TROPICAL VACATION WANDERLUST
My husband and I made, what I now consider to be, an un-wise choice to spend the winter at the lake house instead of sunny California. The bad news is that it has been one ice storm after another, football starts much later in the day and restaurants are closed most of the time. The good news is that it has gotten me all hot and bothered to travel to a new or frankly, any, tropical destination.
LUXURY AND ECO-FRIENDLY LAZING IN THE MALDVIES
As I hope you’ve gathered by now, I consider every day to be an adventure. However, being cooped up in the house lest I continue to fall multiple times daily due to the sheet of ice that used to be my patio and driveway, has driven me to plan an adventure extraordinaire. The Maldives are certainly far away and tropical but not the sort of adventure I would generally embark upon. I mean I love to be pampered and swim and look out on the gorgeous Indian Ocean, but I am generally a “do-er” and this adventure did have the potential to be limited due to the splendid geography of the place. My husband, however, is a self-described “lazy socks” and can imagine nothing better than staring into the horizon with a cocktail in one hand and a book in the other (no Kindles here…) for weeks on end. Additionally, he announced that he would not be flying in any sea planes (high anxiety would be a gentle description of his feeling about small aircraft) so I found an amazing spot that will suit the both of us. Gili Lankanfushi delivers it all – eco-friendly - partnered with EarthCheck since 2014 (the leading certification program used by the tourism industry), gorgeous, warm, yummy locally sourced food AND the ability for me to clean coral and collect underwater data (what is that anyway?... an adventure, that’s what) while he does absolutely nothing. Some days I will join him in that non-endeavor. We will be here for 5 days then off to Sri Lanka. Perfect.
SRI LANKAN ADVENTURES
Sri Lanka has been on my bucket list for quite awhile now, so although I am happy to finally get there, I am sad we will only have a week to explore – please note, I have a business to run. We’ve chosen to confine our activities to the southwest coast of the island for this trip, going first to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Galle. It will satisfy my need to explore on foot with walks around the old town, soak in its atmosphere and history and spend some time with local crafts folk. I might even learn how to make lace…. Our sleeping accommodations will be in the magical Galle Fort Hotel where I hope to really feel where I am. After a few days in Galle we’ll venture east and just slightly inland (view of ocean included) to the Malabar Hill Hotel, an ideal destination for both myself and my husband. I hope to be doing day trips to tea and cinnamon plantations and he will undoubtably be sitting at the hotel’s beachfront outpost doing his lazy socks thing. I’m also very excited to take a boat trip to spot blue whales – world’s largest living creatures. I will be scared to death if we actually come upon one but it’ll be worth it!! After that, I’ll collapse in a lounger on the beach. I haven’t even gone yet and I can’t wait to go back to explore the rest of the country.
MY VERSION OF ADVENTURE CLOTHING
Many people think of adventure clothing as hiking boots, biking gear, you know, more utilitarian clothing. Maybe even safari clothes. My definition is decidedly different. It’s the range of clothing we offer at Tiger and the Monkey!! I always travel with one small roller bag and a hand tote. That’s it. So, everything needs to fit in and serve multiple scenarios. Joining me on this trip will be all 5 colorways of our Pareo/Shawl. All five together weigh about 0.25 lbs and take as much space as a nail file. OK, it’s more than that but not much. I’ll wear them as Pareos on the beach, when my hair decides to pitch fit I will tie it back with one and I can whip one out if I get cold on the airplane. The Milena silk/viscose kaftan with the feathers will also join me. Feathers on at night, feathers off during the day (generally…). Gabriella will be a perfect add-on to my bathing suit no matter where I am and our new line that’s about to launch includes a pair of drawstring pants in the same fabric as the Gabriella – unbelievably chic – that I will put on when I want to blow all the other resort guests away. I’ll also bring another pair in white triple cotton gauze that will be perfect for any adventures that require a more covered up look. The Claire 70s inspired triple cotton gauze in our Garden of Eden print will also come along as it is appropriate for any venue and any time of day. The Regina handloomed silk and hand-worked shibori kaftan will also join me as she works anywhere, anytime and is so understatedly elegant. Finally, I will pack the Veronica for its comfort and one of a kind handloomed, hand-worked custom Tiger and Monkey design. People need to know I’m the ringleader.