Bear on runway forces flight cancellations in Japan
A bear running around the runway at Japan's Yamagata Airport has forced staff to cancel flights on Thursday. Traps set up near the runway have failed to catch the bear but will remain in place, according to airport officials. Flights departing from and arriving at Yamagata Airport on Friday are operating as usual.
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Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
The Changing Landscape Of Safaris In Tanzania
Safaris allow travelers to get close-up encounters with a variety of animals. getty A safari in Tanzania offers a front-row seat to one of the most amazing wildlife encounters in the world. With a plethora of game—including lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffe and zebra—the country delivers a blend of adventure and jaw-dropping beauty. Every moment on safari here feels like a live-action documentary. Elewana Collection, a brand of boutique lodges, camps and hotels, recently opened the Serengeti Explorer, the first lodge of the new Explorer by Elewana collection. Located in the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Serengeti Explorer is nestled high up on the Nyaboro Hills, with views that stretch for miles across the surrounding plains. The hide is an ideal spot for photographers to get some action shots of animals drinking from the watering hole. Elewana The property is home to the Serengeti's first ever on-site hide. The appeal of that is that people can view wildlife without travelling. Accessed through an underground tunnel from the lodge, the hide allows people to witness nature at play as animals visit the nearby watering hole throughout the day and night. Serengeti Explorer Elewana 'We created sanctuaries in the wild that offer a host of contextual experiences, rather than your traditional safari experience,' says Alina Haq, Director of Marketing and Communications at Elewana. She explains that what makes Elewana unique is that each property is different. 'We don't have a cookie cutter approach, they're all in very specific locations for very unique reasons. Each property has its own personality and delivers its own set of unique experiences.' When it comes to targeting a specific type of traveler, Haq notes that the idea with Explorer by Elewana collection is to be accessible to a broader audience. 'We've got the hide, we've got the photo studio, so it's a perfect place for photographers, but at the same time, the property works for multi-generational families, for first time safari goers, and for those who prefer a concrete structure, as opposed to a canvas one.' The property is hoping to attract a range of photographers, both novice and seasoned, to the property due to its hide. 'If you want to learn about photography, you have the opportunity to do that—we have the equipment and lessons for people to really explore their talent.' The property will have an editing studio, travelers can rent out photo equipment, and the property also has photo lessons by in-house experts. 'I don't know of any other properties that are doing this,' says Haq. She notes that they are paving the way to something new in the safari space. 'I would definitely say it's one of a kind.' While there's currently only one Explorer property, there are two more in the works. 'One of the reasons we created the Explorer brand is because we saw a gap in the safari market,' says Haq. 'There are budget properties and ultra high-end, but the market is missing the in-between.' Explorer serves to fill in that gap. 'What's interesting is safari, for many people, is one of those bucket list holidays,' says Haq. People intend to come just once, but there's something about being on safari that's more than just a holiday. For many, it's life changing so people end up coming over and over again. 'I think we're going to be seeing past Elewana guests coming through Explorer,' says Haq. At the same time Haq notes that Explorer is attracting a completely new audience as well. Other properties in the Elewana portfolio Arusha Coffee Lodge Elewana The name Elewana is Swahili for harmony and understanding and it's that brand ethos that resonates across their properties. At Arusha Coffee Lodge, often a stop at either the beginning or end of a Tanzania safari, 30 plantation houses dot the on-site coffee fields. A luxurious and relaxing lodge, one of the the most popular areas of the property is the Shanga workshop. Shanga Elewana Shanga is the Swahili word for beads and the Shanga program is a social enterprise empowering people with disabilities. 'We have more than 60 employees and most of them have disabilities—including those with hearing, speech and physical challenges,' says Obadiah, a guide who gives daily tours of Shanga to tourists. 'We give them support, because a lot of people with disabilities have a hard time finding a job.' Obadiah explains that Shanga teaches employees different skills—like glass blowing, painting and beading. The art objects that are created are then sold in the Arusha Coffee Lodge gift shop and the money goes back to the enterprise. 'Shanga is a self-sustained project,' says Obadiah. 'We don't have government support.' The products made at Shanga are very eco-friendly. For example, they make shopping bags from recycled newspapers and dream catchers from recycled glass. The glass-blowing team collects bottles from businesses and schools. The furnace for melting the glass is powered by recycled engine oil. Serengeti Pioneer Camp Elewana For a tented camp experience, the Serengeti Pioneer Camp, located in south central Serengeti within the Moru Kopjes is an intimate safari experience with only twelve accommodations. Each tent has its own private en-suite facilities including a flush toilet, vanity basin, and shower. The tent interiors are designed to paying homage to the mobile camps of the 1930's. Rhino tracking safaris are available. Elewana 'The location is what sets this property apart from other safari camps,' says Remsi Sungwa, General Manager at Serengeti Pioneer Camp. 'Not only are the views amazing, but you can't see any other camps.' Sungwa points out that since the camp is located in the Moru Rhino Conservations area, there's a good chance travelers will get to see these magnificent animals. 'Even people that are just relaxing at camp, enjoying a drink, they will look through the telescope and they might stumble upon a rhino walking around.' During the great migration people can see hundreds and hundreds of wildebeest. Sungwa notes that on game drives in other parts of the Serengeti, you might see a bunch of vehicles around one animal sighting, like a lion. 'Here, around the Moru area, it pretty much feels like a private game area—with lots to see and few other vehicles around to share the experience.' The landscape, a combination of kopjes and plains, also make for stellar sunrises and sunsets. 'You see the pink, the orange, the red, all the colors light up the sky, it's really an amazing experience,' says Sungwa. It's not uncommon to see lions, elephants, giraffes and other wildlife walking along the plains at dawn and dusk.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Old China Cafe: Charming heritage Nyonya cafe in Chinatown since ‘97 with spicy fried rice & must-try pai tee
Back in the heart of Chinatown once more, I found myself drawn to a quieter corner; this time for a taste of Nyonya fare at Old China Cafe. Tucked along the same road as the ever-popular Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam (which, true to form, was swarmed with diners yet again), Old China Cafe offered a welcome contrast. As I weaved past the crowd spilling onto the pavement, I was quietly grateful to be heading somewhere a little more serene. Inside, only 3 aunties were seated. Bliss. Stepping through the wooden doors of Old China Cafe felt like slipping into someone's heritage home. Perhaps your Peranakan grandma's, if she had a flair for vintage posters, framed calligraphy, and woodsy tones. The space was snug, softly lit, and thankfully air-conditioned. Seated beside a standing unit, I was nearly lulled into a midday nap. While the menu featured no pork or lard (from what I could see, at least), they did serve alcohol quite openly which was a bit of a curveball. Out of personal beliefs, I enlisted my ever-reliable colleague for the tasting duties— just to be safe! Now, on to the good part: the food. Since Old China Cafe specialises in Nyonya cuisine, expect a colourful blend of Straits Chinese and Malay flavours. We had our eyes on the Nyonya Laksa and Buah Keluak Fried Rice, but with only one of us eating, we kept it simple: one main, one snack. Our choice was a safe but satisfying option: Nyonya Fried Rice with Fried Chicken (RM17.90), served as a lunch combo with a cold drink. The plate arrived with fried rice, turmeric fried chicken, shredded fresh cucumber and carrot, sambal belacan, and a papadom. The warm and inviting aroma greeted me first before anything else, reminiscent of your classic Indonesian nasi goreng. My dining partner took a bite and was immediately caught off-guard by the heat. 'You'd love this,' she said, fanning her mouth. The rice was robustly seasoned with red chilli and onion paste, soy sauce, and probably a bit of oyster sauce. The veggies were fresh, though pickled ones might've added more punch. The sambal belacan was a blend of raw chillies, fermented shrimp paste (likely untoasted), and lime juice. Butter Kaya Kopitiam: Chinatown's must-visit coffee shop for pandan kaya lava toast, buttermilk clam noodles & jumbo rojak rolls The fried chicken, sadly, was on the dry side. It mostly tasted of turmeric and salt despite the visible bits of fried spices. The papadom lacked crunch and leaned softer than what she would have liked. Still, the dish held its own as a hearty, flavourful lunch. I had scanned a few Google reviews beforehand, and one recurring favourite caught my eye: the Pai Tee (RM17.90). The top hat shells were definitely larger than what I was used to, with a unique shape as well. We filled them with the jicama filling, raw minced garlic, Hainanese chicken rice chilli sauce, and cilantro. The jicama mix was mushy but nicely seasoned with green beans and fried shallots. It wasn't oily or soggy, which lent a satisfying bite without overwhelming the palate. The shells were crisp, and each bite packed a balanced medley of flavour and texture. While I didn't sample the dishes myself, I trusted my colleague's verdict. She's far pickier than I am, after all. And although her spice tolerance is on the gentler side, she was confident that fellow spice lovers like me would enjoy the fried rice even more. She'd gladly return, and even declared it far better than Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam. Taste is, of course, subjective… but perhaps it's time we gave Old China Cafe the appreciation it truly deserves. Expected damage: RM11.90 – RM17.90 per pax Din Sun Kopitiam: Must-try affordable dragon fruit dim sum, salted egg bun & chee cheong fun in Chinatown The post Old China Cafe: Charming heritage Nyonya cafe in Chinatown since '97 with spicy fried rice & must-try pai tee appeared first on
Entrepreneur
2 hours ago
- Entrepreneur
JSW Ventures Leads INR 40 Cr Round in Villa Rental Platform StayVista
The funds will be used to expand operations, strengthen the team, and enhance customer experience. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. JSW Ventures, the venture capital arm of the JSW Group, has led an INR 40 crore investment round in villa rental platform StayVista, with participation from existing backers DSG Consumer Partners and Capri Global Family Office. The funds will be used to expand operations, strengthen the team, and enhance customer experience, according to the company's official statement. Founded in 2019 by Ankita Sheth, Amit Damani, and Pranav Maheshwari, StayVista offers a curated selection of luxury villa rentals, primarily comprising second homes owned by individuals. The company currently operates 1,000 properties across 85 locations, having served over 1 million customers to date. "StayVista is the largest player in the space and is well-positioned to benefit from the growing demand for alternative accommodations," said Sachin Tagra, Managing Partner, JSW Ventures. "It's a capital-efficient business with significant growth potential." Co-founder Pranav Maheshwari added, "We aspire to make StayVista not just India's largest villa hospitality brand, but also the go-to platform for alternative accommodations." StayVista's model provides a win-win for both homeowners and travelers, allowing property owners to monetise their second homes while offering unique stay experiences. The Indian vacation rental market, currently valued at USD 22.3 billion, is projected to grow at 9% annually, reaching USD 34.1 billion by 2029, driven by rising disposable incomes and flexible work trends. JSW Ventures focuses on early-stage investments in tech-led startups, with a portfolio spanning healthtech, agritech, fintech, and AI-powered enterprise solutions.
