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Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Inside hidden gem Caribbean island with perfect beaches and city centre that's like stepping back in time
Its lives up to the Beach Boys' classic tune THE BEACH JOYS Inside hidden gem Caribbean island with perfect beaches and city centre that's like stepping back in time STEPPING out of the airport into the warm, almost bath-like climate of Aruba, I wasn't sure what to expect. On paper this was far from the usual type of holiday I would go for. Advertisement 8 Aruba Marriott Resort Credit: Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino 8 Palm Beach at Aruba Credit: Alamy 8 The main pool area of the Stelaris I've never been great at the whole idea of 'relaxation', so a beach break is an absolute foreign concept to me. I'm much more at home discovering new cities or out on the hillsides, rather than lounging next to the sea. But after tucking into a delicious dinner watching the sunset dip over the gentle waves on a table just inches from the shoreline, something started to click. If you haven't heard of Aruba, the stunning sunshine island is located right in the very south of the Caribbean, just off the north coast of Venezuela. Advertisement Known for its appearance in the legendary Beach Boys song Kokomo, it lives up to the ideal imagery conjured up in the sun-soaked lyrics of Brian Wilson. Sister islands with both Bonaire and Curacao, the Dutch colony feels like a tiny stretch of paradise. My partner Katie and I stayed at the stunning Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, a luxurious lodging located directly on the beautiful Palm Beach. Our garden view suite had a lovely, spacious balcony overlooking the main pool area, silhouetted by the looming ocean in the distance. Advertisement The resort has a bustling bar area with excellent nightly performances from musicians, a decently-sized casino, two pools (one of which featured an incredible swim-up bar) and several other bars and restaurants with a great selection of food and drinks. Most notably for us was their beach side restaurant Atari and their stunning sunset dining experience which we enjoyed on our first night. Traveller has great money saving hack that also allows you to experience destinations better The Stelaris has everything you could want from a resort, with its spacious roster of sun loungers and bookable pallapas, to easy access to nearby activities if you feel like trying out something more adventurous. On our first morning we headed out to do just something completely different. Advertisement Making our way to a bay just outside the colourful island capital of Oranjestad, we met up with the lovely crew at Tropical Sailing Aruba. Laying sunbathing on the nose of the yacht with a Caribbean rum in hand as we sailed up stream to the south east side of the island, it was hard not to be taken aback by the beauty of the shifting colour of the ocean. Literally shimmering and shifting from teal to a deeper sapphire, it was absolutely breathtaking. And getting right into that sea was next on the agenda, as we dived off the boat into the crystal clear waters to snorkel and join the amazing aquatic life, including the beautiful blue tang, better known as the Dory fish to Finding Nemo fans! Advertisement GO ARUBA Getting there: Daily flights with KLM via Amsterdam, fares start at £1046 return. Visit Staying there: Marriott Bonvoy, Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, for the best rates visit More Info: For more on visiting Aruba see The strong current helped us work up a healthy appetite and as we very slowly made our way back into shore we were presented with a brilliantly tasty barbecue, grilled to perfection by the boat's private chef. Back at the hotel we took to the water again as we tried out some stand up paddle boarding and windsurfing. Of the former there really is nothing more peaceful than gently cresting pale blue waves towards distant palms, with the cooling island breeze at your back. That is until you end up backside over elbow flying into the water. That didn't stop us from getting back on the board and trying again though! Advertisement The following day we enjoyed an excellent private jeep tour of the island with the brilliant Ross from Isla Aruba tours. Catering the stops to match our vibe, he gave us a great sense of the history and community on the island and let us in on local hidden gems far away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowds. From ancient cave paintings, to animal sanctuaries where you can feed adorable donkeys and secluded secret beaches, it felt like being passed a set of hidden secrets from a friendly, local expert. 8 ORANJESTAD, ARUBA Credit: Alamy Advertisement Now, although it first it didn't sound like my kind of thing, stopping in for a tour of Aruba Aloe company's factory was fascinating. The miracle gel is one of the island's primary exports, right, and an essential to help in recovering from the effects of the sun. As the locals say, it's no joke out there, with even the intermittent clouds between the glorious bursts of blue a bit of a burn risk, as Katie sadly found out on the first day. The capital Oranjestad is a feast for the eyes, with it vibrant coloured buildings — it's like Tobermory on steroids! Advertisement The blend of the modern with traditional gives the city a lot of character and its got a good mixture of big brand name bars and restaurants to make it worth a trip away from your luxury hotel and the glorious beaches. 8 Palm beach in Aruba We loved exploring the local businesses being built up and thriving away from the main resort strip, with places like the excellent Pepe Margo distillery and its collection of rums, gins and other delicious Caribbean favourites a must see. We loved the delicious aloe liqueur (yes that eponymous plant again) which tastes unlike any drink I've had. Works well in a Mojito or mixed with lemonade. Advertisement Despite its tiny size, Aruba packs a punch when it comes to food and has a phenomenal up-and-coming culinary scene. Sure, there's lots of familiar fast food haunts to satisfy its main tourist population of Americans, but why settle for that when the local restaurants are as incredible as they are. For upscale and elegant dining Wilhelmina and Pappillion are the places to be, with the fantastic combination of European and Caribbean flavours. For South American and island fusion, Caya melds a more casual vibe with some out of this world dishes. Advertisement 8 Me and my partner Katie couldn't get enough of the beautiful beaches The top of the list however is the truly incredible Ever Chef's Table, where a group of culinary geniuses guide diners through a stunning eight-course tasting menu with excellent paired wines. Each chef was friendly and chatted to us throughout the dinner, making sure each and every diner got the best experience possible. Having been lucky enough to have eaten at Michelin star restaurants in the past, I can confidently say Aruba is a true hidden culinary gem but I reckon its secrets won't last for long. Advertisement Easily the best part of a holiday here however, is the people. Everywhere you go they are genuinely happy to stop, chat and make sure you're having the best possible time. It never felt forced or fake during our stay and Aruba sure lived up to its name of 'one happy island'. And as for me and beach holidays? With the glorious sunshine, amazing food, and lovely people it's safe to say, Aruba has converted me. Advertisement 8 Chef Christopher preparing our steak
NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Not eggs benny: 11 interesting brunch spots in Christchurch
Dainty For a cafe that's only just turned 1, Dainty has certainly clocked up a lot of mouthwatering moments. The baristas have earned a reputation for delivering a great cup of coffee – as well as some special creations you may have already spotted on your feed, such as toasted marshmallow hot chocolates (a favourite among kids and adults), hokey pokey iced matcha lattes and 'The Melbourne' – iced filter coffee with vanilla, orange and cream. The breakfast menu features some familiar favourites with more interesting numbers squeezed in between: Turkish fried eggs with labneh and chilli oil, scrambled tofu spiked with jalapeno, and a breakfast roll filled with chorizo, scrambled eggs and hash. Grizzly Baked Goods Every time we step up to the Grizzly cabinet, we know we're going to meet something new, creative, and utterly delicious. Whether you walk the sweet or savoury route in the morning, there are plenty of great options to pique your interest, including novelty seasonal specials. Choose from a line-up of flaky pastries, from textbook croissants and pain au chocolat to morning buns and cheesymite scrolls, next to exciting bagels and sammies that pack a punch. Most items are available at all locations – with a few things unique to the space. The Welder has a made-to-order diner menu and Cashel Street is the only place to get buttermilk biscuits. Kokomo A beloved member of The Welder community, Kokomo serves up modernised coastal cuisine from sunrise to sunset. The dishes are inspired by the fresh flavours of New Zealand and the wider Pacific region, and the breakfast and brunch menu is definitely one you'll want to wake up for. Opt for a wholesome coconut and vanilla chia pudding layered with tropical fruit, indulge in a bulgogi croissant with marmite mayo and pickled daikon or – and yes, we're rightfully breaking the rules a bit here – try the prawn benedict. Ngon Ngon Bánh Mì Cafe Next up, we're off to Riccarton Rd. This long stretch of road is famous for its endless selection of Asian restaurants serving up incredible eats for lunch and dinner – but this Vietnamese cafe is extending that reputation to breakfast time too. Sitting alongside beautiful plates of avocado on toast and creamy mushrooms, you'll find fried rice served with an egg omelette, pork dumplings in a shakshuka sauce, and a classic breakfast banh mi filled with sunny-side eggs. Pair your brekky with a Vietnamese coffee, or perhaps a creamy hojicha, matcha or tiramisu latte. Miro Inside one of the city's treasured heritage buildings, Miro is a chic European-inspired retreat. A dream brunch setting all year round, soak up the Parisian setting in the sunny outdoor terrace or head inside where two open fireplaces roar in winter. When it comes to the food, expect decadence – from the omelette served with prawn mousse to braised lamb pie with harissa, and confit mushrooms with burnt eggplant hummus … The only thing that could make this more deluxe? A glass of bubbles. This is definitely one for a special occasion. Posh Porridge Goldilocks may have settled for 'just right', but Posh Porridge strives for something higher. What was once thought of as a boring, beige breakfast staple has proven to be luxurious fare on the streets of Ōtautahi. Posh Porridge draws in a big crowd at the Christchurch Farmers' Market every Saturday, as well as at their small cafe and takeaway shop on Montreal St (open Friday and Saturday). The menu consists of steel-cut oats slow-cooked and then topped with magical combinations, such as raspberry and white chocolate, banana and toffee sauce, marsala-soaked prunes with dark chocolate and walnut crumble, and a range of seasonal flavours. PocaPoca A recent addition to the Cashmere neighbourhood, PocaPoca has captivated the attention of brunch enthusiasts. Some of the menu items, such as the omelette, may read simple here, but the chefs have really amplified the dishes with bold flavours, indulgent ingredients and beautiful presentation. The Maze Udon has already proved to be a standout addition and invites customers to start the day with something new: a Japanese brothless ramen, featuring chewy udon noodles, spicy pork mince and an egg yolk. Estelle There's lots of things served on a thick slice of Grizzly toast at Estelle – but eggs benny ain't one of them. Choose from a simple but very fun menu of nostalgic dishes jazzed up for a modern-day palate. Enjoy smoked fish with pickled currants and rhubarb, a rich lamb, anchovy and pea ragu, and meatball subs on Friday (a very appropriate breakfast option in our opinion). Makan Cafe Bringing the rich flavours of Malaysia to Christchurch's brunch scene, you'll be hit with incredible aromas as soon as you walk into Makan Cafe. Located on Manchester St in the heart of town, Makan is one of the only places in Christchurch where you can enjoy kaya toast: a traditional breakfast served in coffee shops across Malaysia and Singapore. The original dish consists of toasted bread with slices of cold butter and a good spread of creamy coconut jam – but they have a French toast dish inspired by kaya flavours too. We also have our eye on the beef rendang on toast with eggs, pickles and fried shallots, and the golden plate of fried banana served with sambal kicap (spicy soy sauce). Dux Dine At the park end of Riccarton Rd, Dux Dine is a bustling brunch, lunch, and dinner destination known for its exceptional vegetarian and seafood offering. Set in an old quaint villa, the restaurant comes alive seven days a week with guests filling the lush garden and cosy indoor dining rooms. Loyal Dux Dine brunchers will be more than familiar with the pea and halloumi fritters – a legendary breakfast item that has been around since the beginning (and thankfully isn't going anywhere). If your brunch calls for a special toast, there are Dux beers on tap, beautiful NZ wines, breakfast martinis and more.
The Spinoff
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
The mystery of the Goldie AI reproductions hanging in a Christchurch restaurant
Staff at Kokomo said the artworks came from a specific website. The site's owners deny it. So where did the portraits come from – and what are the cultural consequences of displaying them? Nestled on a side street near Christchurch's central city is Kokomo, a restaurant with industrial flair and earthy charm. Inside, a small forest of plants, natural timber, and pendant lampshades create a space designed for slow mornings and long brunches. Above the tables – where patrons sip oat milk flat whites or bite into scallop katsu sandos – hang three portraits of old Māori figures, long passed on. The prints – portraying Ena Te Papatahi (Ngāpuhi), Te Wharekauri Tahuna (Ngāti Manawa) and Te Aho-o-te-Rangi Wharepu (Ngāti Mahuta) – are a focal point for people sitting in their vicinity. The figures will be familiar to anyone even slightly acquainted with historical New Zealand art. Mataora and moko kauae adorn the faces of the old Māori figures, wrapped in blankets on a marae ātea or smoking their tobacco pipe. But the portraits, famously by Charles Frederick Goldie, are not originals. Not even close. They're large, altered reproductions. Ask the restaurant where they came from and they'll say Art Motif. But there's no seller by that name. Reach out to Pop Motif, with similar offerings, and they'll say it wasn't them. 'We've never sold those,' a representative said. 'It's not us.' They suggested another possibility – New Zealand Fine Prints – but that company also denies any link, noting that while they do sell Goldie reproductions, these particular ones aren't theirs. So, where did the reproductions come from? Why are they hanging in a restaurant? And who, if anyone, is responsible? 'They're not artworks. They're reproductions.' At Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, senior curator Māori, Nathan Pōhio, and curator of historical New Zealand art, Jane Davidson-Ladd, couldn't be clearer: these images are not original works, nor are they creative acts. 'They're reproductions,' Pōhio says, 'and we need to be precise about that language.' In other words: taking a portrait, applying a high-contrast filter, and printing it does not make it art. However, the subject matter carries serious weight. Goldie's portraits – many of them depicting Māori elders from iwi such as Ngāti Mahuta and Ngāti Maniapoto – are complex historical taonga. While Goldie was once dismissed by art historians for romanticising Māori as a 'dying race', his works have since been reassessed, partly because of renewed Māori engagement with them. Today, descendants of those depicted often regard the portraits with deep admiration. That admiration is reflected in how the Auckland Art Gallery handles them. 'We follow tikanga Māori,' Pōhio explains. 'That means no food or drink near the portraits, karakia before exhibitions, and consultation with descendants before reproduction or display.' The restaurant setting, then, is clearly at odds with this approach. 'They're in a space where food is consumed – that breaches tapu,' Davidson-Ladd says. 'And I doubt there was any discussion with whānau before putting them up.' Reproducing tūpuna without consent At the heart of the issue is whakapapa. These are not anonymous subjects, but tūpuna with living descendants. Davidson-Ladd notes that even the gallery won't put a portrait online without checking with the whānau. 'Portraits carry mana,' she says. 'And in te ao Māori, the image still holds the essence of the person.' The law, however, doesn't see it that way. Because Goldie died in 1947, his work entered the public domain in 1997. That means anyone can reproduce it – legally. Ethically, it's another story. 'The law has never protected the sitter,' says Pohio. 'It protects the artist. But tikanga Māori should guide us – and that means asking: What is your whakapapa to these people? Why are you reproducing them?' There's another twist in this tale. The images in Kokomo appear to have been passed through some kind of digital filter – perhaps AI, perhaps not – but the telltale signs of artificial intelligence are there: unnatural contrast, distortions in moko, a synthetic sheen. Walter Langelaar, chair of the Aotearoa Digital Artists Network, describes the reproductions as 'low quality and culturally hollow'. If AI was involved, he says, it likely scraped public-domain Goldie images and applied a filter or enhancement. 'Anyone with an internet connection and a printer could've done it,' he says. 'But the results – they flatten nuance, erase identity, and distort taonga.' This isn't new. Goldie has been forged before, most famously by Karl Sim in the 1980s, who changed his name to C.F. Goldie and sold homages under that signature. But with AI, the stakes feel different. 'AI is not inherently unethical,' says Langelaar. 'But it needs context. It needs intent. And it needs consent – especially when it's depicting Māori ancestors.' So why did the Kokomo owners want to display these pieces? Pōhio suggests there may be a deeper irony at play. 'Ōtautahi has seen a cultural shift since the earthquakes. You see more Māori language, more Māori art, more presence.' It's possible, he suggests, that Kokomo's owners intended the portraits as a gesture of allyship or solidarity. 'But intent doesn't equal impact,' Pōhio says. 'And if you want to engage with Māori culture, there's a process. It starts with relationships. Not reproduction.' The restaurant did not respond to detailed questions in time for publication. But the silence itself speaks volumes. As Davidson-Ladd puts it: 'This is an opportunity to educate – not to shame, but to inform. That's how we move forward as Treaty partners.' What do we owe our tūpuna and each other? The ethics of representation extend far beyond one restaurant in Christchurch. As AI advances and reproductions proliferate, the ability to alter and commercialise images of tūpuna is no longer restricted to galleries or collectors – it's in the hands of everyone. That, says Pōhio, is the real danger. 'It looks like a kite in the sky – pretty, but it means nothing. It's disconnected from people, from context, from whakapapa.' Instead, he and Davidson-Ladd urge artists, businesses, and the public to ask: Why am I doing this? Who does it serve? And who am I accountable to? Because in the end, the answer isn't about copyright. It's about culture. And as Davidson-Ladd reminds us, 'tikanga Māori is not optional. It's how we show respect. It's how we show we belong here.'
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Beach Boys are coming to Syracuse
This video is from an earlier appearance of the Beach Boys in Syracuse SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Wouldn't it be nice if The Beach Boys were to perform in Syracuse? Well, you won't have to wait so long, because the group will be back this summer. The legendary rock band will return to Central New York to play at the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview on Sunday, June 29 at 3:00 p.m. It's part of the group's 2025 'Sounds of Summer' tour. Special guest and American country music duo LOCASH will also be joining The Beach Boys. The Beach Boys are known for their hit songs, 'Good Vibrations,' 'California Girls,' and 'Kokomo.' Tickets go on sale starting Friday, April 18 at 10:00 a.m. You can visit this link for more information. Other 2025 Amphitheater concerts: ARTIST: DATE: Dave Matthews Band May 27 Avril Lavigne May 28 Coheed and Cambria May 30 Luke Bryan June 5 The Beach Boys with Locash June 29 Creed July 11 Styx with Kevin Cronin July 14 The Offspring July 22 Little Big Town Aug. 1 Outlaw Music Festival Aug. 10 Cody Jinks Aug. 17 Thomas Rhett Aug. 21 Tedeschi Trucks Band Aug. 28 Hardy Sept. 4 Papa Roach Sept. 11 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former journalist launches NY House bid to ‘unf‑‑‑ our country'
Emmy-winning former journalist Mike Sacks (D) launched a bid Wednesday for a crucial House seat currently held by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), offering a candid-if-profane message for potential supporters: He wants to 'unf‑‑‑ our country.' 'I'm running for Congress to tell you the truth, to fight for New York, and to unf‑‑‑ our country,' Sacks said in a two-minute introductory campaign video posted online, with the expletive bleeped out. According to his campaign website, Sacks is a single father of two who has lived in the area since 2018. He graduated from Duke University and earned a law degree from Georgetown. 'We can't do the same old thing with the same old people,' Sacks said in the campaign kickoff video. 'In Congress, I'll bring our bold ideas to save our democracy. We need to do this now, before it's too late.' The video took direct aim at Lawler, who has represented the Hudson Valley-based district north of New York City since 2023, with a viral clip of the congressman and ally of President Trump reciting a parody rendition of the Beach Boys song 'Kokomo' that Lawler changed to support Trump's push to take over the Panama Canal and Greenland. 'Lawler's playing moderate up here, while voting MAGA down there — rubber-stamping this administration, thinking we won't notice,' Sacks said in the video. Sacks, 42, is the fourth Democrat to enter the race against Lawler. The district is one of 35 seats the Democratic Congressional Committee has targeted to flip in the 2026 midterm cycle. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has rated the race as 'leans Republican.' Lawler reported this week that his reelection campaign raised $1.46 million in the first quarter of the year. 'Two years ago, Democrats cleared the field for a defund-the-police socialist in Mondaire Jones, and he got crushed. This time, their plan appears to be a bloody, expensive primary with an ever-expanding list of candidates fighting to see who's the most radical liberal. Good luck with that!' Lawler campaign spokesperson Chris Russell said in a statement to The Hill on Wednesday after Sacks's announcement. 'Congressman Lawler is rated as one of the most effective and bipartisan members of Congress. He's raising record amounts of money and remains very focused on his job in Washington, which is creating a more affordable, safer and prosperous Hudson Valley for everyone.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
