The Butterfly (Stroke) Effect

While studying architecture and journalism in Manipal, Tushar Pathiyan and Ishita Malaviya developed an odd extra-curricular activity, one that has seldom been seen around these parts – surfing. “We got into it and were stoked right away,” explains Tushar, who talks (and we hope, looks) like the quintessential surfer boy. After a couple of years of exploring the sport, they began to offer friends lessons, and the great response they received led to the Shaka Surf Club Surf Shack, which formally opens for business this season. Wave hello!

What Do You Sink?

Now, Tushar and Ishita offer surfing lessons to anyone interested in the sport; in fact, the beach that they operate out of, located about 20 minutes from Manipal, is ideal for beginners – the waves are gentle, and there are no rocks or reef, so even if you take a tumble, chances that you’ll hurt yourself are slim. “Surfing is not dangerous, as long as you understand your skill level and stick with what you can handle,” explains Tushar. Still, even beginners need to have certain skills, like knowing how to swim and being comfortable in the water. “We don’t work with non-swimmers,” Tushar says firmly. And although they concentrate on training beginners, The Shaka Surf Club holds advanced-level courses as well, conducted by experienced international surfers travelling to India.

The Formula 1 Grand Prix zooms into Singapore this weekend, (hopefully) bringing some much needed chaos to this uber-organised city. We dig up notes from a recent holiday for your racy trip east. Get, set, go!

Special thanks to Singapore residents Yeshwant Holkar and Insiyah Imani for their hospitality and recommendations.

Eat

If there was one time we would use the much-overdone word “foodie”, it would be to describe Singapore. The restaurant scene here is diverse, extensive and top notch, with every local touting one (or five) recommendations for the best places to eat at. Prepare for gluttony.

If you’re amongst the carnivores that routinely bemoan the lack of good steak in Mumbai, head first to Cut (we did), Wolfgang Puck’s swanky steakhouse at Marina Bay Sands. Also check out Min Jiang in Rochester Park, a Chinese restaurant that serves up super crispy duck, Shanghai dumplings and lots of vegetarian dishes; and Wild Honey for breakfast - mean egg burritos and gorgeous waffles stuffed with grilled mangos.

Other good options: Chili and pepper crabs at Jumbo, Dempsey; barbequed sting ray and more street  food at Newton Circus or Makansutra at Esplanade; Margarita’s at Dempsey for Mexican fare.

Getting there: Cut, Marina Bay Sands, 1 Bayfront Avenue, call +65 6688 8517; Min Jiang, Goodwood Park Hotel, call +65 67301704; Wild Honey, Mandarin Gallery
333 Orchard Road, call +65 6235 3900.

Drink

One weekend in Singapore, and our livers demanded a divorce. Prepare for the debauchery to  come  with a nice, civilized drink at the pretty courtyard bar at Raffles Hotel, or go up to the less pleasant and more touristy Long Bar,  where the Singapore  Sling was invented  - get one if you must, but know that they are overtly sweet and generally undrinkable.

For a more rowdy scene head to Kinki, a rooftop bar where we were introduced to evil Japanese Bomb shots and randomly reunited with old friends – or go across the street to Lantern, rooftop bar at the Fullerton Bay Hotel. Also fun is Chinatown, with a line of small, fun bars we dimly remember spending a margarita-soaked evening in.

Auto Pilot

“Ay Auto!” When MBA students Vikas Menon, Gopi Arvind and Shreyas Parekh shouted these two words on the desolate night street outside their campus, no black and yellow came. This happened numerous times and then desperate times called for desperate measures. The trio put their heads together and came up with something to make the lives of every Punekar easier: Ay Auto, a week-old dial-a-rickshaw service that operates from 7 pm to 7 am.

What: “Slow Travel” vacations at High On Travel, click here for membership to their exclusive Travelers Club (specially for bpb subscribers!), Rs 1,250 for a craft and cuisine tour of the Jaipur bazaar.

Why: Built by an IIT Bombay graduate, this cool new website curates tours, hotels and activities that allow visitors to “connect with the location and its people”. Currently on the roster is a home stay in Wayanad, Kerala; visits to Batalik villages, where the entire population has descended from Alexander the Great; and a walk through hidden lanes of Jaipur. High On Travel also has an exclusive club where members are offered freebies and add-ons to a rotating selection of trips. Currently on the cards – 25% off a trip to Cunoor, including tea appreciation at Tenerife Hill and a cheese-making holiday at Acres Wild.

When: You want to experience jet lag.

The sex monkey has a twin, and this one wants to get you high on adrenaline rather than alcohol: all hail the entrance of Bonobo Adventures, a travel company by the same guys behind Bandra’s beloved bar, designed to introduce amateurs (yes, I’m talking to you) to the great outdoors.

What’s the connection between a bar and a vacation planner, you may ask, and rightly so – they seem like two different animals. But according to Sahil Timbadia, a partner at Bonobo, they are actually the same species. “Running Bonobo, we’ve learnt what people need to have a good time,” he explains. “We know what they want, and we know how to deliver it. A lot of those can be applied to the tourism industry. Plus, internationally, pubs often organize trips for their patrons and we wanted to do something similar at Bonobo.”

The Ape of Good Hope

Timbadia is an adventure junkie himself, and one of the key players behind Bonobo Adventures. During his multiple mountaineering, rafting, kite surfing and don’t-even-ask trips, he has built a repertoire of knowledge and personal relationships with major travel agencies, both of which he plans to leverage for his new venture. “I know all the major tourism players personally, so they’ll give me flexibility and deals that are otherwise impossible to get,” he told us. Plus, Bonobo Adventures promises to monitor each stage of the trip closely, making sure all of their 15 to 30 travellers are well served.

Refugee and immigration lawyer Aurina Chatterji does a fair bit of travel. Born in Mumbai, studied in London and Montreal, currently working in Toronto, she recently returned from a holiday in Laos with a doggie bag for bpb. No awkward paws, please.

When we told people we were travelling to Laos for a vacation. we were often met with blank stares: "But....why?" People enquired with gentle bewilderment. "I hear it's lovely," we often sputtered, unable to articulate the allure of this little Asian country.  Surrounded by stalwarts of tourism, Laos still remains curiously off-the-beaten path for most non-backpackers, an emerald wonder still navigating its way to the 21st century. Technically still a communist state, Laos has little to offer in the way of shopping, but compensates with its gorgeous wats (pagodas), superbly maintained colonial architecture, 85% forest cover, the rusty Mekong and much to everyone's surprise - its food.

Eating Out in Vientiane (The Capital of Laos)

bpb freebie: Subscribers get wild discount from Trips Gone Crazy. For this and other cool deals, as well as FREE city updates in your inbox, enter your email in the subscription box.

What: Kue Bar, The Westin, 36/3-B Koregaon Park Annexe, Mundhawa Road, Ghorpadi, call 020 67210000.

Why: You’ll find elements of Cuba in the fruity cocktails, tapas and music set that make up the brand new Kue Bar that opened at the Westin last evening. We suggest you get one of the circular booths and order a Cocktail Hemingway accompanied by a plate of beer drunken prawns (see recipe below).

When: You want to be fit as Fidel.

***

What: Newsdrink.com, invite code: brownpaperbag, free membership.

Why: Newsdrink.com is the new Marie biscuit. A fresh aggregator site for newspapers, magazines and blogs from around the world, it’s the perfect accompaniment to your morning cup of tea. We love: Foreign Policy, Reuters’ Oddly Enough Blog and Two Guys Around TheWorld Photo Blog. What would be really fun, however, is if Newsdrink gives us access to paid subscriptions. Just a suggestion. Indian publications will be out next week, and a mobile app, next month.

When: You need a free press journal.

***

What: Home-made tarts and pies by Cocoa, call 9823155866 to order, approx Rs 700 for a ten inch pie.

Why: Have love and crust issues? Call Le Cordon Bleu (London) educated Gayatri Shirke who makes warm, crumbly pies and tarts that taste like home. Available in apple, lemon, chocolate and almond-pear. Besides the pie chart, also ask to see her list of other desserts that include cupcakes, cookies, cheesecakes and one highly recommended Choc Supreme mousse cake.

When: Now, in our crumble opinion.

One of us Scouters is in New York this week, gathering up pointers for your next trip over (come on, it’s only two continents and a 14 hour flight away!). Are your feet itching yet?

Restaurants are so last week – supper clubs (defined as a dining experience that “most often involves a non-professional host who invites people to his or her home and cooks for them...seating is usually very limited, guests do not necessarily know each other, and generally leave a contribution for the experience”) are the new way to wine and dine.

We get the founders of the recently launched Eatizens.com – get your bpb invite here – to dish on their favourite supper clubs in NYC. Home delivery!

Gastronauts, Manhattan (also Los Angeles) - Specializing in the rare and the strange, this very popular supper club is guaranteed to surprise you!

Whisk & Ladle, Brooklyn - Set in a Williamsburg loft apartment, this is a rather large gathering with some of the best food and drinks around.

Forking Tasty, Brooklyn- Lots of fun food events, some based on other activities (dinner and a film screening for example).

i8, Manhattan - Jeff Chinman's events are delicious, thoughtful and intimate.

Brooklyn Fork & Spoon, Brooklyn - Three wonderful sweethearts make intimate vegetarian meals in Greenpoint.

One of us Scouters is in New York this week, gathering up pointers for your next trip over (come on, it’s only two continents and a 14 hour flight away!). Are your feet itching yet?

Kym Canter is a writer-stylist who's covered fashion for a host of publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and Elle Magazine, L-atitude.com and The Village Voice. She's also the author of the adorable Star Von Bunny - a Model Tale. Kym takes us on a hip hop around the best vintage stores in the Big Apple.

Uptown New York City maybe the epicenter of designer fashion but downtown especially below 14th street is the place to find treasure troves of vintage clothes, jewels and jeans. The stores listed below are a bit off the beaten track and won’t show up in many guidebooks which makes the prices a bit more reasonable and the offerings more unique. Enjoy!

Stock Vintage

With a focus on menswear vintage, this shop prides itself on offering only the best quality pieces and keeping their customer in the perfect pre worn work wear. Don’t be surprised to see the Ralph Lauren design team shopping for inspiration. 143 E 13th St # 2, New York, call +1212.505.2505.

Fillie de Joie Vintage

The name of the store translates to "Lady of Leisure" and the contents translate to "amazing." Get lost in the chic, whimsical and sexy vintage pieces that this Parisian boudoir styled shop has to offer. 197 Grand Street, Brooklyn, call +1718.599.3525.

Some Odd Rubies

An eponymous label and a collection of reworked vintage pieces anchor this LES shop. You’ll fall in love with Summer Phoenix and Ruby Canner’s use of whimsical prints and figure flattering silhouettes. 151 Ludlow St # 1, New York, call +1212.353.1736.

Daha Vintage and Consignment

Hours will feel like minutes as you browse through the seemingly endless racks of affordable vintage goods that will make your heart flutter. The footwear selection is particularly impressive. 175 Orchard Street New York, call +1212.388.1176.

Pippin Vintage Jewelry

bpb freebie: Super discount on monsoon packages at  Saj Resort, Mahabaleshwar. For this and other deals as well as a FREE fortnightly guide in your inbox, enter your email in the subscription box.

What: Bric-a-brac from new label Quirk Box, view the Facebook group here, available at Either Or, 24, Sohrab Hall, 21, Sassoon Road, opposite Jehangir Hospital, call 020 26050225, start at Rs 295.

Why: Pune based graphic artist Jayesh Sachdev and Mumbai fashion designer Rixi Bhatia pooled their resources to come up with a box full of quirks. This they opened up in Pune last weekend to reveal wallets and dresses, wall art and notebooks covered in mad minions and psychedelic animals. While Sachdev’s favourite is the Ice Cream Factory Dress, he’s also excited about the range of boxer shorts out in September.

When: You believe in Rixis and elves.

***

What: Rainmaker’s Shack, a secret lodge, Hippie Hills, 24 kms from Lonavala, call McMathew on 09860388804 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , view the Facebook group here,  starts at Rs 3,000 a night and Rs 1,500 for three meals.

Why: When the Rainmaker’s Shack at Lonavala started gaining too much attention, owner McMathew shut shop and moved to a secret jungle location across Pawna lake. Prior registration and approval (recommendations and common Facebook friends help) will get you a map that leads to two deck rooms and a log cabin on a water-facing property. Here you can cycle, barbeque, swim, fish, trek. Also, knowing a certain “Jim Morrison” (listed as the manager on their Facebook group) is bound to open up a few Doors.

When: You want to figure out lodge-istics.

Also see ten Indian fests you should be attending in 2011. PS: Magical mushrooms, Mohit Chauhan and Metallica are involved.