Some movie I saw years ago, the name of which escapes me (no shock there), mentioned the importance of having a theme song.  That everyone needs a theme song to get them through the day.  I wish I could remember what movie it was, but nevermind, the idea resonated with me.

Lately I have been thinking about journeys I want to take, and trying to work them around a theme..song.  There’s something about the idea of a trip to India covering all the basic “must see” elements that leaves me flatter than Naan.  Don’t get me wrong, I know it would be a mind bending and utterly fabulous adventure, but these days, I’m wanting that theme song – a link that brings a story alive, a splash of history, a greater emotional connection to my travel choices. India seen through the eyes of Rudyard Kipling would be something altogether different.  It conjures up images of Riki Tiki Tavi.  Of louvered doors and overgrown gardens with pebble paths and, mongooese (mongeese?) and of course, ssssssssnakes.

A journey I took to Scotland nearly 17 years ago was based on a theme.   Why Scotland?  Great country.  Lovely people.  Verdant landscape, but ohmygod cold.  Cold, cold horrifyingly cold.  But the real reason we were there – in the Highlands outside of Inverness to be exact, was Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series of novels, which I loved and which inspired my fascination (obsession) with all things Scot, particularly with the Jacobites, Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Battle of Culloden of 1746 – the battle which ultimately did away with the clans.  No kidding, I must have spent 8 hours combing the stark (and soo cold) moor which was the Culloden battlefield, trying to imagine what it must have been like as the Jacobites were completely outflanked, and willing each of my senses to be as present as they could, to grab every sensoral cue to bring me closer to this tragic period.  Consequently for me, Scotland isn’t about Nessie, St. Andrews or even haggis.  Its about the Highlands and the clans.

Another journey had me and my husband Stuart, and son Coop, in East Africa.  My take was slightly different than the set itinerary. You see, East Africa, to me, is all about the early 1900s, when colonialism was establishing a strong toe-hold, when the idea of a posting in Kenya was like being sent to the last frontier – where the air was hot, yet soft and scented with frangipani and the roar of a lion in the middle of the night is as commonplace as a car alarm in a big city.  Where women were strong and could handle a shotgun with agility and singular focus.  I would have given anything to have lived during the time of “Out of Africa”, with Karen von Blixen and Berkelely Cole and Lord Delamere (and possibly John Barry’s music as my theme score).  Of Beryl Markham and of course, Denys Finch-Hatten.  I would happily go back to Africa to recreate some of the times, visit her farm in Karen, outside of Nairobi, “at the base of the Ngong hills”, camps, buildings (Like Lake Elementaita, where Berkeley Cole called home for quite awhile), right across a lake of pink flamingos from Lord Delamere’s enormous estate, which is still there.  If someone said let’s go to Kenya, stay at the Norfolk in Nairobi, visit Karen and take a safari on horseback or foot, in the classic manner, with the white canvas tents and period music, I WOULD BE THERE TOMORROW.

What are some other destinations that lend themselves to themes beyond what is expected?  Because those are the kinds of journeys that I’m interested in.  I invite your thoughts and ideas.

To all the Fernandos and Chiquititas out there…

Opening just two weeks ago, ABBAWORLD is a museum-cum-theme park in London with enough music, mementoes and memory-lane appeal to satisfy even the most fervent ABBA fan (and you KNOW who you are).

“It started with, ‘How do we give the visitor a big hug in each room?”‘ said Magnus Danielsson of ABBAWORLD. “This is going to be more like going to ‘Mamma Mia!’ than going to an exhibition. We want people to sing and dance.”

“The exhibition tells the band’s story in 25 rooms spread over 30,000 square feet (2,800 sq. meters). Glass cases contain spangly costumes in silk, satin and spandex. Visitors can see recreations of Polar Studios, where the band recorded, and the seaside cabin near Stockholm where Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson composed the band’s hits.

One corner holds the helicopter pictured on the cover of the 1976 album “Arrival.”

An ambitious interactive element lets visitors take quizzes, recreate the band’s sound at a mixing desk, or dance and sing alongside an animated ABBA via “holographic video” technology. The gift shop features Abba T-shirts, teddy bears, jigsaw puzzles and figurines – along with CDs.

An audioguide – narrated by Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard, one of the stars of the film version of “Mamma Mia!” – traces ABBA’s story, from the members’ amateur teenage bands to stardom. The breakthrough came in 1974, when the band was the surprise winner of the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo” – a song that brought ABBA’s mix of bouncy pop melodies, multilayered harmonies and slightly silly lyrics to the world.”

For the full article, click here.

Park Plaza Nottingham - Lobby

April, 2008

Overnighted at the Park Plaza last weekend – Saturday night. Starting from the top, location makes it very tricky to park while dumping bags & spouses to check in – very busy street and no real porter. You have to pull over, throw on the hazards, throw out the bags (and spouse) and navigate your way across the traffic to the industrial car park across the street.

Hip, modern, minimalist lobby – think cement & neon. Fine. Nice staff. Gave us a room on the 10th floor with a fantastic view – very large. Definitely ask for a room on a higher floor, as the main drag, as in drawback, is just that, the main drag and all the associative noise.  Room strengths – good mini bar, crisp duvet, nice bathroom – all the modern fitments – especially welcomed after staying in cottage-ish little hotels in the English countryside.  Also great windows that actually open!  Love that.  Weaknesses – slightly rough around the edges.  The carpet in particular, gave me the willies.  Back on a positive note – the gym on the 11th floor has floor/ceiling views of the city and is actually, quite a cool, self-contained little spa. Had it all to myself on Saturday afternoon and enjoyed it very much. Another positive – staff very friendly and courteous, if somewhat hard to find at times.

Note – during weekends, this definitely appears to be a party hotel, so do expect noise and the associated hoop-la. We sat in the lobby bar (NEON bar – literally) and were endlessly amused by the cast of characters in various states of inebriation attending hens & stags nights. More of a giggle than anything. Otherwise, location is very central and Nottingham has a lot of great little boutiques and bistros – very worth exploring, not to mention the castle and famous Trip to Jerusalem pub. We would probably stay here again.