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If you have difficulty sleeping peacefully at night, raise your hand. Actually, it’s 2 in the morning and I just saw your updated Facebook status, so you can let it fall listlessly by your side. Sleep, which should come naturally without making much of an effort, is fast becoming a precious commodity. Most of us spend hours either tossing or turning in bed or going online to kill time. The phrase sleeping like a baby is only literal now. If you too are a compulsive nightbird but wish you could sleep more, read on: To Eat Or Not To Eat: Most of us know that coffee, cocoa, cola drinks, dark chocolates and other foods with high levels of caffeine are great if you are planning to burn the midnight oil but if you are proposing to visit dreamland, then they should be avoided 3-4 hours before bedtime. However, how many of us know that there are foods that could help us sleep better? Foods high in tryptophan, a sleep-inducing amino acid, help us relax and sleep peacefully. These include bananas, spinach, dates, fish and dairy products such as milk, cheese and curd. A warm glass of milk seems to do the trick for many. Milk not only contains high levels of tryptophan but also increases the serotonin levels, allowing us to sleep comfortably. “A cup of chamomile tea just before bed helps relax you,” says Shikha Sharma, a Delhi-based wellness consultant. Switch Off: How many times do you stay up at night because you can see the tiny red light indicating that the laptop, phone or iPad is charging? What about the illuminated numbers on the air conditioner or the red and green dots on the TV, the DVD player or set-top box? They all distract you and prevent you from sleeping. Switch off all electronic gadgets in the room when you go to bed. The darker the room, the easier it is going for your body to realise that it is time to sleep. This is because the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle, is controlled by light exposure. Ideally, your brain should secrete more in the evening, when it’s dark, to make you sleepy, and less during the day when you want to stay awake and alert. But our disruptive habits play havoc with our body’s natural production of melatonin, sending our sleep-wake cycle for a toss. For instance, bright lights at night, especially from TV or laptop, can suppress production of melatonin, making it harder to sleep. Reading on an iPad or other back-lit devices have a similar effect. Change The Position Of Your Bed: Are you a believer in vastu? If so, you may want to change the direction of your bed. According to vastu shastra, you should sleep with your head in any direction except north. Says R. Ravishankar, a vastu consultant, “Our body is like a magnet with our head being the north pole and our legs the south. When our head is in the north direction, the north pole of our body repels the north pole of the earth’s magnetic field. This repulsion causes a bad magnetic stir in our brain and our subconscious mind struggles for peace.” Create A Routine: Creating a night-time ritual sends a signal to your body that it is time to sleep. So have a warm shower, brush your teeth, read a little, listen to some music and lie in bed. You should soon be asleep. Your routine should be relaxing and not involve anything too strenuous that could keep you from falling asleep. For instance, don’t start reading a particularly interesting book as you would stay up wanting to finish it. Read something you have already read. Also if you are unable to sleep, don’t just lie in bed. Your body needs to associate your bed with sleep, so never lie in bed tossing and turning for more than 30 minutes, get up instead. Odour Of The Night: Try aromatherapy. Put a few drops of lavender on your pillow or add a few drops of valerian, chamomile or catnip to your bath. These oils relax your senses, helping you sleep better. Says Vivek Sahni, director at Kama Ayurveda: “Lavender aids sleep as it removes any obstructions, and strengthens the nervous system.” Oh, and if everything else fails, go back to the basics. Count sheep. Good night. smita(dot)tripathi(at)bworld(dot)in(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 19-11-2012)
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When the 15-year-old daughter of a Delhi-based millionnaire saw the Richard Gere movie Hachiko, she fell in love with the dog. The teenager wanted nothing more than to have a similar dog as a pet. The doting father, an elite member of the luxury concierge service Quintessentially Lifestyle, called up his lifestyle manager Saurabh Singh and requested him to deliver two shiba inu pups. “These pups are natives of Japan and are not available in India. We bought them in Tokyo, got all the necessary vaccinations and then imported them after getting all custom clearances,” says Singh. The whole process took a couple of weeks but the young girl had her puppies and Quintessentially another satisfied customer. A Delhi-based CEO forgot his Cartier watch in the men’s washroom of Dubai airport. Not really having any hope of its recovery, he still called his account manager at Les Concierges, a Bangalore-headquartered concierge service with eight offices across the country, and requested them to trace the watch. “We contacted Dubai airport and were able to recover the watch in a few hours, which we then delivered to the client,” says Deepa M.P., vice-president of sales and marketing, Les Concierges Services. Whether its tickets for the opening night of a Broadway show, front row seats at the Milan Fashion Week, a table at a Michelin-starred restaurant, a Birkin bag or something more bizarre like wanting to eat Amritsari kulcha at home prepared by cooks from Amritsar or having a private meal with masterchef Patricia Wells in her home, all you have to do is ask. For high-end luxury concierge services, no request is too big or small. “It’s like having your own Jeeves,” laughs Mishti Bose, group CEO of Quintessentially Lifestyle, a UK-headquartered luxury ‘members only’ concierge club that started India operations in 2010. Globally they have satisfied the whims of Madonna, J.K. Rowling, Paris Hilton and Jennifer Lopez, among others. Of course, such service does not come cheap. Quintessentially has three types of membership — General (costs Rs 70,000 annually), Dedicated (Rs 1.65 lakh per annum) and Elite (Rs 7.20 lakh per annum). At Les Concierges, annual membership for Club Concierge (its uber-luxury division) varies between Rs 50,000 and Rs 5 lakh. Then there are others such as American Express which offers a concierge service with its Platinum charge card. The card has an annual fee of Rs 50,000. “Our customers are all time-poor and money-rich and see value in these services,” says Shailesh Baidwan, CEO of American Express India. Adds Deepa: “A concierge programme pampers customers through tangible and intangible benefits. It gives them what is precious — time, convenience and luxury.” (BW Pics By Tribhuwan Sharma) And that certainly seems to be the case. A booming economy, increased affluence levels, globally aware consumers and more and more working women have increased the demand for personalised services. American Express Platinum charge card is seeing double-digit growth year on year. Though Quintessentially does not reveal the number of members, it says its members have doubled since last year, with 85 per cent being dedicated, 10 per cent elite and less than 5 per cent general members. Les Concierges’ Club Concierge membership has nearly 3,000 members and it expects to grow by 200 per cent over the next financial year. According to the World Wealth Report by Capgemini, India has 125,500 HNIs (those with over $1 million at their disposal) in 2011-12. And this number is likely to increase to 403,000 by 2015, according to Swiss wealth manager Julius Baer. And with people becoming richer and busier, the concierge business is set to grow. No wonder, Les Concierges attracted the attention of investors such as Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s Rare Enterprises in early 2000 and private equity firm Acacia Redwood in 2007-08. Jumping on the bandwagon are high-end real estate players who are offering concierge services as part of the package. Quintessentially has tied up with the Lodha Group’s World One Tower in Mumbai, DLF’s Magnolia in Gurgaon, three projects of Embassy in Bangalore and with Nitesh in Goa. Those purchasing these really expensive apartments will be given a one-year general membership for free. Les Concierges has also tied up with the Lodha Group for a few of their projects. Bizzare DemandsA palanquin to carry a couple to a picnic in BaliPlay polo with a kingGifting a specific cricket bat from the UK for son’s birthdayPrivate dinner with the Dalai LamaWhile these lifestyle concierge companies are a new phenomenon, five-star hotels have always had concierge desks. But even there, the bizarre requests seem to be on the rise. Satish Gaikward, chief concierge at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai, tells the tale of the ‘Princess and the Tuk Tuk’. A European princess who was a guest at the hotel took a fancy to an autorickshaw and wanted to purchase one. Her personal butler approached Gaikward who, in turn, went all over Mumbai looking for an auto on sale. A permit is required for the purchase of an auto and it cannot be bought off the shelf. Finally Gaikward contacted the marketing manager of Bajaj Auto in Pune and convinced him to sell an auto for private use to the princess. So what does it take to be a good concierge? “You need to have passion, energy and an excitement to face new challenges. Another key characteristic of a good concierge is to be able to anticipate customer needs and preferences, cultural sensitivities and provide solutions which are the right match,” says Lakshya Narula, chief concierge at Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi. Oh and of course, the concierge always serves with a smile, irrespective of how bizarre the demand. smitatripathi(dot)bw(at)gmail(dot)com (This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 24-09-2012)
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Imagine a holiday in Venice that involves a sneak peek into the homes of local aristocrats including lunch with a countess, exploring the backstage of haute couture with a visit to a private shoe museum, and ordering a luxury bespoke bag with your photo — the perfect souvenir to a beautiful trip. All this with your own personal guide whose family has been in the hospitality business for generations, which makes him a host capable of opening doors to incredible experiences, including a private concert by Andrea Bocelli. Throw in a private jet flight from Rome to Venice, a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce at your disposal, a stay in the presidential suite of the Excelsior hotel and you have your dream holiday. Just what Delhi-based entrepreneur Jai Singh (name changed) wanted for his 10th wedding anniversary. The cost: 28,000 euros for a couple for a week. Tired of run-of-the-mill holidays, Mumbai-based financial consultant Sameer Rekhi (name changed) flew to Johannesburg. Joburg, as it is popularly called, may be a tourist’s delight but Rekhi was not looking at merely staying in a 5-star property or eating gourmet food or even sightseeing. He wanted an experience of a lifetime. So, over the next two weeks, he stayed in a lion-raising centre in Kroonstad (around three hours from Johannesburg), where he helped clean cages, feed the lions and play with cubs. Welcome to the world of luxury travel. Staying at the Four Seasons and eating at Michelin-starred restaurants in New York and Paris is passé. Now it is all about being different and engaging in activities that not only become talking points but also create memorable experiences. And those in search of such experiences are willing to pay top dollar for them. Taruna Seth, founder and vice-president, Pearl Luxe Travels, says mature travellers want classic, experiential luxury(BW Pic By Sanjay Sakaria)“The true luxury traveller of today has been there done that and is looking for unique experiences,” says Taruna Seth, founder and vice-president of Pearl Luxe Travels, a boutique luxury travel company. Adds Vikram Madhok, managing director of Abercrombie & Kent: “Indian luxury travellers are buying experiences now, not mere destinations.” Kuoni India Holiday Report indicates that 37 per cent Indians regard ‘Pure Luxury’ as the most important travel trend. The report also reveals that Indian travellers are gravitating towards experimentation. Even the Technopak Indian Luxury Outlook 2011-12 report says: “The luxury traveller in India wants to experience theme-based journeys, visit unusual destinations and locales set amidst grandeur and opulence.” The total revenue in the luxury travel industry in India is estimated to be around $1.7 billion, and industry experts say it is growing by around 20 per cent annually. “Over the next 10 years, the market will grow 15-20 per cent every year,” says Madhok. But, he explains, that is also because the base is low. While there are 12-13 million Indian outbound travellers, those in the luxury space are only about 100,000. However, with the number of ultra high networth households (HNH) — those with a net worth of over Rs 25 crore — on the rise, the market is expected to grow further. According to the Kotak Mahindra Top of The Pyramid report 2012, the number of ultra-HNHs in India is likely to increase to 286,000 by 2016-17, from the present 81,000. In the same report 79.2 per cent of the high networth individual (HNIs) said that travel was not hit by the economic slowdown. On an average, HNIs take two holidays every year — one long (mostly overseas) and one short (domestic). So, domestic luxury travel is also on the rise. The Oberoi group of hotels saw an increase of 49 per cent over last year (till July) in domestic traveller bookings in their Vilas properties . “Even at our Shimla hotels we have seen a 22 per cent growth in Indian guests with a majority staying at the premium Wildflower Hall. At the end of the financial year in March 2012, we had a seen a growth of 20 per cent from the Indian market. We expect this year to close at a higher rate,” says a spokesperson for the hotel group. Even at the Taj Hotels, domestic demand contributed to about 50 per cent of business. “On the rise has been the demand for all our grand palaces — Rambagh Palace, Jaipur; Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur; Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur; and Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad — where they feel that they can experience true royal luxury and live like a maharaja and maharani,” says a Taj spokesperson. To cater to this expanding market, the Oberoi group has launched Oberoi Experiences, divided into wellness, adventure, romance and family. For instance, at the Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, you can renew your marriage vows at the 280-year-old Shiva temple in the hotel gardens, get beauty packages for a couple, a champagne dinner, and more, for Rs 1 lakh. The New Travelling Tribes According to the latest report on the Asian travel market by ILTM, the market has seen the emergence of ‘new luxury travel tribes’. These ‘tribes’ include the ‘new sophisticates’ who are rejecting the tried and tested destinations in favour of Yangtze river cruises, holidays on the Galápagos Islands and high-end safaris in Botswana, demonstrating their newly found connoisseur sensibilities. Though this group is still a minority in India, it is growing fast. Says Madhok, “Even when visiting the same destination, they want a different experience. So, they will book a chateau or a gourmet wine and food appreciation week in Tuscany. Their spend per night has risen from £300 per person to £700, and we are seeing double-digit growth in our outbound business.” break-page-break If the spending is increasing, so are the service expectations. Explains Seth, “The older and mature travellers who are 45-plus seek classic luxury in the experiential space. Indian luxury travellers are already used to a high level of service right in their homes with personal staff and hired help. They are open to new experiences but are not willing to compromise on the level of service which varies between Asia and the West. Consider the best resorts in the world in the Maldives versus those in the Caribbean — the level of service is strikingly different even when one pays top dollar for both.” Bargaining, a national trait so far, is fading when it comes to luxury travel. “One problem in the past with the Indian market has been the tendency to negotiate prices or services downwards only to find that the resultant product does not meet expectations. Nowadays, affluent clients understand that from a product perspective, there can be a vast disparity even with the five-star market,” says George Morgan-Grenville, CEO of UK-based Red Savannah, a luxury travel company. Vikram Madhok, MD, Abercrombie & Kent, says their spend per night has risen from £300 per person to £700(BW Pic By Sanjay Sakaria)For The Young And The Old The young travellers are leaning towards adventures — a trip to the South Pole and other relatively unexplored parts of the world. India is a young country and the booming economy of the past few years has seen a growing tribe of youngsters with enough money to spend on travel. The average age group of most luxury travellers in India is 35-44 years. “The young Indian luxury travellers are more open to experiment. Year 2012 saw the maximum number of Indian travellers to Myanmar,” says Seth, who has organised everything from a spin in the skies in a real fighter aircraft to a track day on a frozen lake with the ultimate race cars. “Adventure by day and luxury by night is the mantra for this group,” explains Madhok, which means that they are willing to stay at whichever is the best and most comfortable property there is in that region, even if it is a three-star hotel. Adds Vishal Suri, deputy chief operating officer of SOTC, “Young Indian travellers are leaning towards eco-friendly ways to explore the world without compromising on comfort and style.” Tui India has introduced i-to-i packages for young travellers looking for that unusual and unique experience. The lion camp in South Africa is part of this. The packages are 90 per cent travel and 10 per cent volunteer work. “Rich parents are increasingly sending children in the 20s to places like South America and Cambodia to volunteer at orphanages, schools, etc.,” says Sunil Hasija, executive director of Tui India. Another segment of travellers is of the ‘ultra honeymooners’ with huge wedding budgets. “For many, the honeymoon is the first holiday that a young couple really gets to splurge on. In many cases it is a gift from the parents so people do tend to go all out to plan a memorable getaway,” says Seth. Antarctica is among the popular destinations for luxury travellers(Courtesy: TUI India) Travelling with the family has always been popular in India. The ‘luxe pack’ travellers often have multiple generations travelling together. “Intergenerational travel has seen an upward trend. More families have been organising luxury holidays with three generations spanning grandparents and grandchildren,” says Seth. Adds Hasija, “Cruising is a popular option. We organised a private yacht for a family of eight who took a two-week cruising holiday around the French Riviera to celebrate the grandchild’s 10th birthday.” And like all things luxury, travel, too, is moving from the big metros to tier-2 and -3 cities. Seth says she gets customers from places such as Ludhiana and Ahmedabad. “They are successful business owners; they have the means but not the exposure to high-end travel.” For luxury travellers, the world is their oyster. Hot destinations include Antarctica, Baku (Azerbaijan), Kiev (Ukraine), St Petersburg (Russia), Galápagos Islands (Ecuador), Botswana and Myanmar. Have money, will travel to the ends of the world is the new mantra for luxury travellers. smitatripathi(dot)bw(at)gmail(dot)com (This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 24-09-2012)
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The manager of a multi-brand watch retail outlet in New Delhi had this story to tell when asked about the new luxury consumer in India: a well-built Sikh gentleman from Amritsar in his mid-30s walked into the store to buy a watch. After going through a selection of high-end watches, he finally asked to see a Rolex. When shown an understated (matt finish, small dial) model, he asked for one with a big gold dial. His specification for the watch, which he articulated in chaste Punjabi, was that if he wore it and stood at one end of his field, the watch should be visible from the other end. But that’s not all. He demanded a luxury experience. Having selected the watch, he demanded that it be delivered to him in Amritsar by no less than the manager himself. The Rolex bore a price tag of Rs 15 lakh, and the manager was more than happy to oblige. Another story now. A Mumbai-based couple’s only criteria for their Valentine’s Day celebration was that the experience had to be memorable. They decided on the Valentine’s Day bespoke package offered by Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad. Customised invitations were delivered to guests by the palace butler, who even fixed appointments with Canali for ‘him’ and Burberry for ‘her’ to design the outfits. The chef discussed the menu with them over Skype, and a customised diamond ring was designed for the lady. A champagne dinner was served in the evening followed by a lavish champagne breakfast the next morning. The tab: Rs 10 lakh. CONSUMPTION OF LUXURY PRODUCTS HAS GROWN 29 PER CENT, AND 22 PER CENT IN SERVICESThe luxury consumer in India is slowly but surely evolving from one who only splurged on high-end products to one who is willing to add an extra zero at the end of the final figure for the overall experience. “Being a luxury consumer is not just about buying an expensive product; it is an experience. It is all about feeling pampered,” says Sanjay Kapoor, managing director of Genesis Luxury, which brought brands such as Canali and Jimmy Choo to India. Says Tikka Shatrujit Singh of LVMH: “You must feel like a million dollars on purchasing a luxury product. The whole selling ceremony has developed into an art form now.” Two To TangoTo woo consumers, luxury brands are doing everything to make the whole experience memorable: special screenings, VIP lounges, and even trips to their iconic stores in Europe. And the luxury consumer is keeping pace, by spending more on travel, fine dining, concierge services, spas, and the like. According to the CII-AT Kearney India Luxury Review 2011, the luxury market in India is pegged at $5.75 billion and is expected to grow to $14.72 billion by 2015. While consumption of luxury products has grown 29 per cent since last year, services have grown 22 per cent. Fine dining has grown at a very fast clip, 40 per cent; travel by 22 per cent and spas by 27 per cent. The Boston Consulting Group’s latest report Luxe Redux: Raising the Bar for Selling of Luxuries reiterates this: “…the most significant area of change in the luxury market is the consumer’s shift in preference from owning a luxury to experiencing a luxury.” In fact, experiential luxury captures more than half of the spending share in most countries. In Brazil, Russia and India, the share of experiential luxury spending has grown at a CAGR of 27 per cent between 2009-11, versus 19 per cent for luxury goods. Says Delhi-based Annika Talwar, who runs The Only Network, an event management and concierge service: “People are willing to go to any limits for that all-exclusive experience.” Her list of achievements includes organising a drive in a Lamborghini, and sourcing a Picasso. Adds Gaurav Bhatia, marketing director at Moët Hennessy India: “The very definition of luxury has undergone a big change; what was once about ‘status symbols’ is now a lifestyle.” The business of luxury experiences is not restricted to just exclusive safaris and spas, but has permeated into interiors and high-rise apartments designed by the likes of Armani. Be it customising a private jet or having a 24x7 concierge ready to pander to every whim, the luxury consumer is willing to spend if the final offering is unique, exclusive and memorable. And the same level of service is expected while shopping for a luxury product. “Every customer needs to be treated as a prospective buyer and given the same level of respect and service. He may not buy today but if he is serviced well, he will buy tomorrow,” says Abhay Gupta, founder promoter and CEO of Luxury Connect, a luxury service organisation. With money to spend and a desire to experience and experiment, the new luxury consumer has most definitely arrived. (This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 24-09-2012)
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Quick, what’s common to Mel Gibson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage and Ricky Martin — apart from the fact that they are all hunks? All of them are masters of their own private islands — a little bit of paradise turned into their private fiefdom. And what do the isles give them, besides bragging rights? They are ‘gifted’ to friends for weddings and honeymoons and, of course, serve as the perfect hideaway to avoid bad press after a movie bombs. It’s the new A-list status symbol and everyone, from Virgin Group’s Richard Branson (he owns three private islands spread across the globe) to pop diva Celine Dion and Oracle’s co-founder Larry Ellison, has an island with beautiful beaches, which is their very own little — or in some cases not so little (Ellison has purchased Hawaii’s sixth largest island) — retreat. And what’s good enough for the global super rich is good enough for our home-bred HNIs (high networth individuals). Chris Krolow, CEO of Private Islands, a Toronto-based real estate company which has over 500 private islands listed with it, says that they are increasingly receiving enquiries from rich Indians wanting to buy a private island in the Caribbean and even some of the smaller islands in Canada. “With the Maldives opening up, there is huge demand from Indians to take up an island on long-term lease there.” (Courtesy:www.privateislandsonline.com) So, typically, how much will an island set you back by and which part of the world should you buy an island in? “In general, it is easiest to purchase property in a country where you hold citizenship; for international buyers, North America has some of the most accessible properties and property laws,” says Krolow. While the celebrities may have made investments of a few million dollars, one can purchase an island in Canada, Belize or Nicargua for less than $100,000 (approximately Rs 56 lakh) — that’s cheaper than buying an apartment in Mumbai or Delhi. But it’s the Bahamas that everyone wants a slice of. They are not only beautiful with miles of virgin beaches, palm trees and aquamarine waters, but also make financial sense. “The Bahamas are a tax haven. We have no income, capital gains or inheritance tax,” explains George Damianos, president of Damianos Sotheby's International Realty based in the Bahamas. The most expensive island listed with Sotheby’s is part of the Exuma Chain and is priced at $85 million. The other popular regions include the South Pacific and Central America. “Panama is no doubt the most urban of Central America’s island markets, offering proximity to not only a world-class metropolis but also having advantageous banking and residency laws, and excellent transportation and medical infrastructure,” says Krolow. Chris Krolow of Private Islands says rich Indians are eager to buy islands in the Caribbean(Courtesy: www.privateislandsonline.com)The Maldives are also attracting a lot of interest. Till recently, you could only develop an island as a resort. However, now it is possible to take an island for individual use on long-term lease from the government. “This has really created excitement in the market. The Maldives have always been beautiful and are a hot option for rich Indian and Chinese buyers as they are closer home for them,” says Krolow. In fact, he is thinking of opening another office only to cater to the Asian market. Moreover, what’s attractive about the Maldives, besides the natural beauty, is that the islands being given on lease are fully developed — that means your electricity, fresh water and connectivity needs are taken care of. Priciest Of Them AllIsland Of Patroklos, Greece: 643 acres; $185 millionRangyai Island, Thailand: 110 acres; $160 millionCave Cay, Bahamas: 222 acres; $110 million George Damianos of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty feels that post the 2008 recession, prices have become realistic(Courtesy: Damianos Sotheby's International Realty)If you are a true blue son of the soil and want to buy an island in India, you do not have many options. Islands in the Lakshwadeep and the Andaman and Nicobar regions are protected and owned by the natives and cannot be sold. Your only option is to buy an island in a river. A few of them in Kerala are listed on property websites. Till recently a 44-acre property called Palm Island located near the village of Padiyoor, 40 km from the Cochin airport, was listed on the Private Islands website for $2.4 million. Most islands in the Caribbean require a lot of work. Plus, it is really expensive to maintain them. Just keeping minimum staff costs upwards of $50,000 a year, explains Krolow. Developing an airstrip will set you back by $500,000-1 million, add a jetty and costs escalate. “The idea of a private island may sound very romantic but once there you still want all the basic comforts. Nobody wants to live in a shack,” says a Delhi-based realtor. But once you do get all the permissions and develop the island, the price appreciates. “The price of an island appreciates through development, accessibility and the ease of communications,” says Damianos. However, from an investment point of view what is important is that you buy the island at the right price. Krolow says pre-recession, most islands were overpriced. But now buyers are getting a better deal. Agrees Damianos of Sotheby’s: “Recession has affected the business and sellers have become more realistic about prices.” Buying your own island does sound like a dream. But before you put down millions, do consider a few things. For starters, you need to be sure why you are buying it. Is it a real estate investment, are you going to develop it into a resort or is it going be your second home? If it’s an investment you are better off buying a freehold property rather than a long-term lease. If you are looking at developing it into a resort, you need to check on laws relating to development of the property and things like connectivity. If it’s going to be your second home, then proximity and travel time need to be considered. Then you also need to factor in the climate. For instance, tropical islands are beautiful, but are you prepared to battle humidity, heat and the insects that come with life around the equator? If the answer is yes, then go ahead. After all, nothing spells exclusivity like an island address. smitatripathi(dot)bw(at)gmail(dot)com (This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 24-09-2012)
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Thirty-eight-year-old Manisha Jain is a senior executive in a leading multinational company in Mumbai. Peer pressure, a desire to look good and stay fit had this mother of two joining the gym off and on. “Somehow, spending hours on the treadmill, lifting weights or doing crunches never really worked for me. It’s like my body was on autopilot, while my mind was elsewhere.” Moreover, the grilling exercise routine tired her out. “I knew I was supposed to feel good after an hour in the gym, but I never did,” says Jain. So when a friend suggested to her tai chi — a centuries-old Chinese martial art, Jain laughed it off. “I had seen YouTube videos and it all seemed rather exotic, almost like a dance form. But I didn’t think it had any real benefits.” Yet she decided to go just for a lark, pretty sure she wouldn’t attend another class. That was three years ago, and Jain hasn’t missed a class since. “I go for tai chi three times a week now. I was surprised at how energetic and good I felt at the end of the class. I was totally hooked.” Tai chi, short for tai chi chuan, is a combination of physical exercises, breathing techniques and meditation. Unlike other external martial arts such as karate or kung fu, tai chi is an internal martial art that promotes serenity through gentle, flowing, low-impact movements. “It’s a subtle art. The goal is not to smash a board or fight an opponent. Also unlike karate and kickboxing, the focus is not on building muscles. Tai chi focuses on calmness. It, in fact, shuns the violent streak. It has a spiritual tone,” says Mumbai-based Sandeep Desai, who has been teaching the Chen style of tai chi for the past 14 years. Tai chi, often described as meditation in motion, is all about harnessing Chi — the all important life force — and channelising it to the energy centres of our body. Net result: a complete de-stress. “It works on the central nervous system, calming the mind, and in the process reduces stress-related problems,” says Chennai-based tai chi instructor Sifu George Thomas who has been practising the Yang style for over a decade.Tai chi is all about harnessing chi — the life force — and channelising it to the energy centres of our body And does it help lose weight? Yes, it does. Tai chi’s slow flowing movements done for an hour can burn up to 300 calories. “The moves can be done slowly, but the faster you do, more calories are burnt,” says Desai. And if the aim is to lose weight, then tai chi should be done in the morning before breakfast, he says. However, Desai points out that there is a lot more to tai chi than just losing weight. It’s a three step process — heal, enhance and then maintain your body. It makes you fitter and more agile as a lot of focus is laid on loosening the joints — every joint in your body should rotate on its own. You start with the standing meditation posture where you learn body alignment. For instance, your hips should not protrude backwards, shoulders should not pop up, chest should not be puffed up, stomach muscles should be relaxed and you should not lock your knees. Once you have perfected the posture you move on to joint loosening movements or circles which represent yin and yang energy and you need to learn yin and yang separation. There are 7-8 such movements which enable each part of your body to move independently. Every movement requires stretching. “Tai chi improves your reflexes, balance and concentration and makes you aware of your surroundings,” says Desai. Adds Thomas, “It revitalises and rejuvenates you, slowing down your ageing process and strengthening your immune system.” While a lot of benefits of tai chi are similar to those of yoga, the two are very different in action. In yoga you need to hold on to a posture; tai chi is fluidly mobile. “It’s like a flowing river. Running water which does not stagnate,” says Desai. While some benefits of tai chi are visible from day one, it’s not a quick fix. Undergoing training is a tall order and the art is perfected over years. But making it a part of your daily life will not only help keep you healthy and increase your life span, it will improve the quality of your life. As Jain puts it simply: “It makes you happy.”(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 22-10-2012)
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Saffron: The most expensive spice in the world, saffron or kesar, is made from the dried stigma of the purple crocus flower. Each flower has only three stigma and it can take more than 75,000 threads or filaments of the crocus flower (that's nearly an acre of the flower) to equal half a kg of the spice. No wonder, half a kg of it can set you back by $5,000. (BLOOMBERG) White truffles: Don't even dream of making mushroom matar using this rather ordinary looking fungus. The unassuming white truffle is sold at $3,000-$6,000 a kg. Last December, Stanley Ho, the owner of a Macau casino, paid a record $330,000 for 1.5 kg of truffles. They are expensive because they cannot be cultivated commercially; they grow in the wild. Also, they are available for only a few months, in a part of Italy. It takes trained dogs and pigs to sniff them out near the roots of oak trees. (REUTERS) Kopi luwak coffee: The most expensive coffee is made from animal droppings. And before you turn up your nose, remember that the Kopi Luwak coffee made from the beans digested by an Asian palm civet is so rare that only about 230 kg is produced a year. Half a kilo of it can relieve you of $350. According to coffee connoisseurs, it is mild, smooth and absolutely unmatched. The Indonesian animal eats only the most perfectly-matured beans which it then excretes. Plantation workers retrieve the beans, clean and roast them. The animal's digestive enzymes make the beans less acidic, adding to the coffee's flavour. Caviar: Considered the ultimate in luxurious food, caviar has a grading system and the best of caviar is the Iranian beluga called Almas. It comes from the infinitesimally rare albino sturgeons that are 60 to 100 years old and found in the Caspian Sea. Sold in a 24-carat gold tin, Almas caviar costs $920 per 100 gm. Donkey cheese: Donkey keepers at the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve in Serbia are smiling all the way to the bank. Cheese made from the animals' milk is the most expensive in the world, at nearly $1,350 a kg. It takes about 25 litres of milk to make one kg of Pule cheese. Available only on pre-order.(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 30-07-2012)
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Hotel President Wilson, Geneva Royal Penthouse SuiteAt up to $60,000 a night, this is by far the most expensive suite. Of course, with 12 rooms and 12 bathrooms, a dining area which seats 26 people, a conference room, a fitness centre, a billiards room and library, a cocktail lounge area to accommodate 40 persons and its own private escalator, it's more like a house. Special features include bulletproof windows and doors and panoramic views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. And for music lovers, there's also a Steinway grand piano.Four Seasons Hotel, New YorkTy Warner PenthouseThe opulent and luxurious penthouse on the 52nd floor soars 800 ft above street level and provides a 360-degree view of New York City. Created by architects I.M. Pei and Peter Marino, the suite took seven years and $50 million to make. From calf-skin leather walls in the dressing room and semi-precious stones in the Zen room to Han dynasty vases converted into table lamps, luxury defines the 4,300 sq. ft suite. On call is a butler, an art concierge, a personal trainer and exclusive use of a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce. Price: up to $40,000 a night.Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas Two-storey Sky VillaThe only thing the Hugh Hefner villa does not come with is a gaggle of Playboy bunnies. Otherwise this 9,000 sq. ft Playboy penthouse is everything you would expect — three bedrooms, dry sauna, a huge open terrace, a revolving bed and mirrored ceiling and a 12-person glass-enclosed jacuzzi pool bordered by a glass wall for a sky view of lit-up Las Vegas. Highlights also include a poker table for night parties, the Playboy art collection and enough space for 250 guests. Price: up to $35,000 a night.Hotel Martinez, Cannes Penthouse SuiteThis is the biggest and only terraced penthouse on the Cote d'Azur, making it exclusive and expensive. The design is in the Art Deco style, with streamlined furniture, silk curtains and teak parquet flooring. The hotel has a Michelin-starred restaurant, piano bar and huge private beach, all at your disposal. The two-bedroom suite has two bathrooms with hammam, shower, spa bath, dressing room and sauna, as well as a 2,000 sq. ft terrace with views of the Bay of Cannes and space for 100 guests. Price: up to $25,000 a night.(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 30-07-2012)
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Oatmeal: Start your day with a bowl of oatmeal porridge. Oats are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, folate, niacin, calcium and soluble fibre. Almonds and Walnuts: While all nuts are healthy, almonds and walnuts provide nutrients like plant omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E and magnesium. Have them in between meals. Red Wine: A glass of red wine can improve ‘good' cholesterol, thanks to the catechins and reservatrol (flavonoids) in it. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are rich in beta and alpha-carotene, lycopene, vitamin C, potassium, folate and fibre. Luckily, we all eat loads of it.Soymilk: Drink flavoured soymilk straight from the pack. It's rich in isoflavones (a flavonoid), B-complex, niacin, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium and phytoestrogens. Spinach: Remember Popeye's favourite food. Well, it should be yours too. Rich in lutein (a carotenoid), B-complex, folate, magnesium, potassium, calcium and fibre, have it as a soup, as part of a salad or try palak paneer.Papaya: A bowl of papaya is enough to give you much-needed beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Black or Kidney Beans: Stir in some beans and give salads or soup a nutrient boost. And of course there is the all-favourite rajma. Beans are rich in B-complex, folate, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and soluble fibre.Oranges: An orange a day can keep the doctor away, too. Orange juice is a rich source of vitamin C, folic acid and B6, folate and fibre. Dark Chocolate: Can't resist some dark chocolate? Fear not. A truffle a day can lower blood pressure, but choose one with 70 per cent or higher cocoa content. Its rich in reservatrol and cocoa phenols (flavonoids).Fish: Salmon and tuna are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. So next time you dig into a grilled salmon, not only will you be doing your palate a favour but also your heart. Brown Rice: Time to give up polished rice and replace it with brown rice rich in B-complex, fibre, niacin, magnesium and fibre. Stir in a few chopped veggies (broccoli, carrots, spinach) for a healthy meal. (CLICK TO VIEW "BEAT THE HEAT" An Infographic to find some cool ways to avoid heat exhaustion) (Photo Credits: Ritesh Sharma; MODEL: Neha Saini)(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 02-07-2012)
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Confession time: I hate exercising. Except for taking the steps instead of the elevator to our second-floor office, I do absolutely nothing else. It's not as if I haven't tried. Every time I see a new outfit that would look great on a slimmer version of me, I hit the gym. But I lose interest really fast. While walking on the treadmill or spinning makes me yawn, yoga puts me to sleep. So it was with some trepidation that I went for my first Zumba — a dance-based exercise — class. And here's the surprising part… I loved it. Zumba is an exercise in disguise. There are no workout machines with little dials monitoring heart beat and calorie burn, no exercise bikes or weights. Just an enthusiastic instructor bellowing "shake your booty" into the microphone even as she sways, swivels, twists and jumps to Latin music and encourages the class to follow. FOOTLOOSE ZUMBA'S RAPID-FIRE MOVES STRETCH THE CALVES and WARM UP HEAD AND SHOULDER ROLLS CAN LOOSEN THE NECK (BW Pic by Ritesh Sharma) And follow they do. From college-going teens to their aunties and uncles, everyone shakes and turns and sweats it out. And the best part — they do so with a smile. "We have so much fun. I dreaded going to the gym but I really look forward to the Zumba class," Pallavi Jain, a Delhi University student, informs me while wiping sweat off her face. She claims she has lost weight in the three months that she has attended Zumba classes. "What's more, I have tried some of the steps I have learnt here at parties and they are such a hit." Now that's killing two birds with one stone. The Zumba fitness craze began as an accident in the early 1990s when Colombian celebrity trainer Beto Perez forgot his usual music and had to improvise around the music he had in his car — traditional Latin salsa and merengue. The class was a huge success and Perez realised he was onto something big. Since then, Zumba's infectious, dance-infused blend of movements set to Latin and global beats has spread to 125 countries, with certified Zumba instructors working at thousands of locations worldwide. India alone has hundreds of instructors, not just in the metros, but also in smaller towns such as Jaipur and Secunderabad.Zumba (Spanish slang for buzz like a bee) is a total body cardio and aerobic dance workout. "It's a moderate form of exercise, and anyone can do it. It's an overall workout great for general fitness," says C.J. Suarez, senior group exercise manager at Fitness First India. A typical 60-minute class incorporates elements of merengue, salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, and hip-hop, and features exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats. ZUMBA'S DANCE-INFUSED BLEND OF MOVEMENTS HAS SPREAD ACROSS 125 COUNTRIES While head and shoulder rolls warm up the upper body and loosen the neck, rapid-fire footwork stretches the calves and strengthens the ankles. Latin dance's sultry moves also target your hips, firm up your abs and tighten your thighs and butt. And all this to Shakira, Beyonce and Lady Gaga's vocals.Fitness exercise routines are sometimes woven in. "While 70 per cent of the choreography and music is provided by the company (Zumba), we experiment with the rest," explains Suarez. So don't be surprised if you hear Bhangra or Bollywood music or throw air punches, moving arms and shoulders and engaging your upper and lower body. Some instructors such as Delhi-based Zumba trainer Sachin Shaniya even include yoga postures for cooling down the body."It's important to come down to the pre-exercise position by stretching and doing relaxing moves. The aim is to increase your stamina and not to tire you out," says Shaniya.While your dance moves may not be of the Jhalak Dikhla Jaa calibre, you will burn some serious calories. While dancing to Latin beats and chart-topping mixes, you'll torch between 600 and 700 calories per hour. The choreography consists of varied intensity levels that match the music's pace and type of movements, so Zumba challenges muscles, builds strength, and increases endurance. It also improves balance, tones muscles, reduces body fat and lowers blood pressure. Classes generally begin with a low-intensity song (for warm up), followed by one of medium intensity and two really high-intensity songs, before going back down to a low intensity song (for cooling down). There's a simple principle behind Zumba: have fun while getting fit. So what are you waiting for, get up and join the party.(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 02-07-2012)
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