Have you ever thought what the ages-ago hunting lodges would look like? Feel like? Are you ready to go back in time? 

This is the modern-day ‘Back to the Past’ safari resort in Sabi Sand Game Reserve, the predecessor to Kruger National Park.

In the 1920’s, Harry Kirkman born in the Eastern Cape, a young army man and a fearless farmer joined the Sabi Park as a ranger to manage the Cattle Ranch against predators and poachers - and this is the house where he stayed with his wife.

Kirkman’s Kamp

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A dream project by Jaqui Loon, resort owner, Earth Lodge is a subterranean structure in the game filled Sabi Sand Private Reserve, a fascinating mix of natural resources and an architecture that is responsible.

A game lodge that has not taken any share of the forest landscape and it is all about blending itself in it. From far, all you see are a few termite mound looking little structures. Taking its cue from the surrounding environment, it has been described as the most environmentally sensitive lodge in Africa.

Earth Lodge, one of the four lodges of Sabi Sabi, is an unique stay that Sun & I recommend pretty highly if you are in the Kruger zone.

Entrance that leads you down to the grand lobby

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Surrounded by the rocky edges, soaring mountains and the ocean, the N2 highway carves and meanders few hundred miles between Cape Town in the Western Cape province and Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape - making it undoubtedly the best self-driving experience that should be on anyone’s bucket list.

Here is everything you need to know to set off along with two amaaaazing places to stay. 

Start your journey at the foot of Table Mountain.. 

Kensington Place

Set against the rugged mountain Kensington Place is an urban hotel with 8 suites in a quaint residential street, little ways away from the bustling Kloof Street with a view onto the charming garden of the governor’s house (more like our White House) from the balconies.

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Cape Town overwhelms your senses, a city built around its astonishing geography — the winding roads, pastel-colored houses, highest peaks, the twelve apostles standing as guardians, the ocean stretching and curving like a necklace. You can look up and around at any moment and you are just blown over yet again. 

No other African city combines heart-stopping beauty and historical gravitas so effortlessly. - NYTimes

Here is a Culture guide to get you through the different neighborhoods and the good food that’s around. Cape Town is a must-do starting point to any good adventure in South Africa, and this is just one post of a multi-part series.

STAY// O on Kloof 

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Subculture vibes, great art & literary scene, a high standard of living with safe neighborhoods that Torontonians are proud of, ethnic food spots ranging from Ceylonian to Filipino, with an interesting fact like the one below; seems like a perfect city to spend a weekend!

One in two Torontonians was born somewhere else, their transplanted cultures creating an effervescent patchwork of neighborhoods. - Lonely Planet

Sleep//

Gladstone Hotel - Sleep in a work of art!

Recognized internationally as Canada’s premier Art Hotel, The Gladstone Hotel is a stunning juxtaposition of old and new, historical landmark and contemporary art scene, making it an icon of local culture and a gateway for international travelers.

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Green and arty Kyoto has been setting the agenda for centuries 

The former capital of Japan is a perfect mix of the old and new - wooden machiya houses, zen gardens, young girls in their kimonos contrasted with the sleek modern architecture and futuristic led lights, right next to a shrine in the same block. Welcome to the Japan you have always wanted to see.

STAY//

Screen Hotel

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Tokyo is many things to many people, but to me, it will be a place that taught me a thing or two about humanity.

How can a region with a population over 33Mil get to keep their people orderly, diligent and meticulous? 

And still manage to be the coolest kids on the planet. Baffled.

//STAY here.

CLASKA

Built in 1969, CLASKA is a Meguro Street land mark. In 2004, CLASKA became a renovation project housing multi-function and cultural spaces, including a hotel, restaurant & bar, gallery and shop. Today CLASKA is a strong supporter of independent culture and design in Japan.

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Our first getaway after moving to NYC - a two hour drive away to Woodstock, a little town among the catskills mountains most famous for its 60’s namesake music festival, and along came the hippie culture. We stayed in a cozy little artist cottage by the stream, where all you can hear are the waters gushing through the cold winds. 

If you want to fall asleep to the stereo lullaby of frog croaks while watching the spectacle of fireflies competing with stars, this is the place. - Nin, Owner

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La Vineria de Gualterio Bolivar - American Food & Wine Magazine published a list of 20 new restaurants in the world that offer ‘a unique and exciting experience on the planet’, among which La Vineria is one.

Taste comes from memory -   gourmet shift towards “naturalistic” to places like forests, sea, hills, mountains and aromas that remind these places.

“My kitchen is mutating into a naturalism - brutalism. As a leitmotif, or search for arming the menus, the chef dives into the emotional memory, memories of places where he or travel, music (also a musician), he says: “I live with it since I have memory,” literature, and above all the products (quality, seasonality, freshness) - Chef Digilio

Chef Alejandro Digilio, is a whimsical character, eyes filled with excitement, dancing, singing, sharing his cute stories, AND preparing dish after dish that was cutting-edge culinary best. Oh and by the way I was honored to be a guest in his private celebration for the restaurant’s 4th anniversary.

Plating the next few dishes

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