Dashi Namdakov: A Nomad's Universe

Arrivederci Capri

Caesar Augustus Hotel Anacapri, what a view!

And another view from my hotel

Charming Saints protecting the houses

Hats off Capri Tiberio Hotel

La Terraza of a Private home

Via Tagara

Colour Burst

Back streets of Capri

Beware Jewellery Galore Everywhere..love all the gold on tanned skin.

Leaving La Fontinella with the little yacht called Rising Sun in the background..

Crisp and fresh Italian Rosé

Caesar Augustus Anacapri gorgeous hotel .

Carthusia Parfumeria di Capri, great gifts .

Beautiful staircase at The Capri Tiberio Palace decorated by Giampiero Panepinto

Sunset drinks at la Piazzetta

Love Poems by Pablo Neruda on the Arco Naturale Trail

The view from Punta Tagara

Il Riccio Dessert Room..heaven

Yumm

Full moon view from my balcony

Wonderful invite for the opening of Faraone Mennella’s jewellery shop in Capri.

Now back home , am feeling blue after the magical time that I had in the Isole delle Sirene called Capri. I can hear their call, myth or not, just as Roman Emperors Caesar Augustus and Tiberius did amongst many many others.

You are hypnotized to eat like you have never eaten before thinking you will not eat again after your last amazing meal in one of the wonderful restaurants, and guess what? Hours later you are hungry again and running to another restaurant...so Capri is a lot about its delicious and fresh food , but the good thing is that you have to walk everywhere there are no cars on the island, as its a maze of narrow paths.

There are amazing walks like the Arco Naturale trail, but make sure you wear comfortable shoes on this one, we didn't it thanks to my spacey local friend who forgot how long the trail was. Should have paid attention to the receptionist of the hotel when she looked at us in horror when we left the hotel, we climbed over 400 really huge and steps on our hands and knees after having all ready walked 45 minutes in espadrilles and wedges for her, oh and I was wearing a dress ...wanted to kill her by the end we were soaked in sweat with makeup running down our faces, branches in our hair and it was dark by the time we got the to the restaurant Il Grotelle, but don't let that put you off...its spectacular the walk in running shoes and shorts. We did laugh and almost cry too... and then I had a huge plate of spaghetti Aglio e olio and lots of wine to calm my self.

 Yes eating is the favourite sport here and crazy romantic or challenging walks...but the best walks are done around the shops, Linen shops, handmade sandals, jewellery galore, cashmere, scents and more. You know you are in Italy when the men's shops are better than the women's ones..

At sunset there is always amazing outdoor concerts, classical, Neapolitan, or even Kazakhstani , you can hear the music flow all over Capri, it is so beautiful, or the outdoor cinema to watch old Italian movies. Also visiting or staying in Anacapri is essential, very different to Capri, the air is cooler, crispier and the views are spectacular. Its like being in the countryside of Capri. My favourite thing to do there is go to the Caesare Augustus hotel for sunset drinks, just heaven..I will stay there for a few days next time, want to get know this part of the island better and with that view!

Or if lazy just hire a boat to take you around the island stopping off to swim in beautiful bays, look at incredible boats anchored of the island or got to one of the beach clubs to hangout and yes eat again and even day excursions to Positano or Nerano.

I could go on and on, obviously I love Capri as do many others. Thank you my friend for giving me a wonderful holiday in your childhood island. Can't wait to go back, I can hear the Siren's call..

Till we meet again xo

All Pictures taken by Vision of Splendor.

Acrylicious

 Modern Acrylic Designs by Alexandra von Furstenberg

1970's Lucite Game Table via 1stDibds

Pair of 1950's Lucite and Wood End Tables via VandM

Lucite X Chair with Clint Greggory Cushion via VandM

Triangle Lucite Lamp with Zebra Shade by Clint Greggory via VandM

Set of Albrizzi Ice Buckets via VandM

1960's Lucite and Black Patent Leather Dinette Set via 1stDibs

Shades of red and pink Screens by Emmanuelle Moureaux

Kodachi Aroma Sticks Stand by Emmanuelle Moureaux

"There Is No Chair"  Red Chair Quan via Jia Moderne

1970's Italian Lucite Candle Holders via 1stDibs

Acrylic , there seems to be so many different types of names for this plastic , Lucite being my favourite,  something to do with the quality and colouring and how wears with time, that is why I leave the technical data to the experts.

What I do know is that here are so many beautiful ways to use this material as shown above, I always like Lucite/Acrylic for its light but yet durable quality. The way it reflects light and seems to be complimentary to finishes like brass, leather , wood to name a few, or Just with bold colours that offset strong lines in a modern design. It inspires me, maybe ill contact one of these designers to customize something for me.

Plastic is fantastic xo

Resources.

www.alexandravonfurstenberg.com

www.1stdibs.com

www.emmauelle.jp

www.jiamoderne.com

www.vandm.com

Olympic Fever : Nadia Comaneci

This morning I was watching tv and suddenly Nadia Comaneci popped up on the screen carrying the Olympic Torch. Memories came flooding back of watching her with my father in Caracas back in the 70's. He was obsessed by her perfection... and perfect she was, the first gymnast in history to be given the perfect sore of 10.00 at the Montreal Olympics in 1976. At 14 years old Romanian Nadia went on to win seven perfect tens, three gold medals, one bronze, one silver.

Four years later at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Comaneci earned two more gold medals and two silver to bring her Olympic total to nine medals--five gold, three silver and one bronze. In 1996, Comaneci was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

Even though Nadia won a total of nine Olympic medals, five of them gold, she will always be remembered at the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 and leave her indelible mark on the history of the Olympics.

This is why I have dedicated this post to Nadia and to my late father..I wish had been an incredible gymnast like Nadia but she is was one of kind and an inspiration to all.

Let Games Begin, Happy Olympics London! xo

All photos sourced via Tumblr and Nadia Comaneci's website,

www.bartandnadia.com

www.tumblr.com/tagged/nadia-comaneci

Uxua Casa Hotel

Last April my brother got married in Sao Paulo to my lovely Brazilian sister in-law. Thanks to this wonderful union, we got a chance to come to beautiful Trancoso and stay at the incredible Uxua Casa Hotel where my brother and his wife got engaged.

This is not your average hotel, its an Oasis of Tropical Splendor, little casas dotted around the grounds and out on the Quadrado, Tancoso's 16th Century town green.The attention to detail is heavenly, everything is made by local artisans, the staff are warm, friendly and happy. We had most of the hotel to ourselves so it felt as we were all living there, it has such a magical and seducing quality and none of us wanted leave.

Uxua is a labor of love and you feel it, an unforgettable experience and I hope to return very soon.

All pictures via Uxua except picture 11 which is taken by me on Uxua beach.

The website is also fantastic, am sure you will be seduced,

www.uxua.com

All Aboard The Passenger

When I first saw these images of The Passenger (great name ) I thought it was a real train, only when I read the text did I realized that this is a bar in Madrid that looks like you are on a train. What a cool idea, with video production by Spanish video Artist Franger gives the illusion that you are looking out of the windows of a moving train.

Owned by Spanish Actors Rodrigo Taramona & Jimmy Castro and two entrepreneurs friends, they commissioned Latin Creative Director, Producer and Designer Paraolio to create the luxurious interiors to transport you back in time. Open during the day for one of Madrid's best cafesitos and  by night drink your whisky and cocktails to classic rock . I wonder if the issue The Passenger Passport with drink stamps if you travel  a lot with them.

Buen Viaje xo

Sources,

Cool Hunter

Paraolio

The Passenger

Cabin Fever II

Winter Glow photo by Pawel Kucharski

Yellowstone Club Montana

Chalet Angora Megeve

Chalet La Tene Val D'Isere

Chalet Atlantique Courchevel

Drinks at Fire Pit via Tumblr

Cosy Cabin via Tumblr

Chalet Grande Corniche Les Gets

Chalet Shatoosh Megeve

Chalet Savana Megeve

Chalet Cyanella Megeve

All aboard the Snow Train via Pinterest

Chalet Tigre Megeve

Chalet Floralie Saint Martin Belleville

Chalet Brickell Megeve

Chalet Bellevue Courchevel

Vintage skies via Pinterest

Chalet Les Anges Zermatt

Chalet Tigre Megeve

Chalet Angora Megeve

Boston Cream Pie via Pinterest

Chalet  Maldeghem Klosters

Chalet Cyanella Megeve

Chalet Shatoosh Megeve

Majestic Snow Leopard via Tumblr

Chalet Maldeghem Klosters

Chalet Silk Megeve

Chalet Savana Megeve

Chalet Lampas Megeve

Swiss Chalet via Pinterest

Heavenly Snow via Pinterest

Hurricane Ridge Sunrise Photo by Kevin McNeal

"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer." Albert Camus

Its that time of year again, tomorrow is the Winter Solstice and the end of the Mayan Calendar, fear not as it is just the dawning of a new era and beginning of a new world. Wipe your slate clean and plant magical seeds, watch them grow with the wonder of all that is newborn and pure. Celebrate using your imagination that you are walking in this mystical snow covered mountains on your way to a nice cosy drink in your chalet with a roaring fire. If you could jump into one of these images which one would you chose?

Have a Happy 21.12.12 xo

Sources via

Ultimate Luxury Chalets

Evason Megeve

The Serai

This glorious tented camp is set in The Great Thar Desert  a national park on the outskirts of the medieval kingdom of Jaisalmer which was founded in 1156 AD.

At The Serai you will feel as if you are back in in the Victorian days of The Raj in the middle of this vibrantly colored desert landscape, this small jewel only has 21 tents decorated with traditional and local furniture and modern amenities such as Ipod's and quiet air conditioning.

Relax in your living room with a nice drink or the veranda to take in canopy of stars at night. Shop at their magnificently well curated boutique filled with local refined artisanal caftans designed especially for The Serai , buy or admire local paintings , jewellery and more. 

Have your very elegant driver pick you up in a classic desert coloured jeep to drive you into the dunes and then arrive at a magical dinner under night sky with special local performances organized for the evening.

Sounds perfect to me!

Namaste xo

www.the-serai.com

Peter Fetterman Gallery

Macaroni Penguins in Zavodovski Island, The Sandwich Islands by Sebastião Salgado

Church Gate Station, Western Railroad Line, Bombay, India by Sebastião Salgado

Kafue National Park, Zambia [lion-two brothers] by Sebastião Salgado

Menatwi Man Indonesia

Arizona, USA by Sebastião Salgado

Bryce National Park, Utah, USA by Sebastião Salgado

Cactus:Trichocereus Schickendantzii, San Martino, California by DonWorth 1977

Miconia Magnifica, California by Don Worth 1977

Succulent: Agave Victoriae-Reginae, Mexico by Don Worth 1975

Succulent: Echeveria Subrigida Hybrid, California by Don Worth 1968

Tropical Leaves, Fittonia Agyroneura, California by Don Worth 1958

Succulent:Agave Parryi Var. Huachucensis, California by Don Worth 1969

Peter Fetterman Gallery Santa Monica, CA

The only reason I ever go to a Contemporary Art Fair is to see the Photography. To me it marries the visual with the traveler and the storyteller.

I found these amazing works while browsing 1stDibs as I do religiously every week and fell for The Peter Fetterman Gallery. They have incredible Artists on their books and these two immediately stood out.

Sebastiao Salgado was born in Amoires in the state of Minas Gerais Brazil, he started his career in Economics and began his serious  photography in 1973.

Sebastião Salgado has been awarded numerous major photographic prizes in recognition of his accomplishments. He is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and an honorary member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences in the United States.

Sebastiao and his wife Leila Wanick Salgado formed their own press agency Amazonas Images. Together, Lélia and Sebastião have worked since the 1990’s on the restoration of a small part of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. In 1998 they succeeded in turning this land into a nature reserve and created the Instituto Terra. The Instituto is dedicated to a mission of reforestation, conservation and environmental education.

Don Worth Iowa USA 1924-2009  Went to Julliard School of Music and Manhattan School Of Music. In 1949 he began professional photography and assisted Ansel Adams for several years. Worth's childhood on an Iowa farm sparked a life long interest in horticulture and he designed and maintained a large subtropical garden at his home near San Francisco. Most of his photographs use plants as their subject matter. He has traveled widely in order to photograph. Don Worth's photographs  made, generally, with large format cameras, have an incisive clarity and quiet meditative mood. Many images involve enormous spaces, and often use the transformative power of fog, mist and other atmospheric conditions.

Love his vision of plants , especially the huge range of Cactus, one of my favorite type of plants. I find them so sculptural and mystical and his images of them spectacular. Would love to own some of his pictures one day.

http://www.peterfetterman.com/artists/sebastiao-salgado/

http://www.peterfetterman.com/artists/don-worth/

http://www.1stdibs.com/

Vision of Ibiza

Photo Ibiza Town via White Ibiza

Photos via Amante Beach Club

Photos Via The Giri Residence and Cafe

Photos El Chiringuito via White Ibiza

Photo Es Vedra

Photos Ibiza Beaches

On my way to Eivissa as they say in Catalan the local dialect, for a little holiday.

Hasta la Vista!