DEPARTURE LOUNGE MAY 2011 £2.19

MINI CARIBBEAN GUIDE FIND thE pERFECt DEstINAtIoN FoR yoU

pRINCEss IN EXILE

shoRt LoNDoN CIty BREAK Go GREENwICh: A LooK thRoUGh thE pAst

AIRoRt LoUNGE: MEEtING oF thE MINDs

A shoRt sIt DowN wIth DAvID KNIGht

look inside

for essential travel tips and airport reads

May 2011

FEATURES

3 the perfect island paradise awaits

LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE, ISOLATION, FUNFOR THE WHOLE

FAMILY , ON A BUDGET, THERE’S AN ISLAND FOR YOU

5 lOndOn thrOUGh the eYes Of the past. GREENWICH WITH A HISTORICAL TWIST

9 A PRINCESS IN EXILE

DEPARTURE LOUNGE

10 interView with a hYpnO-therapist IT’S ALL IN THE TONE OF VOICE, KNIGHT SAYS

11 HELPFUL TRAVEL TIPS IDEAS WHEN TRAVELLING WITH KIDS

12 AIRPORT READS TO WILE THE TIME AWAY

Letter from the Eiditor

Life is all about the jour-ney, the people you meet along the way and the places you have been to. Some of the joy and wonder has been taken out of travel through invasive aiprort securiy measures, and the like. The month’ s issue of the Depar-ture Lounge will breath a little fresh air into travel Whether you are sip-ping ruma and coke on a sun drenched beach, taking a kip on the hammock, it is perfectly alright to admit that sometimes you need to escape the winter months for the tropical climes of the Caribbean. Fear not, for there is an island for you, that matches your palette and your wallet. Included inside is also a short forray into south east Lon-don. Had a lovely day in Green-wich (the w is silent, or so I’ve been told) outside of the typical tourist destinations. I always love how as modern London is, there is always a historical twist. With the fervor about the Royal Wedding passed, take a look inside of a life of a Libyan Princess exiled from her country.

Editor

Angel Aboud

COVER IMAGE COURTESY: GOOGLE IMAGES A street in Havanna, Cuba.

2 THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE MAY’11

The perfect island paradise awaits, what-ever your whim

A bevy of isles stretching from the south east of the Gulf of Mexico, east of Central America and north of South America, the Caribbean has different flavours to suit

whatever your whim.While the Caribbean arrogantly boast

some of the world’s most breath taking beaches, rich in colour, vibrant in sea life, a veritable tropical paradise. A mini vaca-

tion here could very well be more than just fun in the sun. The islands are as di-

verse and varied as its people.

There is an island to complement what-ever the taste may be, if money is tight,

Cuba is the best option. If adventure is the preference, Tobago is your choice. If the

family is tagging along, Guadeloupe is the French isle to pick. If a quiet place to relax

is your wish, Nevis will grant it.

CUBA

Lobster dinner for fewer than ten quid? Staying in a colonial style villa for a £15? Cuba delivers on all counts, grand enough to fulfil any island life fantasy at an atypical Caribbean price. Perhaps, organizing accommodation in a stranger’s home may be slightly unusual, but Cuban Bed and Breakfasts are gener-ally the cheapest place. The ambiance is a homey bonus. When in Havana, swal-low the nerves and try the street food, it is guaranteed to excite the palette rivalling the kitchens of any other establishment. Public transport is the best way to get around the island.

The next step is to choose a beach, avoid the Atlantic-facing resorts and travel to the southern coast with the blue-green waters of the Caribbean Sea. For the best scuba diving, playa Giron is white sand, coral walled beach of choice for divers. The Hotel Playa Giron hires scuba gear

for £21.

So underwater ogling completed, venture 300 kilometre down the coast, for more beach and culture at Trinidad: a pictur-esque cobble stoned lined street, Colonial houses and one of the country’s most recognized restaurants, Estela. Feast on platters of meat, fish and lobster for £6.

One can’t be a true tourist in Cuba with-out experiencing the Revolution in some way; every town has its own museum devoted to the cause. Even though mod-ernization is slowly creeping in, this sunny isle will always dance to its own beat.

“Experience stunning Cuban cool, amidst half a century of rollercoaster history without depleting your bank account.

MINI CARIBBEAN GUIDE

PHOTO ABOVE: CALLE ROJAS, IN HAVANNA, CUBASOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES

GUADELOUPEF you have the family and kids in tow, there is no avoiding the expense, so the simple justification is that- how can I put this?- educational. This irregularly shaped island is one of the few french speaking islands in the archipelago. One can till get the danc-ing, flavour, colour, music and rum but there is also the chance for the kids to practice conjugating french verbs while pick-ing up their coconut ice cream. The island has two very distinct sides, the east side, Grande Terre is flatter and drier and the west side Basse Terre is much wetter. The southern edge has the white sand-ed, palm fringed beaches that are packed. This is the island’s hotel and tour-ism section. On to Bouillante and the Plage de la Malendure, on the west of Basse Terre lies the tell tale grey sand volcanic beach. This is the part where the family can have a gander around the shops, and a bite, and

get fitted with scuba gear. Now, be ready to tackle the diving sites made famous by Jacques Cous-teau. Basse Terre has miles fo lush tropical for-ests to explore. More than worth the sweat. If you have the stamina to hike up the 15600m volcano of La Soufriere, the panoram-ic views atop is simply stunning. Pay no attention to the sulphurous smoke spewing. To be safe and to make the most of the trek, try Zion Trek, www.ziontrek-guadeloupe.com. Each island has its own history. This will be a good lesson for the kids. The Caribbean is more than just pretty beaches and scorching sun, they each have real pasts to overcome. At Mououba, marks the spot where 300 followers blew themselves up rather than yield to Na-poleon’s reintroduction to the slave trade.

PHOTO TOP; LA SOUFRIERE, BOTTOM: PLAYA DE LA MALENDURESOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES

THE

FOR ALL YOUR TRAVEL NEEDS

BOOK WITH THOMAS COOK 01244 323027

If this is your island of choice, it is safe to say that you are in very good company. The Sunshine Beach bar, a hidden gem whose wall are adorned with the likes of Bob Marley, and Beyonce, to drop a few famous names. Nevis has had somewhat of inter-esting story of romance and tragedy. In 1787, a sea captain named Horatio Nel-son was wed to a local planter’s daughter. The sulphur spring claimed all four of his limbs, where the Bath Hotel is currently located.

Fast forward to this century, this tiny 8 km wide island was voted among the world’s top three honeymoon destinations. The allure has remained because of its continuous isolation. Part of the isle’s appeal also comes from its exclusivity, mostly thanks to the limited hotel rooms available on the island. The key to the ultimate solitary vacation is meticu-lous planning. These rooms do not stay empty for long.

NEVIS

PHOTO ABOVE : PINNEY’S BEACHSOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES

5 THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE MAY’11

TOBAGO

Perfect for the few who prefer to travel inde-pendently, perhaps not always in luxury but combining genuine island life with a subtle dose of culture. Tobago is the sister isle to the twin republic of Trinidad. Compared to the faster paced oil magnate, Tobago is the rural backwater place. In order to reach Tobago, plan for an overnight stay in Trinidad’s capital, Port of Spain. Keep in mind that through recent years it has formed comparison to Kingston, not in an entirely positive way. Scarborough, the capital of Tobago is completely different. The ferry from Port of Spain drops passengers in a jovial, bustling mini port.(list of ticket agencies on www.patnt.com, £47 return) Another way to get to Tobago is to fly in from Trinidad. The only airport is in Crown Point, home to some of the larger hotels. It usually carries a cost of £30 return for travel between the isles. Upon disembarking, prepare to be assailed on all five senses, Soca music will be play-ing in market stalls laden with fresh fruit and other delicacies. At this point, the pace of life is slower, the locals adopt a live and let live approach, with a very healthy dose of food ap-preciation, and a great place to start sampling the cuisine would be the local vendors. Bear in mind, the vendors enjoy a bit of bargaining. Indian food on the island is vastly different culinary experience than any other place, one that must be savoured, try the traditional work-ing lunch called roti- a blend of curried meat,

potatoes, wrapped in thin bread. The Roti Hut should be a discerning travellers first stop for

fuel. Exploring the rest of the island is simply a matter of hopping on the bus network to the leeward coast, where there is a string of coastal communities on the north. Castara is a popular fishing village, the idyllic stop for food, more beaches and where one learns the concept of “liming”. To the islanders of the

twin republic, a lime is simply passing the time elegantly loaf-ing about. It is serious business though: a mix of skilled idle-ness, passionate public speak-ing, gregariousness and blatant lady watching, it might take a few days to master. Running along the leeward side, there is also Charlottes-ville, Englishman’s Bay. It is

simply too easy to allow the whole holiday float by while coasting the calm shores of the west side.The windward side faces the Atlantic hereby the coast-lines lean more to-wards the rugged side, while still

able to maintain the relaxed vibe that the island is known for.

“ Liming- Islanders has mastered the art of shooting the breeze. The trick to liming is simple, all that is needed: friends, rum, and a venue.”

TOP: MAN BLOWING CONCH SHELLBELOW: STINGRAY IN A REEF.

London is one of the world’s most vis-ited international cities. It boasts a wide variety of cultural festivities that attracts millions annu-ally. It is not too hard to see when you consider the diverse spectrum of attractions, top-notch museums and galleries. Only in this truly amaz-ing city would one be able to gaze at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at the National Gallery for free or take a trip to St. Paul’s Cathedral for Europe’s largest crypt or even taking in a Shakespearean play in one of the many theatres. To a first time traveller in London, a few destinations should be made a must see, such as Piccadilly Circus, the London eye, Madame Toussard’s wax museum to name a few of the typical tourist spots. London is constantly evolving, even for the most experienced traveller. There is always something new and interesting to discover, a hidden nook in the city to venture for the more seasoned explorer. Getting around London has never been easier, with its vast subway system, to the locals known as the ‘tube’. As good a place as any to start on this off the beaten track journey is Greenwich: the home of the international time settings, and also to the Old Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Park to name a few. Greenwich Park is the oldest royal park in London, enclosed in 1433 and then after a few centuries later opened to the public in the eigh-teenth century. Located just near the park is the Old Royal Observatory, which was designed in 1675 by architect Christopher Wren, as a Charles II wanted astronomers to accurately measure time at sea. Visitors can see the 28-inch refrac-tor telescope, boosting one of the largest in the world. Even if you don’t have any interest in space exploration, this is a must see.

After a spot of space exploration, head to the Greenwich town centre with its plethora of quaint maritime shops and antiques done in the Georgian and Victorian style dating back to the eigh-teen hundreds. British history is riddled with blood, gore and royal treachery and this South Eastern hamlet amidst the bus-tling London is no exception. The only church, south from the river Thames, was named after an eleventh century archbishop of Canterbury. Kidnapped and transported to Greenwich via boat, he was then bludgeoned to death with the bones of captor’s buffet, all because he refuted the paid ransom. The church was first constructed in 1012, the infa-mous Henry VIII was baptised there in 1491. The crypt was used as a shelter for hundreds of locals, during the Sec-ond World War. For the traveller with a penchant for literary trivia, George Orwell commented on the stench of the crypt with the live bodies. Taking a break from the macabre, head over the King Williams Walk and Park Row, have a pint at Trafalgar Inn, one of the London’s most famous riv-erside establishments that bragged the patronage of novelist Charles Dickens and Harrison Ainsworth. By the turn of the twentieth century, the pub’s popu-larity was fading and hereby was conse-quently converted to a seaman’s hostel. It is an impossible feat to experience all London has to offer. Be a nerd, talk a walk through the past.

South East London GreenwichA leisurely stroll through history

EXILED London is almost always in the news for one reason or another. At the end of April, it was the venue of Prince William and Kate’s Royal Wedding, bil-lions watched. It is also the refuge of London born, Libyan Princess Alia Idris al-Senussi. Her father, a member of the Royal Libyan fam-ily was exiled in 1969 in the aftermath of the coup that General Gaddafi staged. Born in Washington DC, she spent part of her childhood scattered every-where from Cairo to Rome to Geneva. Despite having never stepped a foot on her home soil, she is still able to connect to her roots and the Arab world in general.A visit to Libya has remained impossible.

Source: Google images

She works in the Tate’s Middle Eastern and North African acquisitions commit-tee. “I would love to be a part of the future of Libya,” she says. “ I love to think I could be a part of forging posi-tive social policy there through arts.”

THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE MAY’11 9

DEPARTURE LOUNGE TRAVEL SPECIAL

INTERVIEW WITH A HYNOTHERAPIST AIRPORTS by definition provide a meeting ground of people from all over the world. Imagine the sheer volume of travellers that pass through an airport at any given time? The numbers are staggering. In England, heathrow and Gatwick are two of the main international airports in the united kingdom, which sees over 40 million.The airport, or global meeting point as it should be known as, is the one place that the world is quite literally at your feet. Imagine a long queue, there is a long layover before you go to the next leg of your journey, I almost guarantee that they will be at least four conversations going on around you, and you would not understand any. Furthermore, the hours spent in waiting, could be used productively. There is no telling who you might meet.

This month’s airport lounge meeting is with the hypnotherapist’s David knight.

The flight is delayed for another two hours, there is a palpable tension in the air, one can almost feel the exhaustion in the atmosphere. And sit-ting next to me is David Knight. A Yorkshire born and bred 46-year old lad who discovered a pas-sion for hynosis at the age of 26, and has been in the field for the past two decades.

What first attracted you to learning hynosis and hynotherapy?

DK: Well, at first i was really skeptical, so I took it upon myself to try and learn as much as I could. I borrowed books and found a few course and I enrolled, basically on a whim. I guess the more I found out, the more I wanted to know more. So it just went from there.

what kind of courses did you study? How long were they?

DK: I studied hypnotherapy at the British Acad-emy of Hypnosis for six months. It was a combo of books and classrooms and practical experi-ence. I then went on to complete another six months course in Stage Hypnosis, just because it seemed like it would be interesting. I trained as a hypnotherapist for four years.

As a hypnotherapist, what kind of patients did you come accross?

DK: I saw mostly people who wanted to quit smoking. It would take abour 3-4 sessions a week apart before they noticed a difference. I also get alot of people who come to see me with chronic pain. Pain is registered in the brain, through hypnosis, people can get relief. The most rewarding patient was a 19-year old boy who was agoraphobic, he could not get out of his house, I worked with him for a while and now he has a job and girlfriend. So it does work.

I know you’ve done stage shows, what’s the difference and where have you performed?

DK: The difference is that stage is much deeper and faster, it more for a show, entertainment. I have performed in 36 countries... Greenland, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, to name some.

What as been your greates achievement so far?

DK: (shrugs bashfully) I have the world’s speed record for most people hypnotised, I put 37 people under in a minute.

DEPARTURE LOUNGE

TRAVEL SPECIAL

TRAVEL TIPS AND ESSENTIALS Some travel essentials:1) SIM CARD- if you are travelling by yourself, it would be a good idea to invest in a cell phone

2)PUBLIC TRANSPORT MAPS- The maps will keep you organized and moving in the right direction, dollars well spent.

3)COMPRESSION BAGS- Use these bags and you will fit significantly more in your suitcase. Beware though, overpack-ing comes with a steep price.

4)GUM- Chewing gum relieves the ear pressure that builds up over long haul flights.

5)SMART PHONES- There are a bunch of useful apps that can be downloaded, like translater, alarm clock, GPS.

6)UNIVERSAL CHARGERS- Who doesn’t travel with their digital arsenal in their back pockets, investing in a good charger keeps all out gadgets powered up.

7) KINDLE- Granted these are relatively new on the market but they are ideal for travel. they are small, thin, fit over 3,500 books, and has amazingly long battery life. Get them from www.amazon.co.uk, they go from £100 and up.

TRAVELLING WITH KIDS? HERE ARE A FEW ACTIVIES TO SAVE YOUR SANITY

Travel is meant to be an eye open-ing experience, but let’s face it, it is not very enjoyable if you are travelling with a restless toddler or a hyper active ado-lescent. Here are a few suggestions that might pass the time faster.

1) Portable DVD players- For the moms, forget telly limits, let them find Nemo, or take the shuttle to Pandora.

2) Hand out toys one at a time.

3) Moms say it with me, NINTENDO is your friend.

4) Play old school games like ‘Simon says’, ‘Go Fish’ and UNO.

5)Be prepared.

6) A travel pillow, if the cheeky bugger is comfortable, he or she might fall asleep and give their travel weary parents a breather.

BOOKS FOR AIR TRAVEL

When choosing a book to read at the airport, keep in mind, it needs to be engaging, fast-paced to make the hours fly by and also engaging enough to keep your attention from people watching or just glued to the departure board.

“The Monsters of Templton” by Lauren Groff.

The Monsters of Templeton is a debut novel that is well worth the hype Filled with monsters, ghosts, ancestors with secrets, and illegitimate children, The Monsters of Templeton will make your wait fly by.

“The wisdom of whores” by Elizabeth Pisani

The Wisdom of Whores is an intriguing combination of autobiography, exotic seedy adventure, and polical analysis. It is a witty, humorous page-turner that presents AIDS from angles most readers will have never even fathomed possible. Bear in mind that you will get funny looks from people, of course it is the title.

“Breaking Dawn” by Stephanie Meyers This is the thrilling conclusion to the Twiligh saga, the previous three are light and per-fect for airport reading. While the storyline is generic at best, it will hold your attention for the long haul flight. It is escapism reading at its best. Guilty pleasure to some adults.

Classic album for this month’s issue“Rumors” by Fleetwood Mac

Rumors was released in 1977, and since then has gone on to sell over 30 mil-lion copies worldwide. It is a classic for a reason, filled with heartfelt, honest lyrics, lush harmonies and classic guitar work makes this one for anyone’s music collection. The stand out tracks are ‘Go your own way’, ‘Songbird’ and ‘Dreams’. This is the caliber of music that is timeless.

THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE MAY’11 12