Archive for the ‘introduction’ Category
shout out to stonebarn
stonebarn hotel
Looking out over the epicurean heartland of Pemberton, WA, there aren’t many rooftops to shout from, so here, we’re going to have to climb one of the many trees in this verdant expanse of nature to tell the world about the amazing boutique hotel, Stonebarn.
Reflecting all of the surrounding nature’s serene brilliance, Stonebarn is the place to go to escape from the rushing reek of traffic and the stress of life in the urban fast lane. Witness as your world here transforms from stressed-out humbug to nature loving zen guru. Don’t think that discarding the city’s hum means you have to skimp on luxury. No, no. Having been designed by Paris’s famous architect, Aviva F Shpilman, at Stonebarn there is nothing that isn’t supremely chic and stylish; there are only six rooms, each handcrafted out of local stone and timber with luxury four-poster beds, handpicked furnishings, and stylish bathrooms, complete with an agelessly elegant claw-foot bath.
The kicker for Stonebarn though, ahead of even its setting and its style, is the amazing food and wine served up. In a region that is fast earning deep respect and racking up the accolades for its delicious fresh produce and wineries, Stonebarn is leading the WA way with their philosophy of sourcing locally and using it to create innovative and exciting dishes. Work your way through the menu of dishes prepared using ingredients from Stonebarn’s own herb garden, hen house, truffiere and orchard. Move onto the fresh artisan breads, cured meats, pates, cheeses and salsas, and wash it all down with one of Stonebarn’s brilliant selection of local wines. You’ll quickly discover that Stonebarn really is the ultimate treat for the senses and the soul.
Like the sound of Stonebarn, love the sound of WA click here to find out more….
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...steve mccurry: exclusive
boy in bombay
click on the image above for more inspiring photos…
Clear those coffee tables, have we got a gem for you…
One of the most admired and talked about photo journalists of our generation; Steve McCurry the intrepid photographer has released his eagerly awaited limited edition collection showcasing his most poignant shots that have captured and intrigued the world over.
One only need mention that shot ‘the green eyed Afghan girl’, a haunting yet outstandingly beautiful example of how photography has the ability to conjure up emotions and surpasses our imaginations. We all love to travel and this collection of shots is the closest thing to transporting you right there. Desk-side wanderlust, bring it.
With only 3,000 copies available this master piece published by Phaidon will be snapped faster than you can say cheese.
And you all you special friends of Black Tomato quote this code: BT20CP for 20% of the original price. Click here for more information.
Boy in mid Flight India
Procession of Nuns Burma
Kuchi Nomads Afghanista
Flower seller India
Pilgrim Tibet
Boy at festival India
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...from jamaica with love
golden shores
beaches at goldeneye
After rather a large shake (not stir) up, GoldenEye in Jamaica has reopened after two years of renovations in a blaze of glory…well they do say diamonds are forever. Just a 20 minute flight or 90 minute private car transfer from Montego Bay to the private Ian Fleming airport located 10 minutes drive from GoldenEye, this exclusive island retreat is set in 52 acres of tropical forests. Now boasting a brand new array of chic lagoon suites and beach cottages, the bedrooms are all individually designed with understated elegance meets modern Caribbean flair. The rooms are resplendent with lagoon and ocean views, private decks and outdoor dining tables for supping under the stars. The outdoor amenities continue with beautiful al fresco rainfall showers and claw foot bath tubs set in your own lush tropical garden.
Ian Fleming, the James Bond maestro, was originally sent to the Caribbean on his majesty’s secret service during WWII to monitor U boat activities, in an operation nicknamed GoldenEye. At the close of the War he decided to stay and make Jamaica his home. The great news…it is still possible to stay in his iconic home known at GoldenEye as The Ian Fleming Villa where he penned all 14 classic Bond novels and we wanted to go and check out what all the hubbub was about…
gardens of goldeneye
Starting our morning in a new lagoon suite, suspended over the edge of the water to create that dreamy floating illusion we sat taking in the uninterrupted lagoon views with the only ripple of water following the occasional guest on a paddle board quietly trawling past, we also simply loved wading out from the perfect powder white sand to a tiny Island, replete with sun decks and carefully carved stone seats, to enjoy a fruit punch. The most difficult thing then was deciding what to do next. The options for day time activities are endless. We found ourselves trying to decide between scuba diving and snorkelling in the calm waters of the protected reef, paddle boarding, jet skiing, fishing or even triathlon training with GoldenEye’s ex Olympian spa & fitness director Iona Winters or simply lazing on the beach (…fortunately we managed to squeeze them all in..well apart from the triathlon training).
We loved the fact that rooms came complete with a pair of kayaks for exploring the 250 metre lagoon and Caribbean coast line; we even paddled off to the field spa for our treatment one afternoon. Much to our delight we found out that the dining options had expanded with the addition of two new restaurants. We loved tasting head chef Conroy Arnold’s decadent offerings in the Gazebo restaurant before heading down to the Bizot bar for a night cap. It may have seemed apt to finish off the night with an espresso martini but we were tempted away by owner Chris Blackwell’s (founder of Island Records) own Blackwell rum a popular choice served on the rocks throughout GoldenEye…an excellent idea ‘ay Money Penny.
We made sure that before we left we became part of the Bond history and kept ourselves in very good company from ex PM’s to Hollywood A listers by planting a young guava tree in the GoldenEye garden with donations going to GoldenEye’s Orocabessa foundation…why not take a trip and see how it is doing?
(7 votes, average: 4.86 out of 5) Loading ...from jakes to giants
young the giant
giants and men
Young The Giant are one of the latest summer-sound bands to hit our shores, coming to prominence on legendary music shows like BBC’s Later With Jools Holland, and have recently announced that they are to play at Chicago’s Loolapalooza festival, alongside luminaries like Muse, Foo Fighters, My Morning Jacket and Coldplay.
Following the release of their debut single, ‘Apartment’ in the UK earlier this year, one member, Francois, took some time out of the European tour to catch up with Ed Schofield…
How would you personally describe your music?
I always have a hard time pinning down what I think we sound like. For the most part, we try to keep our arrangements tight, energetic, and groovy.
So how did the band come about? Where did you all meet?
We all went to high school in the same school district and were each involved in the local music scene in some way or another. With the prospect of time spent at different universities looming, we decided to come together and see how much we could accomplish before heading our separate ways. Once we had all started taking full course loads, we realized it was still possible to pursue the band if we could adapt to using more unorthodox writing methods.
Having played shows with names such as Kings of Leon and Cold War Kids, there must be some amazing memories from your time so far as a band, What are some of your biggest highlights?
I don’t know that I speak for everyone, but a highlight for me was the first show of our first national tour with Minus the Bear. I had been a fan since early high school and there was a very surreal quality to the entire night. It really hit home for me that we were actually making a serious go at this thing.
Do you remember the point when you all realized this could well be more than a hobby?
I can’t say that there was a specific point when it all clicked. It was more of a chain of events over a few months (getting picked up by a management agency, playing with the Kings of Leon and getting some early interest from a few labels). After that, we realized that we needed to make a decision about whether or not we could continue devoting enough time to both school and the band in order to succeed in either.
Originally you were called The Jakes but changed to Young The Giant, what was the reason for the name change?
We felt as though the name “The Jakes” really didn’t reflect where we wanted to be musically. It seemed as though the writing process was becoming clouded by our own preconceptions about the band, some of which were focused on the name.
Where do you all draw your main inspirations from as a band when you’re writing, recording and creating ideas?
I think a lot of the inspiration comes from the earliest writing method we were comfortable with. For a while, we would cram ourselves into a practice space and jam until something cohesive emerged. Although it wasn’t perfect, there is something to be said about trying to merge five creative minds into a focused voice. Working with Joe Chiccarelli also taught us to listen to one another and to back out when someone else has a good idea.
We also listen to a lot of music together and try to analyze influences, tones and songwriting technique.
You guys lived together in a house in Newport Beach. Did you get a lot done in this time towards the band? There must have been a lot of parties and distractions all the time!
Our parents and management would probably like us to tell you that we were productive and deserving of our position of luxury by the Pacific. That would be a lie. Although we did spend most of our time lounging by the beach, drink in hand, we like to believe that the experience helped us in the creative process later on. Yeah, that sounds good.
What bands are you all listening to at the moment? Any recommendations for us?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Bowie and post-Beatles McCartney (Ram is a favorite of mine). LCD Soundsystem recently released a set of live sessions, which is pretty fantastic. Kanye is also pretty amazing.
(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...on the grapevine…
the bellevue
cliffs of the Bellevue…
The honnies at Beach Tomato have thrown their Pucci towels down on the smooth sun-warmed shores of Stiniva Beach of Vis Island in Croatia’s sparkling string of islands that makes up the Dalmatian Coast for #beachoftheweek. They told us that Hvar needed to take heed as this little island was steadily creeping out the shadows to emerge as this summer’s hottest destination. We whispered in their ear the locale of our favourite mainland Croatian bolthole, the Bellevue, in white hot Dubrovnik, as the ideal starting point before nipping off to the islands…
Now this is what friends are for…
See where else we’re headed this summer on our word of mouth tips.
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...calling all adrenaline afficionados
capture what you will with the playsport
Not ones for the shy and retiring experiences here at Black Tomato we love the outrageous, the dare-devilish, and the downright exhilarating. Think bungee jumping James Bond style in Switzerland, volcano surfing in Nicaragua, traversing the Peruvian Andes on a motor bike, these kind of jaunts need to be precision captured right? And instantly shared for all to see (and be super envious of).
tough and loveable
We’ve found this nifty little camera that packs some serious punch. Let the Kodak Playsport brings out your rebellious side. What’s so great about it we here you say? Let us explain…
With as much as an appetite for adventure as you do, the Kodak Playsport isn’t afraid to get dirty or wet. Like the award winning first generation the new Kodak Playsport Zx5 shrugs off dirt and dunks of up to 3m, but ups the ante by adding a wider angle lens and shock-proofing from drops of up to 1.5m. And that’s while packing the same awesome Full HD 1080p shooting skills, plus improved focusing (including macro), flat-screen connectivity via the bundled HDMI cable and on-camera editing.
Snap, upload, and share. The Kodak Playsport’s built-in software allows you to share videos and photos of you tearing through the surf, and gliding along the slopes on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube as soon as you touch down back on earth with just one push of a button.
Rugged, resistant and bursting with technology its sleek, sexy and comes in an array of eye-catching hues from electric blue to sunset orange. Click here to see the Playsport in action.
Kodak PlaySport ZX5
RRP £149.99
Available now at Amazon
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...meet rob
We caught up with Epic Tomato’s expert guide Rob Murray-John over a cup of tea and chatted about what’s he’s been up to, where he’s off next and everything in between…
Hi Rob, long time no see, where have you just come back from?
summiting mount toubakal
I have actually just come back from my brother’s stag party. It wasn’t exactly your typical booze cruise though – we went to the Toukbal Valley in Morroco for a couple of days of hiking through the mountains followed by quad biking and camel safaris.
Have to say that’s one ‘epic’ stag. Do you ever take a break from these extreme environments?
When I am not on an ‘Epic’ trip, I love going visiting the Outer Hebrides. It is a chance to really get away from it all. I like to stay fit and the surrounding hills are a perfect place to go for long runs through the dramatic countryside. I have a young family too so it is great to take them out windsurfing, surfing and hiking.
Ok, list us your favourite destinations and environments in the world.
the jugle of guyana
My favourite countries are a bit of a diverse mix – Peru, Bolivia and Guyana in South America and Papua New Guinea in the Oceania. My favourite environments would have to be jungle and desert. I have trained for a long time in the jungle and really do feel at home there whilst I simply love the vast wilderness and stunning landscapes of the world’s deserts.
So tell us, when and how did you start leading expeditions?
I originally went out to Indonesia after university for a charity project in aid of protecting the environment. After 3 years with the company charity, I was eventually asked to start leading exploratory expeditions into the jungle and ended up doing so for over almost 20 years. It was this intimate knowledge of the jungle and having met and gained advice from some incredible military and British Special Forces recruits that has enabled me to compile this pioneering group of adventures.
Can you tell us a bit more how Epic Tomato came about?
camel trekking in the sahara desert
As with the whole ‘Tomato’ concept, it was a group of like-minded people getting together and thinking about how to enhance peoples’ lifestyles and tune into their specific needs. We wanted to find five of the most extreme environments on the planet and create five bespoke trips within each of them in order to explore the most unique, untouched places on earth. It is a product of not only my own knowledge but of several close friends and their own expertise and knowledge as very experienced extreme guides and leaders.
What’s the ethos behind Epic Tomato?
There are no set in stone itineraries. All of our trips are boutique, expedition led tours that are tailor-made to each client. We enable them to maximize their time and get the most from their experience. We provide a service that can’t be organised yourself. We use local guides and local knowledge; our people live in these environments all the time and have a vast knowledge of these places. To give you an example, many clients would consider bringing sleeping bags when embarking on a trip through the Middle Eastern desert, however we have found it more comfortable and enjoyable to use Bedoiun camel hair tents and sleep under the stars in the unexplored corners of the Jordanian wilderness.
That sounds incredible, how do I sign up?
revising the plans for the trip
The whole idea of Epic is to create individual experiences so it is hard to be completely spontaneous when booking. Our bespoke trips require intricate planning and logistical support, so I would say that people interested in booking with us should get in touch between 3 and 6 months before they want to go. From the client’s point of view, we have always found it better to plan ahead – it is a chance to let the excitement build and to also prepare yourself mentally for what is sure to be an adventure of a lifetime. For those who have requested longer trips, with extended periods in the wilderness, may want to train a little so that they don’t have to worry about any physical exertion when they are out on the road. We also always include a good slice of tailor-made luxury at the start and end of trips (so that you still go home relaxed), those who have travelled with Black Tomato before will know what this means.
Are all Epic trips strenuous, do I need to be as fit as an Iron Man to go on them?
Not at all, all the trips are bespoke so they can be as physically demanding as you like and we will tailor them to our clients. With such a wide variety of options; from the gentle journeys across the desert in Mali to the dense primary jungles of Guyana and Borneo, I think it is more of a mental state of mind than being a super fit GI Joe or Jane. Whilst a reasonable level of fitness would definitely be a bonus, it is much more about having a spirit of adventure and being ready to take a step out of your comfort zone.
So, where’s next for you?
into the unknown: river may, papua new guinea
In September I am heading to Papua New Guinea to take part in a two week exploratory trek and raft deep into the uncharted jungles of the Star Mountains. We have no idea what we will find since this area is totally unexplored. We are then planning to use light weight rafts, that we will carry with us, to try to navigate the recently discovered May River –again a world first. (Incidently the reason it is called the May River is because its existence was only discovered in May.) I am looking at this as a personal mission of discovery but don’t worry I will keep my eyes peeled for potential Epic Tomato adventures too.
Any tips for surviving the urban jungle for us city slickers?
With so many of our clients working in stressful jobs where they work long hours, I always think that it is important to remember the most important things in life. I really do think that a trip with Epic Tomato, to places where life in principal is much simpler, can really help. It is so important to realign your priorities and strip away the ‘fluff’ of western life – ‘oh no my blackberry isn’t working’ – this may be put into context when you remember your time sitting in a hut in Papua New Guinea with a member of an indigenous tribe who hunts for food in the jungle simply to survive.
Tell us one thing you can’t travel without.
I always take a pot of marmite with me on the road…sometimes there is nothing like those little creature comforts.
Head over to Epic Tomato to pick your next adventure experience
(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...follow james to san serriffe – the forgotten colony (shhh)
sandy sandy shores
Beautiful, idyllic and still relatively unknown, the forgotten British colony of San Serriffe has quietly emerged as one of our favourite destinations for 2011. Formerly a haven for intellectuals, political dissidents and the zen-seeking footloose, the island state’s booming steel industry has fuelled expansion in the tourism sector, most notably with the carefully-carpentered construction of a handful of unique boutique-style flop spots along the virgin shores of Gill Sands. Influenced by the indigenous Flong culture and curated by some of the island’s foremost creatives, these new luxury tree houses spiral down the south island’s prodigious palms (the so-called Sequoias of Serriffe).
Despite past fears predicting a collision with Sri Lanka sometime this year, fluctuations in the North Equatorial Current have meant that that the singularly migratory San Serriffe has sailed peacefully south and currently resides in the midst of the Indian Ocean, around 200km north east of Mauritius. Flight times to the capital Bodoni vary due to the constantly shifting position of the north and south Islands (Caissa Superiore and Caissa Inferiore), but new routes are planned to coincide with this year’s summer break. We’ll keep you posted.
follow james...
James Snowdon is Editorial Intern at Black Tomato
(8 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5) Loading ...bringing you the best of the beach
We’re over the moon to announce the launch of Black Tomato’s new sister website Beach Tomato. Bringing you the best of the beach, Beach Tomato will be reporting on all aspects from top beaches around the world to what to wear and how to preen. Don’t forget to check out their ‘where’s hot’ map to help plan your next beach holiday. Enjoy.
(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...introducing epic tomato
Ladies and Gents… we give to you our brand spanking new sister website Epic Tomato.
tribes in papua
Dreamt up by the intrepid minds at Black Tomato, these individually curated trips showcase the world’s most geographically extreme environments, what we like to call the anti-destinations. Travel to the most isolated corners of the globe for a challenging, unique and rare adventure that will truly push your boundaries.
Together with our own team of experts, including ex-military and SAS guides, we’ve put together these challenging expedition led experiences which fall into five global categories: River, Mountain, Polar, Jungle and Desert.
But don’t just take our word for, visit Epic Tomato and let the website do the talking…
(9 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5) Loading ...
