“Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream.” John Lennon

Are you addicted to stress, do you create your own brand of anxiety? We’re all guilty, as adults we judge, criticize, and doubt everything we do, with that kind of mindset we’ll never find contentment, but with time and practice we just may be able to find a saner way of life.

Have you ever watched children at play or applying themselves to a new task? They focus on what they’re doing and forget about everything else about them, it’s beautiful to watch, they‘re unconcerned about time or place, and the possibility of failing does not even enter their little heads. We need to reach in and reconnect with our inner child. Stop nurturing anger, grief, fear and the anxiety that is hurting us. Start by changing your perspective, alter your expectations and appreciate the people you have in your life. Don’t let stressful occasions such as Christmas or birthdays upset you. Live fully in the moment and try not to concentrate on the negative.

After a long flight home many years ago, I became very ill and took quite a while to recover, during my convalescence I was suddenly filled with a wonderful feeling of peace and well-being, I was calm relaxed and happy just to sit and listen to the sounds about me. I took long restorative naps and spent time alone thinking of nothing. When I recovered, I embraced my friends and family with renewed strength and calmness. It doesn’t take a serious illness for you to appreciate the small things in life, but sometimes we need a little jolt to remind us of what we have.

To help you reach a healthier level of sanity, learn how to breathe properly, by taking long deep rhythmic breaths that raise and lower your abdomen. Master the technique of mediation, start out small, five minutes a day and build on that. Eat a healthy well-balanced diet and eat with family and friends, walk each day, and smile and laugh. A technique I’ve found useful is mental visualization, a sort of holiday for your mind in which you imagine your own private paradise in precise detail, it takes practice but really works!

Stress and flying make for poor travelling companions. Some people are okay with flying but I know many frequent flyer’s that go the whole white knuckle route, for them flying is a tension filled drama.  Remember you can’t control everything, so practice letting go. Put your faith and trust in the pros around you and lose yourself in a good book, music, or a movie, preferably one that isn’t a horror movie or involves an air disaster in the plot.

Most airlines advise their passengers to drink lots of water, which is sound advice, but I prefer a few glasses of champagne or wine, always guaranteed to help you relax and put you to sleep.   Keep warm and comfortable especially your feet, create your own personal cocoon, if the noise of the aircraft bothers you use earplugs or better still focus on the sound around you until your brain becomes bored and filters it out naturally. Believe it or not I find turbulence comforting, like the rocking of a ship, practice your deep breathing and relax the muscles in your entire body one by one, whilst visualizing your perfect destination.

Our modern day world is full of anxiety and tension; by focusing our energy on proven relaxation techniques we can improve the quality of our health. We all deserve to find peace of mind and a calmer saner way of life!

What is your preferred way of relaxing, please share.

If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath. Amit Ray

The Balé, is a unique boutique resort located on the hillside of Bali’s fashionable Nusa Dua area of Bali, overlooking the Indian Ocean, walking distance from white sandy beach of Geger. The resort boasts just 29 immaculately designed pavilions, each with a sleek modern interior and refreshingly simple garden, blissful daybed and its own private pool.

As a Friend of Elite you are entitled to a 30% reduction on the room rate with no minimum stay requirement. Airport transfers and a 6pm late check out are also available at no extra cost.

Its ‘no children’ policy allows a couple to really be a couple, and spend every moment reconnecting with each other. Superbly trained staffs are your personal 24hr butlers and pleased catering to your every need. Guests may want nothing more that yoga each morning and a massage each afternoon.

Personalised meals, private BBQ and candle light dinner are personally arranged by Hamish Lindsay and his culinary team using organic produce whenever possible and only serving fresher produce at all times.

The retreat offers the perfect romantic getaway from the pressure of life, and the change to relax and revitalise in style.

To find out more about this incredible Elite Resort, visit The Balé today!

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“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” Ruth Reichl

When travelling, eating street food can be an exciting adventure, or a major mistake, but an experience you should not overlook! In Asia, street food is all about the culture and ingredients of the region, if you really want to taste the best food in town, head for the streets.

First light was not long off as we arrived at the train station in New Delhi. We were taking a train to Agra for the day to see the iconic Taj Mahal. My apprehension grew as an anaconda line of passengers hustled, stepping over sleeping humps in their wake. It was already hot and steamy, and with great relief we found our names on the manifest and boarded the train. Once we got moving, the next obstacle to overcome was the persistent food vendor, who would not take no for an answer. We finally realized the food came with the cost of the ticket (what strange foreign idiots would refuse food already paid for) so gingerly we took our little bundles of foil wrapped food and examined the contents. Mmm… Not so frightening, poori, fried Indian bread, accompanied by a spicy vegetarian patty, which turned out to be delicious!

Born out of desperation, the food vendors in India are squeezed into any little hole in the wall. The food differs from region to region and the selection is as vast as the country. Some favorite’s I’ve been tempted by and lived to tell the tale, Puri Puri…delicious fried dough balls filled with spicy potato and chutney, Aloo Tikki…curried chickpea and potato pancakes, Dosa…rice flour crepes and Bajji…deep fried vegetables. In Calcutta they have Rice Hotels, really just tiny portable vendors selling a cheap rice and curry meal.

When we first moved to Singapore, street vendors were quite common, as were hawker centers, one of our all-time favorites was the Satay Club. The Satay Club, quite a posh name for what was just a sprawling outdoor restaurant, served nothing but delicious satay. Housed in a bare allotment, where the Esplanade stands today, we had many memorable evenings with families, friends, and visitors to Singapore, gorging ourselves on chicken, lamb, and mutton satay with the most moreish peanut sauce I’ve ever tasted. It was embarrassing at the end of the evening when the satay man came around and counted up the sticks…did we really eat that many, not to worry, it was about 20 cents per satay, so who couldn’t afford to wolf down a few more!

Indonesia offers a movable feast with vendors on bicycles…Makanan. Satay and rice are great standbys, the satay man fanning his hot coals in his grubby vest and longi is a common sight throughout Indonesia. In Bali you will find many carts serving all sorts of fruit, drinks and snacks, but my fave’ place to eat local, is the road side Warungs, try the Fish Satay…Satay Ikan, or Balinese Chicken with spicy sambal and lime. Ayam Goreng…fried Chicken and Nasi Campur, banana leaf, noodles, chicken, peanuts and coconut. Suckling pigs are everywhere, but not for the faint hearted. For the veggies amongst us, the deep fried Tempeh…fermented bean curd is delicious.

In Japan, there are oodles of noodles…Ramen, Udon, and Soba. Yakitori is also a popular snack on a stick. Japan invented food on the go with their ever-present Bento boxes. The Philippines are another country that is fond of food on sticks, as well as other obscure snacks that I could never get my head around, let alone my teeth, like Balut, duck egg fetus, I’m sorry, but I’ll leave that for the extreme food adventurers.

As the sun sets in Thailand up pops the car park restaurants. Here you can try anything and everything from Pad Thai, Thai curries, satay, meat, veggies and noodles, the original plastic bag meals.  My all-time favorite, Tom Yum Kung with rice, is an unadulterated taste of Thailand in a dish!

The Dai Pai Dongs, literally street side stalls, in Hong Kong sell anything you can put on a skewer, they also have the most heavenly dim sum, wonton noodle soup…silky egg noodles with yummy shrimp wontons, steamed buns with BBQ Pork and delicious seafood dishes, but be warned, the street stalls are disappearing fast, so you may have to search a little on your next visit!  In Vietnam it’s all about the Pho, delicious soupy noodles another popular dish is Com Tam, a yummy broken rice dish, and of course you can’t leave without trying the delicious Banh Mi…traditional Vietnamese sandwich.

Street food is not about comfort or ambience, it’s about taste, authenticity, and adventure. Do a little research before you travel and use your common sense…go where the locals eat, choose one dish vendors, make it a movable feast and walk between stalls for each course, avoid flies, rubbish and have a sneaky look to see how clean the utensils, cooking pots and storage area is, if it looks dodgy, hightail it out of there to some place more salubrious!

Do you have a favorite street stall when travelling? Do tell!

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world” JRR Tolkien

“Dreams… they are never in the place you expect them to be.” Shirley Valentine.

Recently I’ve encountered a growing number of young women, and women of a ‘certain age’ who for one reason or another, have chosen to journey through life without a partner. Throughout Asia more and more young women have decided on careers, rather than a more traditional role.

Most girlfriend getaways revolve around a spa, yoga, or shopping, and who wouldn’t enjoy a luxury retreat doing just that, but a growing travel trend is ‘women only packages.’ Women are expert at striking a balance between adventure, luxury, and a desire to be themselves. Many of the women only travel experiences fulfill a need for something a little different from the usual girly getaways.

I’ve never really learnt to ski well, in fact I think I hold the record for the most number of ski lessons one can take in a lifetime, so for me a women only ski camp sounds enlightening. So what if you fall down time and time again, the other girls won’t laugh they will offer you all the encouragement you need, so less humiliating than in front of a man!

Perhaps you would like to indulge in a little nostalgia, reliving the carefree days of your youth at an all-girl camp, with walks on the beach, kayaking, creative craft and painting, yoga, meditation, as well as nutrition and wellness coaching.   If you’re looking for an epic change in your life, why not try trekking in Nepal, horseback riding in Mongolia, learn to surf in Australia, snowboard and ski in Canada, or perhaps trekking in the beautiful English countryside, with dinner and wine by the fire of a traditional manor house, this is sure to bring back the color to your cheeks. The combination of a challenging new experience, relaxation, and luxury surroundings is certain to be monumental in building self-esteem and confidence!

If you already have an establish group of girls to share a getaway with, try thinking out of the box and do something a little different. How about renting a villa in the South of France or Tuscany in Italy, or perhaps a luxury villa in Bali, Sri Lanka, or Thailand, complete with a gourmet chef and resident masseuse. Women are choosy when it comes to spending their hard earned cash and are selective about safety, superior accommodation, and quality inclusions.

You don’t have to be at a major crossroad of your life to consider an all-girl vacation, but if you are it can’t hurt. Travelling with women can balance your emotional well-being. Women are expert at accommodating each other’s individual needs, and a little girl talk and lots of laughter is always uplifting!

Note to first timers, make sure it’s an all women vacation, I had a friend who went on a tour to Vietnam with two girlfriends…one unfortunately got sick and could not continue… the other met the man of her dreams and left her all alone for the rest of the trip… Plan carefully!

Do you have a favorite girlfriend getaway you would like to share?

“I’ve fallen in love with the idea of living.” Shirley Valentine

This special offer allows you to stay for 3 nights but only pay for 2 at this secluded island hideaway of 48 timbered villas, the resort is framed by white sand beach on one side and the centuries old virgin jungle on the other. Hillside private villas reflect the simplicity of the Borneo architectural style.

As sensual and exotic as the hibiscus flower that bears its name, Bunga Raya Island Resort is a romantic and luxurious jewel set on a coral reef island off the coast of Borneo. A secluded island hideaway of 48 timbered villas, the resort is framed by white sand beach on one side and the centuries old virgin jungle on the other. Hillside private villas reflect the simplicity of the Borneo architectural style.

Discover the resort’s tranquil surrounds, take a refreshing dip in the resort pool, enjoy an intimate picnic on the beach or set sail from the resort’s marina with Blue Water Sailing. Further immerse yourself in the relaxing seaside atmosphere with an indulgent spa treatment at our onsite spa or tempt your tastebuds with a delicious feast of fresh local seafood at our Merretts restaurant.

To find out more about this incredible Elite Resort offer, visit Bunga Raya Island today!

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LOFT looks to uncover the latest international hotspots and serve them up with expert advice on where, what and how to buy.

Snooping into some of the world’s most beautiful properties, LOFT also features stunning interior ideas and practical advice on how to best decorate your home.

Subscribe today to get LOFT Magazine delivered free to your door four times a year.

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To provide a better service to you, we’re introducing a password and username for your Friend of Elite account. This will allow you to update your details and opt in or out of certain communications.

Click here and log in to update your details and preferences to ensure you get the best out of your Elite experience.

We hope you enjoy the exclusive savings and benefits of being a Friend of Elite – the finest together.

The Food and Wine Events have a ‘Round the World’ theme this year, with cuisines from France, India and Italy on offer. Spend a delightful evening with your favourite guest chefs such as Rick Stein, Pete Evans or Nic Poelaert. As a Friend of Elite, you’ll be entitled to a Deluxe Suite when booking a Suite.

Guest Chef Pete Evans + Neudorf Vinyards at Kauri Cliffs 12 – 14 April, 2013

This is going to be one fabulous weekend of laughter, food and fun at The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs! Award-winning Australian chef, author, and TV personality (My Kitchen Rules) Pete Evans joins with his mate and chef/partner in new Melbourne restaurant Little Hunter, Gavin Baker for a special dinner at The Lodge of Kauri Cliffs, along with one of the country’s top wineries, Neudorf Vineyards.

Dom Perignon Champagne Event at Kauri Cliffs 1 June 2013

We are excited to welcome this new event to the line-up in 2013! Dom Perignon’s reputation of excellence paired with Kauri Cliff’s award winning food will make an unforgettable experience. Enjoy Chef Barry Frith’s 5-course cuisine while tasting some of the world’s finest French champagne.

Bastille Weekend with Guest Chef Nic Poelaert at Cap Kidnappers 13 July 2013

Join talented French chef Nic Poelaert from Melbourne’s popular new restaurant, Brooks of Melbourne. Enjoy a fabulous French degustation dinner paired with exquisite French wines from Louis Roederer and Maison Joseph Drouhin.

Guest Chef Neil Perry Italian Dinner at Kauri Cliffs 27 July 2013

Famous restaurateur and Australian native Chef Neil Perry joins The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs to share his latest passion of Italian cooking. Neil will win you over with his favorite delicious dishes from his latest Melbourne restaurant, Rosetta.

Pinot Noir Dinner with Felton Road and Dry River at Kauri Cliffs 17 August 2013

Arguably two of New Zealand’s best producers, Felton Road and Dry River wineries will come together for the Ultimate Pinot weekend. Join winemakers Blair Walter and Ant Mackenzie for a special dinner prepared by Dale Gartland – a must for Pinot fanatics!

Celebrity Chef Rick Stein at Cap Kidnappers 22 – 24 August 2013

Famous chef, restaurateur and television personality Rick Stein returns to The Farm at Cape Kidnappers for an exclusive Indian cuisine dinner. Back from a recent trip to India, Rick is excited to share his favourite authentic dishes and stories from his recent travels. Make sure to be a part of this intimate and exciting weekend at “The Farm” with Chef Rick Stein.

Bell Hill Winery Dinner at Kauri Cliffs 7 September 2013

Marcel Geisen and Sherwyn Veldhuizen’s North Canterbury vineyards might be the best kept secret amongst the wine cognoscenti, but they are among the country’s best! Enjoy Chef Barry Frith’s superb menu alongside Bell Hill wine pairings for an unforgettable wine dinner at Kauri Cliffs.

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From SGD 479.20++ you can enjoy a luxurious stay in Singapore’s leading five star resort Capella Singapore when you book only through ResElite.

Book by 8th April and received a 20% discount off Best Available Rate and breakfast for 2 persons, stay period is until 20 December 2013. Black out date applicable.

As an Elite guest you’ll also received the following -:

• Welcome amenities upon arrival
• Complimentary wireless Internet access in-room and across the hotel
• Complimentary in-room refreshments inclusive of bottled water, juices and soft drinks
• Complimentary light snacks and refreshments served through the day in The Library
• Complimentary access to The Library which carries a vast collection of reading materials, board games and CDs/DVDs
• Complimentary 5 pieces pressing per stay
• Capella Personal Assistant service
• A selection of newspaper delivered daily
• 24-hour access to Fitness Centre – exclusively for Hotel guests
• Usage of the 3 outdoor cascading infinity pools that overlooks the South China Sea
• Complimentary admission charge to Sentosa for guests in residence
• Preferred tea-off time given to Capella guests to Sentosa Golf Club, one of Asia’s Top Championship Golf Destinations. Service is available at an extra charge.

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There’s an old saying, “Bread is older than man”

Growing up in the West, who doesn’t remember a childhood filled with the warm sweet smell of baking bread! Bread has always been a staple of our diet, but throughout the world it’s also of great cultural significance, a simple loaf of bread can offer the traveler a key to understanding local customs and the ingredients and grains available.

My first venture to France I fell in love, not only with the city and her irresistible charms, but also with her bread. A memory, forever etched in my box of recollections… early morning air weighted with the scent of fresh croissants from the local boulangerie. If I was given a choice my last meal would consist of a French baguette, slab of cheese, and a bottle of wine!

In most parts of France going to the boulangerie is a daily ritual. We were staying with some good friends who had located to a small French village outside Nice, each day our party of men would eagerly trot off to the local bakery to bring home the bread for breakfast. I became suspicious when they started fighting over who would go each day. I happened to chance by the shop and found all our menfolk, lined up like testosterone fuelled school boys, hoping to catch the eye of the baker’s very attractive daughter! She was a stunner, resembling a young Ava Gardner; they were mere males after all, and the smell of fresh bread, a real aphrodisiac!

The only other location where I have had bread equal to that in France is Vietnam. The Bakers there have held on to the long tradition of French bread making, a legacy of French Colonialism. The Vietnamese baguette or Banh Mi as it is known locally, has a crisper crust and is lighter and airier than her French sister. The fillings are quite different, using local ingredients such as soy, coriander, pickled daikon and carrots, and a variety of specially prepared pork and chicken, for the vegetarian traveler they have a delicious tofu version and a special breakfast Banh Mi filled with seasoned scrambled egg…scrumptious!

In Italy the variety of bread is once again staggering, with bread often becoming the main meal as with Pizza, Panzanella soups, and Focaccia, traditionally made with olive oil, sea salt and rosemary. In many Christian countries bread is a symbol of devotion. At Easter we have delicious Hot Cross buns, In Russia, Kulich is a favorite, rich with raisin and almonds. The Italians can live all week on Colomba, a dove shape Panettone. Baking bread at traditional times of the year brings not only a devout feeling, but also a feeling of well-being and security within the family.

No meal in India would be complete without a basket of Naan to soak up all the other goodies. I became a complete glutton for the buttery pillows laced with garlic and cooked on a searing tandoor…simply irresistible. So too Malaysian Roti Prata, the first Roti I ever had was made by a small boy with very dirty hands, in a rough shack by a polluted river. He mixed the egg and dough directly onto a well-seasoned griddle. We pulled apart the layered pastry, dipping it into a fiery curry and forgot all about our surroundings…heaven!

Baked fried or steamed I could write a whole book about bread…white and fluffy steamed buns, Bao in Singapore, with a dizzying variety of fillings, or Chapati the perfect flat bread and ideal receptacle for food, no cutlery required! So too Yorkshire Puddings, the rich batter soaking up the flavor from the roast meat it is cooked with. I can never resist a New York Bagel smothered with cream cheese and Lox, or my mother’s Sunday morning pancakes, with golden syrup… innocence and delight!

With only a handful of ingredients, and a generous dash of creativity, cultures around the world are able to appreciate their own identity through the homely ceremony of bread making, but universally one essential ingredient you can’t leave out is…love!

“A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou.” Omar Khayyam