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Otago Daily Times
12-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Cultural wellness in Bali
Heading to Bali? Travel writer Jacqui Gibson finds five top-notch experiences worth adding to any wellness-themed itinerary. I've taken a seat at Cap Karoso's exclusive Julang restaurant where guest chefs from Japan are preparing tonight's degustation dinner. The French-owned luxury resort is a 90-minute flight from Bali on Sumba Island, a lesser-known yet emerging destination for wellness travellers. Next to me a buff mid-life Aussie couple with glowing skin are discussing their plans for tomorrow, starting with yoga and meditation in the morning, followed by an afternoon of snorkelling and traditional Balinese massage. Life at home is rushed, they explain, so Bali, and now Sumba, is where they come year-after-year to recharge and reconnect. According to research published by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), wellness tourism is now worth $US651 billion ($NZ1.1 trillion) annually and expenditure is expected to grow by more than 15% a year for the next two years. The United States non-profit says wellness tourism is travel defined by a desire to manage, maintain or improve one's health and wellbeing on holiday. It includes everything from basic spa treatments to eating and sleeping well to authentic cultural healing. The latter category is the one that most piques my interest. "As the world becomes increasingly globalised and homogenised, the unique, rooted and deeply spiritual practices of indigenous cultures offer a powerful counterbalance to other competitive wellness travel offerings," notes GWI, a leader in wellness industry research for more than a decade. On a two-week break in Bali and Sumba, I added five cultural wellness experiences to my itinerary. Would doing so help me feel better? Would authentic cultural healing become my new holiday must-do? It was time to find out. Best for clearing the mind Hilton Bali Resort's private yoga class A newcomer to yoga, I wasn't sure what to expect from a private yoga lesson at Hilton Bali Resort. But asking resort recreation manager Gede Wiriawan to organise the session turned out well. Not only did he find me a tucked-away outdoor pavilion (the Kamita pavilion) in which to unfurl my mat and wrangle myself into downward facing dog, he teed up Wayan Supatha, an experienced Balinese instructor versed in the Vinyasa and Asanas disciplines, to ensure I maintained slow, steady breathing and constant movement throughout his 60-minute routine. By mid-morning, as holidaymakers swam in the resort's white-sand lagoon and torpedoed down its 30m water slide, I'd manoeuvred my way through 13 beginner moves and felt a lot better for it. Originating in India and practised worldwide, yoga is especially popular in Bali thanks to the island's predominantly Hindu population, many of whom practice daily. "Bali, especially Nusa Dua, is perfect for yoga," Aditya Eka Saputra, the resort's digital marketing manager explained after my session had ended. "Our warm weather and stunning sunrises and sunsets make it a great place for outdoor yoga, particularly. Combine that with the fact our cultural traditions align with yoga's emphasis on balance and mindfulness and you've got the ideal destination for clearing the mind." Best for ultimate nourishment Hilton Bali Resort's Diwali food festival It is widely accepted you can eat yourself to wellness and I was definitely keen to test the theory during my two-night stay at Hilton Bali Resort. Not one for trendy tonics, I hoped to find ultimate nourishment at the Hilton's inaugural Diwali food festival. A three-night feast held in the resort's roomy Grain restaurant, it showcased Indonesian and Indian dishes from two of the world's most highly-rated cuisines. I started with gado gado, a delicious peanut-sauce drenched salad of steamed vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, tofu, tempeh and sliced lontong (rice cake wrapped in banana leaf), before selecting skewers of sticky sate ponorogo, perfectly cooked marinated grilled chicken served in peanut sauce. "The festival was a chance to really show off the talents of my team and give guests something a bit special," explained executive chef Clinton Webber, the brains behind the festival and the Masterton-born chef who manages the resort's five restaurants. "In Bali, there's a cultural tradition of megibung — the art of Balinese dining — where you sit together to share a range of small dishes set out on a platter. Year-round we offer that experience at Paon Bali, our Balinese restaurant. It's a wonderful Balinese tradition where food creates a sense of togetherness." Best for calmness and relaxation Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa's chakra healing A 90-minute drive north of Bali's main tourist areas is the quiet rural district of Sidemen where two former New Zealand detectives run Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa, an adults-only resort. On arrival, I dived into the resort's extensive spa menu and selected an hour-long chakra balancing session for later that afternoon. Set in a standalone garden complex called Ananda (meaning ultimate bliss), the spa was a tranquil, inviting space of water features, private seating areas and therapy rooms decked out in the dark browns, amber golds and earthy shades of Balinese design. Dressed in a robe and lying face up on a comfy massage table, I was guided through a structured meditation by a local therapist using handheld sound chimes. As the session got under way, he explained each chime had a healing effect that aimed to align all seven of my chakras, starting with the root or stability chakra at the base of my spine before slowly moving up my body to my third-eye chakra, representing intuition, and, finally, the crown or intelligence chakra. "In Hinduism, chakras are seen as the body's energy centres. We want to open them for optimum emotional and physical wellbeing," he said as my mind drifted off and I began to feel a deep sense of calm and relaxation. Best for 'me time' Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa's traditional Balinese massage As other guests headed into Sidemen Valley for morning cooking classes or whitewater rafting, I hastily returned to Ananda the following day for more "me time" at the spa. Opting for an hour of traditional Balinese massage, I chose a local frangipani essential oil from the oil range on offer and headed into my therapy room. Balinese massage, I came to learn, was a kind of deep tissue massage, defined by long strokes, aimed at calming nerves, improving circulation and relieving tense muscles. Given more time at Samanvaya (three nights, I decided, was not enough) I'd like to have tried Ananda's signature massage, which added 30 minutes of foot reflexology to an hour of Balinese massage. And I may have gone all out and booked the Shirodhara treatment, combining Balinese massage with a head and hair treatment where warm ayurvedic oils drip on to the forehead, scalp and hair. It sounded quite dreamy to me. That said, body scrubs using local spices such as cinnamon, cloves and ginger and guided Balinese meditation were other tempting treatments on offer. Best for enlivening the senses Cap Karoso's Weekuri saltwater lake tour At Cap Karoso beach resort on Sumba, an Indonesian island off Bali, I chose an active wellness experience. A French-owned resort dedicated to introducing guests to the unique local Marapu culture, Cap Karoso's guest programme listed a range of village tours. I signed up for a walking tour of Weekuri saltwater lake, an ocean-fed lagoon enjoyed as much by Sumbanese as by domestic and international visitors. About 10 minutes' drive from Cap Karoso in the resort's private van, the tidal lake was a good place to peruse market stalls set up near the carpark entrance and stroll the lake's rocky, forested edges. I followed my guide along a trail to a lookout suspended over the Indian Ocean and back to stairs that led down to the waterhole. Climbing down the stairs and slipping into the turquoise lagoon, I bobbed around chatting to a couple of fellow swimmers from Sumatra. What an amazing spot and a sublime way to enliven the senses, we all agreed. More information Getting to Bali: Air New Zealand flies direct from Auckland to Bali. Book online, at: Staying in Bali: Hilton Bali Resort is set on the edge of a white sand lagoon in Nusa Dua district. Learn more at: Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa in rural Sidemen Valley is a 90-minute commute from Denpasar Airport. Book online at: Getting to Sumba: Domestic carrier Wings Air flies direct from Bali to Tambolaka Airport in Sumba. Book online at: Staying in Sumba: Cap Karoso is a five-star beachfront hotel in Sumba. Learn more at: — The writer travelled to Bali and Sumba independently and was hosted by Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa and Hilton Bali Resort.
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Forbes
Five Reasons To Visit Cartagena Colombia Now
Aerial view of Sofitel Baru, just a 30 minute boat ride from Cartagena Sofitel Baru Cartegena Colombia offers visitors many things including culture, world class cuisine, inventive cocktails, birding, shopping and ocean breezes. Best of all, this South American destination is an exotic escape that doesn't require travel with multiple connections and long layovers. It's just a mere four-hour nonstop flight from Atlanta. Whether you are coming for the vibrant cultural life or a coastal getaway, you'll be able to get down to the business of vacationing right away. These are the five must-do things for any visit to this natural and cultural paradise. Combine the best of both worlds with a stay at the (1) Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort which is a 30 minute luxurious catamaran ride from the airport. The French-owned Sofitel property brings a European-inflected level of service and quality to this sprawling enclave of restorative Caribbean vibes with five pools, a (2) gleaming white sand beach, full-service spa, and five different restaurants. Guests can tuck into the serenity here or hop on the resort's private catamaran for a ride into town to spend a full day shopping and exploring. The resort will even arrange a night at the Sofitel in Cartagena should you wish to make an overnight of it. Regardless, you'll be able to enjoy all that Cartagena has to offer and retire to your luxe digs overlooking the cerulean waters at the end of the day. Baru Suite at Sofitel Baru TICO 3PALACIOS Mornings start with the trill of birdsong as this region is well known for its abundant avian life—indeed, Barú is home to a biodiverse ecosystem with one of the largest populations of butterflies and bird species in the world. (3) Book a visit to the nearby Barú National Aviary, where you'll get up close and personal with flocks of flamingos, peacocks and bossy macaws. After a morning of birding, perk up with one of the resort's immersive Colombian coffee tasting experiences and a lunch at the beachside food truck El Manglito (it sounds casual, but the quesadillas, tacos and fresh cocktails that emerge from this tiny kitchen are delightful). Be sure to book a fine dining experience at Humo where dishes influenced by Colombian, Peruvian and Japanese cuisine are prepared over a robata grill. Fill the rest of your time with a rum tasting, cooking class or spa treatment. The days will go by quickly so plan accordingly. A dish of lobster with local cherries kimchi sauce, chives and Carantanta at Celele restaurant in Cartegena KKB Book a guided tour of Cartegena's (4) Getsemaní neighborhood—one of the city's vibrant, even slightly edgy, cultural centers with a host of art galleries, restaurants and shops. The streets are alive and colorful with muraled walls and doorways overgrown with bougainvillea vines. Some of the city's best dining is here as well, including a restaurant that must be on your list: (5) Celele—voted one of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants. The menu is both homage to soulful Caribbean flavors and impressive technical artistry. Dishes are almost too beautiful to eat, but you must. Orejero fritters are a marvel—made with duck confit, smoked duck tartar, moringa mayonnaise, pickled cucumber and a savory orejero hoisin sauce. Local artisans supply the plates, napkins and glassware and the humble but vibrant interiors keep the mood light and playful—even though intense work is going on in the kitchen. Stroll through Cartegena's Old City, or Ciudad Amurallada, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most well-preserved colonial city in Latin America. The charming streets and alleyways make for a wonderful boutique shopping immersion. Finish your visit with a stroll through Parque del Centenario (Centennial Park), where you'll hopefully spot the city's most popular residents—a sloth and golden tamarind monkeys.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chaos at Alpine as F1 team boss resigns ahead of expected Jack Doohan axe
Chaos at Alpine as F1 team boss resigns ahead of expected Jack Doohan axe Oliver Oakes has resigned as team principal at Alpine F1 team in a chaotic development at the French-owned outfit. Oakes, who only joined Alpine last summer from a role at the Hitech F2 team, has backed Australian driver Doohan since the start of this season. Yet with Doohan set to be replaced by Franco Colapinto for the next race – the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola – the British executive has surprisingly left his role at Alpine after just six races of the 2025 season. Executive adviser Flavio Briatore – the former Renault boss who rejoined the team last year – will take over team principal duties. ADVERTISEMENT A team statement on Tuesday night read: 'BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Oliver Oakes has resigned from his role as Team Principal. 'The team has accepted his resignation with immediate effect. 'As of today, Flavio Briatore will continue as Executive Advisor and will also be covering the duties previously performed by Oliver Oakes. 'The team would like to thank Oliver for his efforts since he joined last summer and for his contribution in helping the team secure sixth place in the 2024 Constructors' Championship. 'The team will not be making any further comment.' Alpine are ninth of 10 teams in the constructors' championship with just seven points from the opening six races.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rival F1 team cops unprovoked swipe over 'incompetent' Oscar Piastri move
McLaren boss Zak Brown has taken a swipe at Alpine for letting Oscar Piastri leave the team with the Aussie leading the drivers championship after five races in the F1. Piastri has overshadowed his teammate Lando Norris to start the 2025 F1 season having won in China, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to lead the drivers championship on 99 points. Brown has allowed Piastri and Norris to race as competitors this year, despite the perception Norris was the No.1 driver in the team. Although Piastri has emerged as a potential world champ with McLaren taking an early led in the constructors race. And basking in their early success, Brown has taken a dig at rival's Alpine for letting Piastri slip through their fingers. Piastri was part of the development team at the French-owned outfit and the F2 champ was made to bide his time. When Alpine's Fernando Alonso stunned the F1 world and announced he had signed with Aston Martin, Piastri was announced as the replacement driver. However, the Aussie infamously took to social media and denied the move and it was later announced he had made the move to McLaren to replace Aussie Daniel Ricciardo. Alpine's apparent indecision over the skilled driver appeared to cost them and Brown has reminded them of their miss. Speaking on The Race podcast, Brown took a dig at former Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer after the team fumbled the Piastri deal. 'Lando [Norris], we brought up through the ranks; Oscar we identified as the next Lando,' Brown said on the podcast. 'They [Alpine] kind of dropped the ball there. Thank you, Otmar! We were able to bring Oscar on board, and he's done a fantastic job. We have two unbelievably competitive drivers.' Alpine and McLaren clearly do not see eye-to-eye after Piastri's high-profile move and Brown's comment won't smooth over any lingering tension. Piastri's exit from Alpine came after his contract situation was sorted out by the FIA Contract Recognition Board. Alpine believed Piastri was under contract, but it was deemed McLaren were free to sign the star leading to criticism. Szafnauer has since blasted Alpine for the 'incompetent' fail on their behalf and said he wasn't responsible for the drama. 'There was a contract after he finished his F2 career where Alpine had an option on Oscar Piastri as a Formula 1 driver for Alpine, and that contract was never executed,' Szafnauer revealed on the High Performance podcast. 'In November, there was a two-week time window where it could have been done, and it wasn't. Now my point is, come the CRB [Contract Recognition Board], where Alpine lost because the filings were incorrectly done, we put out a press release, and the press release has my image on it. 'So number one, nothing to do with me. I wasn't even there. But number two, the communications department that didn't report to me thought it was a good idea to deflect the incompetency of those that were Alpine at the time by putting my picture on the release." Regardless of how he landed at McLaren, Piastri has now earned a contact extension after helping send the team to the top of the drivers constructors. Piastri will also look to extend his lead at the top of the drivers championship this weekend in Miami. While Piastri has historically struggled in the Miami GP, McLaren are flying and are favoured to take advantage of the conditions.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
Illegal migrants used to repair EDF solar farm
Illegal migrants were employed to repair storm damage at one of the country's biggest solar farms, it has emerged. Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers raided energy giant EDF's Porth Wen solar farm in north Wales after reports that migrants had been hired without work permits to help repair hundreds of damaged solar panels. The solar farm, on Anglesey, suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage when a storm ripped through the 190 acre site in December. French-owned EDF Renewables – which runs Porth Wen solar farm – hired logistics company Telsol to carry out the repairs. Immigration officers who raided the site on March 20 arrested 16 individuals for working without permission at the site. The Home Office said two of the workers were over-stayers in the UK and 14 had outstanding asylum claims. Following the raid, Telsol was issued with a Home Office referral notice, warning the company that it could be liable to pay a fine of up to £60,000 for each illegal worker. London-based Telsol, which is run by Omer Ineyici, a 49-year-old Turkish national, is understood to have had around a month left to run on the contract when Immigration Enforcement officers carried out the raid. EDF Renewables said it was liaising with its contractors to review its processes and 'ensure more stringent measures are in place'. A spokesman said: 'As a responsible company, EDF Renewables takes its legal obligations seriously and expects all its sub-contractors to comply with the law. In this particular case, EDF Renewables was not aware that the workers hired by our subcontractor may have been working at the site without the required permission. We have fully co-operated with the authorities and provided them with all the necessary information and support.' Sources on Anglesey said locals had spotted workers they did not recognise heading to the solar farm in cars bought locally and began to suspect they were illegal migrants. 'None of them were able to speak any English, which started ringing alarm bells in the locality,' said one resident. Another, who asked not to be named, told The Telegraph: 'The guy who had the contract to repair the damage ran a tight ship. He's now looking at a big fine, but no one else would have done the job. It was the middle of winter and conditions were terrible.' Whitehall sources said people working illegally may be victims of organised gangs responsible for smuggling migrants into the country for jobs in the black economy. A Home Office spokesman said: 'Organised immigration crime is a multimillion-pound industry, which stretches from the trafficking routes thousands of miles away through which people are brought to our country to the high streets across the United Kingdom where many of those people end up working illegally. 'As part of our plan for change, this government is cracking down on that criminal industry at every level, including stepping up our visits to car washes and other businesses where illegal working is taking place, and increasing our enforcement action both against illegal workers and the people who employ them.' Rhun ap Iorwerth, member of the Welsh Senedd for Anglesey, spoke of his concern at the situation at Porth Wen. He said: 'There has obviously been a significant failure on behalf of the contractor and sub-contractor in ensuring a rigorous process of due diligence was undertaken prior to hiring workers on the site.' He said that workers being hired without the necessary work visas was 'very alarming' and that his office has been in contact with EDF 'to better understand how employment law was allowed to be flouted in such a way'. The Porth Wen solar farm, capable of powering more than 15,500 average UK homes a year, was given planning permission in 2017, in the face of local opposition to a development of that size. Concerns over the arrests came as The Telegraph revealed that only five people have been convicted of piloting small boats across the English Channel this year, despite more than 6,000 migrants making the journey. Opening the Government's border security summit last week, Sir Keir Starmer said that 24,000 people who 'have no right to be here' have been returned since Labour took power. Just over 6,300 of these were 'enforced returns', with the rest leaving voluntarily. Telsol declined to comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
