Elephant polo: sounds like a joke but is deadly serious

It is one of the more curious events on the international sporting calendar, but one that is deadly serious about raising funds for animal welfare. 

The 15th King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament will be held by the banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River from March 9-12. 

Sponsored by Anantara Hotels and Resorts, the tournament has become one of the biggest charitable events in South-East Asia with over US $1.3 million raised and donated to projects that better the lives of Thailand’s wild and domesticated elephant population. 

These include the world’s first Thai Elephant-Assisted Autistic Therapy Project; positive reinforcement elephant training workshops; mahout community development initiatives, and wild elephant conservation.

A total of 30 unemployed former street elephants will take part in this year’s festival during which they will be given full veterinary checks and care, food and drink and essential vitamin supplements. 

The welfare of the elephants that participate in the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament is of paramount importance, organisers say, with strict rules ensuring that the pachyderms are well cared for at all times. 

By imposing a “no micro-chip, no game” rule, Anantara guarantees that all participating elephants have been domestically bred and not captured from the wild or smuggled in from neighbouring countries.

The 2017 event will have 10 teams encompassing over 40 players, including Thai celebrities, supermodels, professional horse polo players and New Zealand rugby players. The four-day festival will also feature an opening parade, Children’s Educational Day, Ladies' Day known as The ‘Bangkok Ascot’ and fun elephant-related activities.

Anantara has long been associated with elephant conservation efforts with the formation of The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, which has performed over 40 rescues of elephants off the streets of Thailand.

For details see: www.anantaraelephantpolo.com/ 

A Spanish accent for the greatest wine show on earth

It is the trade fair to end all trade fairs and the party to end all parties is you are a member of the wine business. 

Founded in 1981, Vinexpo is the world’s leading show for wine and spirits professionals and is held in Bordeaux in odd-numbered years. 

Vinexpo leads to sold-out hotels and restaurants and some of the flashiest cocktail parties around, as well as some serious business transactions.

For first-timers (I have only been once), its scale is overwhelming, but it does provide a chance to rub shoulders with wine's most powerful movers and shakers and taste wines you may never have seen before.

Initial figures suggest 2350 wineries from 42 countries and a staggering 48,500 trade visitors from over 150 nations. 

Oh look, there is Domenico Zonin, managing director, Casa Vinicola Zonin, and yes, that is Peter Gago, chief winemaker from Penfolds. And are you going to the party hosted by Martin Krajewski from Chateau Cantenac? 

And in recent years Vinexpo has expanded. Since 1998, Vinexpo Hong Kong (formerly known as Vinexpo Asia-Pacific) has taken place in even-numbered years, and in 2014, Vinexpo expanded to the Japanese market with the debut of Vinexpo Tokyo, also held in even-numbered years. 

Vinexpo is back in Bordeaux this year; from June 18-21 and this year will see a special Spanish focus on June 19, with an exclusive tasting party pairing fine Spanish wines with foods by some of Spain’s top chefs. 

Everyone will be looking for tickets to this soiree at the Palais de la Bourse in Bordeaux’s historic city centre. 

“A Taste of Spain is shaping up to be one of the most provocative and essential events of Vinexpo Bordeaux 2017,” said Vinexpo CEO Guillaume Deglise. 

“We’re proud to work with Wine Spectator to attract such a prestigious line-up of bodegas to the exhibition. Their presence will add a new dimension to Vinexpo parties and will offer great opportunities to international buyers throughout the show. The tasting itself will be a must for any Vinexpo attendee.”

A Taste of Spain will shine a spotlight on the great wines of Spain with more than 100 Spanish bodegas invited to present their wines alongside food from the likes of chefs Ferran Adrià and José Andrés.

For details: www.vinexpobordeaux.com/

Does business class offer value for money?

There was a debate on the Australian Frequent Flyer website this morning about the value of flying business class. 

There is no doubt business can be very expensive; and to be quite honest I don't see any value for flights of six hours or under. 

Bigger seats, better food? Who needs them when you will have landed in a few hours? 

The one thing to make certain of avoiding is a middle seat in economy - when people on both sides can overflow into your seat. 

For over 12 hours, and particularly for ultra-long-haul, business comes into its own - but only if the carrier features lie-flat beds so you can get a full night of sleep.

If you need to arrive at a business appointment in London or New York fresh and ready to go, then it really makes a huge difference. If the seat is just merely more comfortable then save your cash and have a massage or arrival, or treat yourself to a slap-up meal. 

Business class may offer a more comfortable seat and a better meal, but not everyone sees the benefits. 

In the end, the decision can be whether you'd rather multiple trips in economy, rather than a single trip at the front. 

When redeeming frequent flyer points, business class typically costs double the number of points as an economy ticket. which makes redemption better value than buying a business ticket, which can cost as much as 10x an economy fare. 

If you've got the cash (or your company does), then sure, a seat that converts into a lie-flat bed, as well as the enhanced service and privacy on board is very nice. There can also be perks like priority check-in, a higher baggage allowance and lounge access. 

It all comes down to research. There is nothing more disappointing than turning left and finding business is not much better than economy. Check out the details first. 

But as Australian Frequent Flyer points out, once you've flown long-haul in business class, it can be very difficult to go back to cattle class! 

All-time great set for Leeuwin Estate concert

Iconic singer-songwriter James Taylor and his band will perform at the 33rd annual Leeuwin Concert in Margaret River on Saturday, February 18 as the final concert of their Australian tour.

Taylor's songbook encompasses timeless hits including Fire and Rain, Country Road, Sweet Baby James, Carolina In My Mind and many more.

He scored his first #1 single with You’ve Got a Friend, written by long-time friend Carole King and earning him his first Grammy Award for Best Pop Male Vocal.

Taylor has sold more than 100 million albums, earned 40 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards and five Grammy Awards, with his Greatest Hits album earning him the prestigious Diamond Award for sales in excess of 10 million units in the US.

Tickets for what will be the 33rd Leeuwin Concert have sold out (other than some premium packages), but I hear a whisper it might be worth getting on the waitlist as soon as possible. 

Images of the Taste of Tasmania

There are still three days left to visit the Taste of Tasmania, the annual food and wine festival held on the Hobart waterfront.

The week-long festival aims to celebrate Tasmanian food, drinks, produce, arts, culture and music and coincides with the arrival of the yachts in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart race.

Families and children are catered for at the Family Fun Zone on Hobart's Parliament House Lawns, an alcohol-free area offering plenty of activities.

Daily programming includes a dedicated area for sporting activities and games, family outdoor board games, cooking classes for children, jumping castles and children's rides, various workshops, face painting, buskers, performers, and other family entertainment.

For adults, there are cooking classes, wine tastings and entertainment.

The Forecourt stage is the festival focal point for stage-based acts and busker performances throughout the day. 

Here are some photos  of what to expect: 

Tasmania's largest food and wine festival is free to enter and concludes on the evening of January 3. 

A weekend getaway in gourmet country

Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are among the most popular gourmet destinations in Victoria; dotted with restaurants, cafés and wine bars and within an easy drive from Melbourne.

The newest designer home for rent here is Alchemy House, run by Linda Crittenden and the same award-winning team behind Lakeside Villas at Crittenden on the Mornington Peninsula.

Capable of hosting up to six adults in different configurations, Alchemy House is located between Daylesford and Hepburn Springs - and just a stroll from the restaurants and Bathing House in Hepburn.

It is a former weatherboard mining cottage tastefully tarted-up with relaxation in mind; stylish and spacious.



Each bedroom has a king bed, the living room has a timber fireplace and eye-catching armchairs, and the modern kitchen is fully equipped to cook up a storm. Open-plan living means room to relax with friends, but there are also comfortable nooks in which to relax in private, as well as a garden with a barbecue and a sun terrace.

There is a coffee machine in the kitchen, games and train tracks for little ones, as well as DVDs and books to read.

All linen is provided together with quality organic bath soaps from Appelles Apothecary, and a choice of pillows, as well as ducted heating and air conditioning.

This house is the renter's to enjoy with no interruptions from your host. It is suitable for group getaways, families occasions or wedding groups.



And there are all those great restaurants within a short drive, including The Lake House, Mercato and The Farmer's Arms.

Alchemy House is available to book from January 3, 2017. Rates are $350/night (Sun-Thu) for 2 nights or more; $475/night (Fri-Sat) 2-night minimum; $550 for 1 night (Sun-Thu). Contact Linda Crittenden info@lakesidevillas.com.au. (03) 5987 3275.