http://www.bagan-lodge.comRead more about Kurt's sharing about Bagan and newly launched hotel of the group - the Bagan Lodge.

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KurtWalter
After half a century of isolation
from the world, Myanmar has
finally opened its doors and
there’s no better time to go than
now. We speak to Kurt Walter,
Group General Manager of
the Apple Tree Group, about
Bagan as he knows it and the
group’s newly launched hotel
in the historic heart of Bagan.
by denise kok
Q What were your first impressions
of Bagan?
The sheer number of temples and ruins, the
absolute beauty of Bagan and what it offers
is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. On
my first morning there, I went for a run. Every
road I passed housed yet another temple or
ruin. Visiting Bagan is not unlike taking a trip
back in time, to see ancient Burma as it is.
Q Why did the group decide to roll out Bagan
Lodge as a tented luxury lodge?
We wanted to do something unique with
the design. The hotel’s designer used much
of the local brick that is classic in Burmese
architecture and common in rural Myanmar.
To add a touch of adventure, we went with
tented roofs — evoking the spirit of Kipling’s
world through design.
Q Do you have a favourite place to visit
in Bagan?
Of course there are popular temples such as
Ananda Temple and gilded Shwezigon Paya,
but there are so many smaller temples that
are equally spectacular. My advice is to get
up early and go for a walk or a drive.
Q Tell us about your favourite Burmese dish.
There is a wonderful dish called mohinga
— a soup featuring fritter, eggs and fish. The
ingredients change depending on where you
are in Myanmar. Overall, the food here is
delicious, boasting lots of fresh produce and
local spices.
Q What tips would you share with a traveller
visiting Bagan for the very first time?
Be adventurous. The people are incredibly
friendly and there is so much history and
culture to discover in Bagan, on the shores of
the Irrawaddy, and across Myanmar. Bagan
Lodge is perfectly situated for guests to fully
explore the entire area.
Brunch on the bundOn the weekends, brunch is undoubtedly the first order of the day. There’s no
better way to kick-start your engines than with a jolt of bubbly from two-for-one
Mimosas served at Shook! Restaurant and Rooftop Terrace’s newly launched
Mimosa brunch. The two-course menu — three if you layer on dessert ­—
satisfies with classic brunch and lunch items. Think salmon tartare with
avocado and ginger miso rose sauce; and eggs served in a multitude
of ways — poached and wrapped in prosciutto, soft-boiled
with salmon caviar, and more. 5F&6F,SwatchArtPeace
Hotel,23NanjingRoadEast(Bund19),Shanghai,
China.Tel:+862123298522;www.
shookrestaurantshanghai.com
Elysium
Redefining notions of paradise is the Laucala
Island, occupying its own 12 sq km kingdom
in the Fiji archipelago. The island, served by
its own airport, has 25 luxuriously appointed
residences, each designed with a nod to
traditional Fijian style. If true luxury is marked
by excess, then Laucala Island reigns in this
Hook,
line, and
sinker
Dive calendars fill up
quickly when you’re in the
Maldives, but check in at
Angsana Velavaru and you
can complement your dives
with fishing trips that go
beyond dangling bait in the
ocean. Sail out on a night
fishing expedition and you
might just bring home a red
snapper, grouper, jack fish
or sea bass. Those gunning
for an adrenaline rush can
take on big game fishing
in the deep waters. An
experienced crew will
be on hand to guide you,
or better still — flick the
shutter on that grand
photo opportunity.
South Nilandhe Atoll (Dhaalu
Atoll), Republic of Maldives.
Tel: +9606 760 028;
www.angsana.com
Brave new
world
Vinophiles looking to discover South African
vintages will be well cared for at One&Only Cape
Town. Besides boasting a beautiful property, the
hotel is also home to one of the most diverse and
extensive wine cellars on the continent. The cellar
is stocked with 5,000 bottles ­— ranging from Old
World to New World labels — but it’s the South
African wines you’ll want to devote your time to.
Let Head Sommelier Luvo Ntezo take you through
award-winning labels as well as undiscovered gems
little known outside the region. Ntezo also leads
the hotel’s ‘Wine & Dine’ programme, a monthly
showcase of wines from the continent. This month
sees a line-up from the Neil Ellis estate before De
Grendel Wines take centre stage in May.
Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
8001, South Africa. Tel: +2721 4315 888;
www.oneandonlyresorts.com
To
market,
to market
Each Sunday, Tong Chong
Street transforms into a bustling
farmer’s market known as Island
East Markets. The market brings
together around 50 stalls, ranging
from local farmers in Hong Kong
to purveyors of artisanal coffee
and craft beers. More than just a
celebration of food, the market
also gives local designers a
chance to showcase their wares.
With the line-up of stores rotating
on a weekly basis, gourmands
can look forward to filling their
baskets with new discoveries.
Tong Chong Street, TaiKoo Place,
Island East, Hong Kong.
www.hkmarkets.org
category. With 300 staff at your disposal,
five restaurants, a top-notch wine cellar,
organic farms, and a world-class spa — all
flanked by pristine beaches and turquoise
lagoons – there’s no reason to head back
into the real world.
Tel: +6798 880 077; www.laucala.com