Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2024 i Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

EARLIER THIS YEAR, I caught in myself the early signs of burnout. It was the unwelcome disruption it would impose on my meticulously curated life that made me pause and reflect. Rest and recovery were not penciled into my calendar. I made a decision then—to climb a mountain. The thought of pausing, of seeking stillness, terrified me. Growing up in the age of hustle culture, the concept of stillness was foreign. How do you soothe in silence when all you’ve known is speed? It’s strange—the lengths we go to in search of solace, the journeys we undertake to reconnect in a world that feels so disconnected. A trip with friends to Annapurna Base Camp turned into the lifeline I desperately needed, where each footstep grounded me, and the solitude was…

Rolex SEA-DWELLER DEEPSEA The Rolex Sea-Dweller is the epitome of performance and robustness in the field of diving watches. First launched in 1967, this line of watches was specially designed to meet the needs of professional divers and underwater researchers. Each Sea-Dweller watch is designed to withstand the extreme conditions of the ocean depths, with exceptional water-resistance and a helium escape valve for diving in a diving chamber. 13,90,022 Hublot KING POWER OCEANOGRAPHIC 4000 This Special Edition of the über-diver, King Power 48MM Oceanographic 4000 is a tribute to the work of the team of scientists behind the incredible ‘Return to Antikythera’ adventure and the futuristic dive suit, EXOSUIT piloted by them. With an astounding water resistance of up to 4,000 meters, the oversized 48mm case features a helium release…

You’ve been a pioneer in advocating the mind-body connection for decades. Looking back, how have you seen the perception of wellness evolve over time? The perception of wellness has evolved over the years through the scientific understanding of epigenetics and neuroplasticity. It is now scientifically validated that our emotions, sensory perceptions, imagination, and thoughts modulate genetic activity at a very fundamental level. Stress creates inflammation and down-regulates genetic activity, increasing the risk of inflation and disease. On the other hand, empathy, compassion, joy, equanimity, and love up-regulate the genes for self-regulation, homeostasis, and healing. These emotions also increase telomere activity, which is directly linked to longevity and health span at a genetic level. In today’s world, there’s a heightened awareness around wellness and mental health. What do you think has…

What prompted you to get into the field of wellness? Two pivotal moments in my life. At one point, I considered pursuing medical school, but I also had this pull toward something deeper—a space that lies between medicine and holistic health. That’s when my mentor at Yale guided me toward integrative and lifestyle medicine, which felt like the perfect bridge. Another turning point was my time in the corporate world, where I observed top executives struggling with lifestyle diseases despite having access to the best doctors, nutritionists, and gyms. They were checking the boxes, yet falling ill. It was clear that something was missing, and that was their lifestyle. That’s what sparked my transition from corporate life into lifestyle medicine. How has the journey of taking people toward their optimal…

What inspired you to start a vegan resto-bar? The inspiration to start People of Tomorrow (POT) came from my travels—I saw a huge gap in the market for vegan food. A few restaurants offered vegan options, but there was no single restaurant doing an entirely vegan menu with extensive choice. Seeing the global boom in veganism also made it a good commercial decision. I have been vegan for a while, but my motivation comes from wanting to be sustainable. Everything we do at the restaurant—our merchandise, events—are all deeply rooted in sustainability. The general conception about vegan food is that it is flavourless. How has your team managed to make vegan food taste so good? As the name suggests, we’ve got all the people of tomorrow to come together for…

THE BATTLE-WORN hippo trotted into the acacia trees, surprisingly light on its feet. Not exactly one of the dancers from Fantasia, but even with layers of scar tissue covering its side, the creature embodied grace and resilience in the bush. Less than 24 hours into our stay at Rwanda’s Akagera National Park—a swath of savanna, swamps, and lakes some 100 miles east of the capital, Kigali—my family and I had already become accustomed to the hippos. Scores of them dotted the surface of Lake Rwanyakazinga, home to Wilderness Magashi Camp (doubles from Rs 1,10,995 per person, all-inclusive), an eight-suite, solarpowered tented enclave on the shore. At night, though I was snug with hot-water bottles in our king-size bed, their harrumphs kept me awake—an insomniac’s dream. But seeing this solitary hippo on…

DURING MY MONSOON trip to Sohra (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya, I visited the breathtaking Mawsawa Falls. At sunset, the falls were particularly enchanting, with the evening light casting a golden glow on the landscape. As I set up my camera and adjusted the settings to long exposure, I felt a deep sense of peace as I captured the fluid grace of the water. The rhythmic sound of the falls and the cool, misty air added to the serene atmosphere. With each adjustment, I felt further immersed in the tranquil environment. When I finally clicked the shutter, I knew the resulting image would not only capture the natural beauty of the falls but also the calming experience of being present in the moment. —SACHIN KUMAR ON HIS PHOTOGRAPH, TAKEN WITH AN APPLE…

What initiated your journey into sustainable fashion and climate activism? In 2013, when I learned about the Rana Plaza Factory Collapse (in Bangladesh), it catalysed my work of looking at fashion through a lens of sustainability and ethics. I spent the next decade working at various intersections: with garment workers in Downtown LA, writing for publications about fashion from a social and environmental justice point of view, content creation online, to photojournalism projects focussed on artisanal communities around the world. I’ve become a frequent speaker on topics of social and environmental justice, minority representation, responsible storytelling, and more. As someone who looks at consumer education from such a fresh lens, what have your travels in India been like? Throughout my travels in India, understanding fashion through the lens of agriculture…

What inspired you to start Kama Ayurveda, and how do you integrate traditional Ayurvedic practices with modern wellness needs? I consulted on a government project that helped align cottage industry natural produce into a brand. While I was trying to integrate this system, I enjoyed the idea of sustainability while working with natural products. So, say one vendor would make an apricot oil, but they would also repurpose the seeds to make a scrub, making for a zero-waste model; that intrigued me. I then visited south India with one of the co-founders and saw first-hand how a traditional Ayuvedic third generation pharmacy works. The pharmacy operates more like a hospital and it’s really a way of life for the locals. They treat the remedies like medicine and swear by these…

TRAVELLERS’ TALES, FROM NEAR + FAR ESTLED BETWEEN THE majestic Karakoram Range and the formidable Himalayas lies Turtuk, a small, picturesque hamlet steeped in history that stands as a testament to resilience, seamlessly blending cultures. Turtuk’s unique location not only provides breathtaking scenery, but also has a profound historical narrative. Originally part of the Gilgit-Baltistan region which later became part of Pakistan, Turtuk was captured by the Indian Army during the 1971 war. This once-prosperous kingdom, stretching across 75,000 square kilometers, is now divided—four villages fall on the Indian side with a population of about 3,000. The village’s history aside, Turtuk has now transformed itself into a bastion of unparalleled hospitality thanks to the resilient Balti community. Life in Turtuk is a celebration of lush greenery and rich culture, set…

“AUSTRIA’S TUSCANY” was my destination: the wine region of Sudsteiermark, or Southern Styria, in the foothills along the Slovenian border. But in this small country known for alpine sports, high culture, and Weiner schnitzel, all roads lead to Vienna. So the day before I set out on a spring driving tour of wine country, I found myself in the imperial city, opening the windows at Hotel Sacher to take in the delicious weather. My elegant suite was a composition of eau de Nil wall fabric, ecru silk curtains, and molded panelling in eggshell hues, and it gave me an idea to try out over dinner. At a relaxed farm-to-table bistro nearby (Restaurant Schubert, sadly now closed), the twentysomething proprietor seated me on the terrace and suggested I let him handle…

A GLOBETROTTER’S GUIDE TO THE LATEST IN TRAVEL 1 SOOTHE YOUR SENSES WITH FOREST BATHING IN JAPAN AND NEW ZEALAND If you’ve been itching to try out a digital detox and unsure where to begin, starting in the midst of nature might be a good idea. Forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku, as the Japanese first coined the term, is nothing but immersing yourself in the sounds of the forest and being still with your thoughts. Unlike strenuous activities like hiking or trekking, you’re encouraged to slow down and savour the moment. Think of it as a walk in the woods, but with more health benefits. In Japan, you can opt for guided forest bathing activities or hire a therapist who can customise your excursion. The country is home to several sacred forests…

TIPS + TRICKS TO HELP YOU TRAVEL SMARTER IT IS A HOT, MUGGY afternoon when I arrive at Miami’s central train station. I’ve spent the last three odd hours comfortably ensconced in a high-speed train, traversing Florida’s evergreen landscapes from Orlando to Miami. It’s peak summer and the city is under a heatwave alert, but that hasn’t deterred thousands of holiday-goers and locals from flocking outdoors. I step out into Downtown Miami, immediately enveloped by the torrid heat, in search of a taxi to take me to South Beach. As I whizz past tall buildings that make up Miami’s impressive skyline and massive cruise liners that are docked in PortMiami, the scenery soon shifts to swaying coconut palms and elegant villas overlooking the calm waters of Biscayne Bay. Located on…

Baroque is an architectural form synonymous with the 17th century. How did you tie its sensibilities with your aesthetic? I’ve always been drawn to textures, and Baroque architecture provided a rich source of inspiration with its dramatic grandeur and intricate detailing. I translated the opulence and bold ornamentation into wearable art, using my signature materials like metallic yarns and cords to create pieces that echo the lavish carvings and fluid forms of Baroque interiors, but with a distinctly modern and experimental twist. It was about merging historical richness with contemporary minimalism. You also dug into your archives for this new India Couture Week collection. Do you always create from a timeless lens? Yes, I always aim to create pieces that transcend trends. Digging into my archives for the ICW collection…

Getting diagnosed with life-threatening ailments can spell doom, but for actor Lisa Ray, it became a testament to her resilience. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009, the former model maintained a positive outlook, blossomed into a vocal advocate for cancer awareness and support, and turned author with a book chronicling her story. In a chat with Bayar Jain, she gets candid about her journey of hope and healing How has your experience of battling cancer influenced your understanding of the human condition? When I was diagnosed, I had to make a choice: think ‘why me?’ or use the diagnosis as an opportunity to redefine my life. [Being diagnosed with cancer] made me a more compassionate person, both for myself and others. I received immense support and blessings from strangers. I…