Hello dears. I’d like to introduce a new series of guest posts on mochatini. I have planned a line-up of a few inspiring and stylish bloggers. And I am really excited to welcome them here.
Today’s post is by Leela Cyd. Leela is a food and travel writer on a nine-month dream journey through India, Vietnam and Turkey with her new hubby. That lucky lucky girl! She also has a cookbook in the making. You must must check out her yummy recipes on her blog in the meantime.
Hello Mochatini Readers — I’m Leela — a gal from Portland, Oregon but am taking this year to travel with my new husband — writing, photographing, cooking and eating all the while. You can follow my journey (India and Vietnam so far, Turkey on deck) at my blog, LeelaCyd.com.
Touching Vietnam
The textures of Vietnam are as vivid and colorful as they are diverse. Every pagoda, market, restaurant, garden and road-side stop offers up a specific aesthetic, unique to this country. The colors and design qualities of each new place demand to be touched, pondered and soaked in. Observing, thinking and brushing things with my fingertips has taken up the majority of my time here in Vietnam. The place exudes atmosphere, history and magic — what with all the dragons and mist everywhere (it’s actually poring down rain right now), it truly transports the soul to an older era . . . Making it so easy to imagine myself a princess, taking tea in my Mom’s “Pleasure Pavilion” (a gorgeous spot looking out onto a pond in the Hue Citadel), a moment perhaps when dragons and princes dueled in the clouds.
This series of images focuses not so much on the specifics of each location, but on a detail of its surface. I want to illustrate the mood and styling of some of the sights we’ve seen and take note for when we return to Portland and set up an apartment once more. It’s these tiny details of a country that truly inspire me — from an everyday plastic tablecloth (shown in image 7) with a beautiful rose print to the bright gate, laying derelict on the side of the road near a military cemetery, the neutral brown complimenting the yellow so nicely (image 1). I hope that everyone has a chance to visit this remarkable land — full of prosperous and tragic history, bustling cities, beautiful people (I’ve never seen so many cute coats as on the ladies in the North) and lush countryside. There are so many things to see and touch.
Yellow gate near Military Cemetery in the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), near Hue
A young emperor and flags written with deceased family member’s names at Chinese Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City
Dragon vase — there’s such amazing painted porcelain here — at Hue Citadel
Ribbon and coy fish at Hue Citadel
Detail of plants in big pot, Hue Citadel
Dragons at Hue Citadel
Table cloth at ticket-check counter at Kao Dinh Tomb, Hue
Red doors at Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh and traditional Pagoda topper (shown at friend’s house instead of it’s typical home atop a pagoda), also in Ho Chi Minh City
Pink porcelain used as mosaic tiles in Jade Emperor Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh City
- Leela Cyd
Here’s a photolog (+ some info) of my trip to the Abacos, Bahamas last week. Abaco is a quiet and low- key island. Perfect spot for a laid back beach vacation. We stayed at the Abaco Club on Winding Bay. Managed and owned (?) by the ritz carlton, the resort is a destination in itself. Lush tropical plants compliment the white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Really very pretty. Except to dine, shop and island hop, we had very little reason to leave the resort. We spent time lazing about the beach, snorkeling {spotted two sting-rays and lovely coral}, kayaking and sailing. Since the resort is spread out, guests are given golf carts to move about. The beach on the property is gorgeous and you have access to the club’s kayaks, catamaran, snorkeling gear and more. The property also has a golf course, clay tennis courts, fitness center, spa and an infinity pool. Dining options at Abaco Club are limited to Busters on the beach for breakfast and lunch and the Clubhouse for dinner. Both very good. I recommend trying the butternut squash soup and coconut bread. Yum!
busters on the beach
Abaco Club interiors; cabana
Abaco club interiors; cottage
Abaco Club water activities
Eat + Drink: petes {cash only}, curlytails, anglers, wallys, mangoes
Getting around: The Abacos are known to be one of the best sailing and boating destinations. Rent a speed boat from Marsh Harbor for about $150- $200 a day and go cay hopping. You can also hop on a ferry ($25 roundtrip) to take you to the other cays.
Winding Bay is about 20 miles from Marsh Harbor airport. While taxis to Abaco Club are available, they cost about $80 each way so I recommend hiring a car from the airport which is about $70 a day. Renting a car ( $70 a day} from the airport works out to be more economic than taxis which can be about $80 each way. And will give you more accessibility to explore the island on your own.
Currency: 1 Bahamian dollar = 1 US dollar, most places accept USD and give you Bahamian in change.
Electronics; same as in the US.
For more destination info: Bahamas.com, The Abaco Club and Destination Abaco
images: mdh, abaco club
Today, I want to introduce a a new topic related to my love for being pampered, addiction to travel and tranquil interiors – spa escape!
Booking a spa session is one of my must-do especially when I travel. I prefer to book a treatment as soon I get to the destination. Helps with the jet-lag, the sore-back from airplane seats , not to mention that post-spa glow for the rest of the vacation. Even when traveling on a tight budget, I highly recommend booking a session at a well rated local spa.
In buenos aires, I recommend checking out the spa at hotel alvear palace. Plan to spend at least half day there and dont miss the famous high-tea after.
A couple of things that are most important to me when selecting a spa.
Interiors: I feel most comfortable in spas that are designed to promote a sense of tranquility, comfort and relaxation.
Facility: Must be clean, hygienic and equipped with showers and lots of robes and towels. A wet-area {jacuzzi, pool etc} is also a must for me.
Hospitality: I appreciate a spa where staff add to the experience. Its the little details that matter! While most luxury spas offer you the basics and refreshments, I truly feel relaxed in a spa with where staff ensure you are well taken care of. organic products, decaf teas and perhaps champagne… 
Goes without saying – well qualified treatment specialists.
What adds to your spa experience? Do you have a must- have list? Know a good spa that should be featured here? email me! manvi{at}mochatini{dot}org
images: alvear palace + frank grimm
A few days ago, I got an email from the owners of Brook Farm General Store introducing me to their Architects lamp – Le Lampe Gras available their charming store in Brooklyn, NY. I found their store has so much more to offer! They have such cute little home items – hammam hand towels, vintage towels, steak knives, kitchen tools, glassware, blankets, soaps, tool and more. I cant wait to visit the store when Im in brooklyn next.
You can also shop at the Brook Farm General Store online.
Peek into furniture designer + architect Alejandro Sticotti’s oasis in Buenos Aires. A refreshing contrast to the ornate European style baroque architecture in the city.
All the deets and more pics here.
Buenos Aires is a lovely city! I could spend a lot of time there. French architecture, dog walkers, cafe con crema, dulce de leche, bife de chorizo, art, fashion, tango, design..I could go on.. instead I put together a mini-guide to design shopping, good eats, and more.. Hope you find it useful.
getting around: BA is fairly walkable but you will need to hop on the subway {subte} or a taxi to go between neighborhoods. Taxis are relatively inexpensive.
EAT + DRINK
Did anyone say Parilla {grill}? Delish!
minga; costa rica 4528. tel:4833 5775. website
las huazas. website
lo de paka; congreso 2011. tel: 4701-3857 {we loved this neighborhood grill and ate there twice}
don bar. website
miranda; costa rica 5602 esq. Fitz Roy. tel: 4771-4255
dada cafe; san martín 941. tel:4314 4787
Night clubs in BA generally open late {1-2am} and are in full swing till about 7-8am. We went to Pacha and Crobar. For tango lovers, I recommend the Armenia cultural society in Palermo. You might find this link helpful.
tip: Keep in mind Portenos eat dinner pretty late, 9-1030 pm. We used this online guide to scout restaurants
SEE + DO
malba museo
recoleta cemetery
casa rosada
san telmo {oldest barrio in Buenos Aires, PLENTY of independent art galleries}
PROA
la boca – el caminito
polo match
soccer {La Boca stadium}
SHOP BA
buenos aires design; Recoleta
Shops in Palermo
Speciality
palermopaper
Fashion + Accessories
garcon garcia
jasmine chabar
objecto
Peter Kent
ezequielt
las oreiro
min agostino
nadine zlotogora
teran
lamerceria; armenia 1609. tel: 4831.8558
van domselaar; honduras 4802, palermo. tel:4832.5176
sathya; cabello 3849. tel: 4804.7935
Home + Office Design
augustina cerato
blvd
elementos argentinos
raval warehouse
interiorzate
manifesto
urbanovivendi
luz portena; goritti 4656. tel:4831.7178
tip: If you reside out of Argentina, look for the tax free sign in some shops. You get your tax back at the airport.
ps: I will keep adding to this list.
STAY
Palermo, Belgrano + Recoleta neighborhoods. BA apartments for rent.
AROUND BA
Colonia, Uruguay. Take a day trip to Colonia, Uruguay. We took a buquebus rapid boat and it took about an hour and a-half each way. We had plans to go to Tigre and Iguazu Falls but decided to spend more time in BA and leave those for next time.
images: MDH + PDH. dogwalker pic from here
I enjoyed shopping at Buenos Aires Design. BA Design is a furniture, fabric and appliance center housing several designers and brands. It is open to public {read not restricted to design professionals}. I fell in love with these cast iron teapots by Claudia Adorno. I like the Asian influenced style and the color, but what I really liked was the mesh strainer that lets the tea steep but keeps the leaves separate from the tea.
images: MDH
I BIG heart Elite chocolates from Buenos Aires. Especially the ones filled with dulce le leche. We had them at our wedding. {My father-in-law had them shipped here especially for the occasion} I just HAD to get some when we were down there. I cannot tell you how difficult it is to not eat them all at once. YUMMERS!!
images: mdh
We stopped by Raval Warehouse in Palermo, Buenos Aires. This design store refurbishes vintage furniture and transforms them into modern edgy pieces. I was impressed with how creatively their salvaged pieces, especially with this chest of drawers and the chairs.
images: Raval Warehouse
