Travel Curators

26/08/2022

A warm fire pushes back the night as young and old gather around frenzied drummers beating a tattoo in perfect unison. Drifting into view, priests draped in crisp white lungi announce the arrival of the gods. At last, the Theyyam can now begin.

Predating Hinduism, Theyyam harkens back to a time when tribal animism was the most common form of worship. Originated as a fertility ritual, members of the tribe dons a crimson costume, a face of fiery red paint, and breaks into a hypnotic dance that invites possession by the deities.

The ritual draws to a close as devotees await eagerly for their portion of blessing from dancers who transcended their mortal coil and attained the powers of the gods.

20/08/2022

Returning from a month-long August break, the Festes de la Mercè sends the city back into the holiday mood again. One of the biggest festivals in Barcelona's calendar, the four-day event brings together a host of eclectic performaces - from the folkloric parades of giants to the traditional Catalan correfoc (fire fun), to the nail-biting circus acts during the Nits al Castell (Nights of the castle).

If you've always wanted to experience the best of the City of Counts, there's no better time than September to add Barcelona to your travel list.

✨Looking for the perfect bespoke trip? Visit www.travel-curators.com today

08/08/2022

One of the last Kenyan tribe staying true to their ancenstral way of life, the Maasai people are kings of African Savannah. Nomadic and pastoralist, the Maasai tribe put down their roots in various regions across Kenya and northern Tanzania since time immemorial.

As a monotheistic people, Maasai devote themselves to the worship of Enkai, a mostly benevolent deity, bestows upon his people sweet rain and bitter hunger according to his changing mood.

According to legend, the Maasai people were afforded all cattle on earth, which led many to believe that rustling cattle from neighboring tribes is not a transgression, but a birthright.

22/07/2022

A few miles south of Siem Reap, the pristine Tonle Sap Lake runs deep and green, feeding into the mighty Mekong River that weaves through six different Asian countries. Home to floating villages and bustling markets, Tonle Sap is Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake and the beating heart of the Mekong basin.

Together with Bassac and Mekong, the Tonle Sap Lake forms a unique ecosystem teeming with more than 13 species of turtles, 23 species of snakes, and 200 species of fish.

Around the month of August, the reversed flow of the river caused by the flooding in the Mekong sweeps hordes of unsuspecting freshwater fish up North, back into Tonle Sap.

This unique phenomenon cemented the lake as a prime candidate for restorative and sustainability projects, earning it a spot on the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve list.

15/07/2022

A few well-rehearsed strokes of the Kris (heirloom sword), a towering crimson-red lion looming overhead. Donning an animalistic mask and thick fur adorned with gilded jewelry, performers of the sanghyang dance tell of the ancient Balinese myth; the eternal battle between good and evil - the tale of Barong and Rangda.

Condemned for her use of black magic, demonic spirits of the jungle descended on the Medang kingdom at Rangda’s command, ravaging the land with pestilence and death. Helpless in the face of evil and a bewitched army cursed to turn swords on themselves, King Airlangga called upon the mythical Barong to cast a protective spell that rendered the skin of his entranced soldiers impenetrable to the biting edge of their own Kris.

27/06/2022

An air of reverent anticipation permeates the streets of Kyoto, pulsating, as the month of July rolls around. Gion Matsuri, the biggest annual festival in Japan, is a multiday event that's equal parts religious observance and raucous street festival.

Beginning in 869 as a way to appease the gods during an epidemic, the festival has evolved into a huge celebration of Kyoto's culture that's drawn tourists from all over the world.

According to tradition, a local boy, chosen as a sacred messenger to the gods, sits on one of the many elaborate floats paraded through downtown Kyoto, with his feet never touching the ground. The parades are preceded by three evenings of celebration known as Yoiyama, where many slip into their yukata robes and visit the gorgeous Gion floats, buy good luck charms known as "Chimaki" and enjoy the night feasting on local street snacks.

10/06/2022

Our latest travels brought us to Limpopo Province, home of the famed and fabled Baobab trees.

Nestled in the enigmatic Karongwe Private Game Reserve with a front row seat to the beautiful Makhutswi River, the luxurious Becks Safari Lodge offers an unparalleled African safari experience that puts the majestic Big Five of Africa front and centre. From graceful giraffes that silently roam the lake’s open plains, to ferocious lions that thunder after unsuspecting preys, wildlife lovers are treated to an immersive safari experience that does not compromise on familiar creature comforts.

21/05/2022

The capital of Japan for more than a thousand years, a visit to Kyoto is a step back in time. Steeped in religious customs and spiritual practices, the city is endowed with sacred temples, majestic pagodas, and resplendent gardens of every size and description.

Head down the streets of Gion to meet with the beautiful geishas (Geiko) of Kyoto. Donning brightly-coloured silk and wooden clogs, these women of art are master performers with an array of skills such as parlor games, traditional dance, and flower arrangement. Having spent more years in training than their Kanto counterparts, an encounter with a Geiko would grant travellers a deeper appreciation for Kyoto’s unyielding fervor for traditions.

19/05/2022

13/05/2022

Rimmed by the Himalayas, Nepal is as sacred as it is stunning. Rooted in the Buddhist tradition, Buddha Purnima (Vesak Day) is celebrated with much reverence and fervour.

One day a year, devotees lay aside all manners of extravagance for asceticism, swapping meat for a bowl of rice porridge in remembrance of Gautam Buddha's ascension to Nirvana.​

For bespoke adventures designed around your travel wants and needs, visit www.travel-curators.com.

06/05/2022

[Book of the month | World Travel]​

Having seen more of the world than most, Anthony Bourdain's travels took him from the mythical kingdom of Bhutan, to the desert solitude of Oman's Empty Quarter – and beyond. ​

A lifetime of experiences collected and bound into a 400-page adventure, World Travel overflows with raw advice, captivating stories, and useful travel tips by the beloved irreverent chef. ​

Come on down to our reimagined travel experience lounge (World X) and sink your teeth into the late chef's juicy guide as you enjoy a delicate cup of Sri Lankan tea cultivated by famed tea estates, on the house.

22/04/2022

Located in the town of Aizuwakamatsu, with the air of an early Meiji era store, the Ozawa Candle Shop is home to a renowned craftsman who specializes in making Aizu candles decorated with tree peonies, camellias, and wisteria using traditional techniques dating back 500 years.

Prized as gifts to members of the shogunal and imperial courts during the Edo period, 8th generation owner Tetsuji Ozawa and his wife, Shigeko continues to preserve art of candle-making with an unwavering fire.

14/04/2022

Tucked away in the east of Tokyo, the Chiba prefecture is known and loved for many things.​

​From bubbling hot springs hidden in the mountains to rolling fields that blush and bloom with the seasons, Chiba calls out to all city dwellers pining for the gentle touch of nature.

08/04/2022

Housing one of the world's tallest indoor waterfalls and a lush mountain clad with more than 135 species of plants from all around the world, the Cloud Forest Conservatory is a sight to behold.​

Get lost in the clouds as you make your way to the Lost World located at the top of the mountain to discover the teeming biodiversity and geology of cloud forests. Take a stroll along the floating walkway at dusk for an ariel view of the canopy and mountainside below as the city flickers to life.

29/03/2022

“High-quality iron kettles can only be made by human hands.“

These are the words of Noriyasu Kikuchi, the 15th generation master of his family's cast iron foundry. Descended from a long line of respected artisans, Noriyasu's family history reaches back to the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1574-1600).

Renowned for their iron-casting techniques that produced everything from cast iron teapots for emperors to swords for feudal warlords, Noriyasu now turns his focus to preserving the samurai roots of the Kikuchi brand through exquisite contemporary products made to withstand the ravages of time.

08/03/2022

Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka is Sigiriya, an ancient city swallowed by a vast sea of untamed forest.

Built by King Kashyapa I in the fifth century, Sigiriya stood as the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom till the demise of its patricidal king in A.D. 495.

Perched precipitously on a massive rocky plateau formed from the magma of an extinct volcano, the last vestige of the fallen kingdom dominates the skies between the town of Dambulla and Habarane. For travelers with a bent for history, Sigiriya is a sight not to be missed.

02/02/2022

For those who read Chinese, here's another coverage of our acquisition of Dynasty Travel International by Singapore's largest media company Mediacorp:
https://www.8world.com/finance/new-owner-transforming-dynasty-travel-into-travel-tech-company-1716401

拥有40多年历史的旅行社Dynasty Travel（原名华宫旅游）正式易主，本地旅游科技公司Travel Curators从日本最大旅游公司JTB全面收购Dynasty Travel，计划将传统的旅行社服务数码化。 Travel Curators成立于2016年，创始人張天議告诉《8视界新...