Long gone, it seems, are the days when getting a tattoo in Thailand meant downing a few Singha beers then heading for Mr Boy’s Magic Tattoo Paradise for a quick “carpe diem”, butterfly, dolphin or dragon. Now it has to be a hand-tapped sak yant (or bamboo tattoo), involving a consultation with a master (or ajarn), sacred geometric designs and a list of future guidelines – words to live by – for best results.
One of the most famous sak yant bearers is Angelina Jolie, and she is mentioned up front, along with Ryan Phillippe, Brooke Shields and others, by the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel in a press release promoting its new in-house sak yant service. Guests staying at the hotel can engage the skills of one Ajarn Neng Onnut in the comfort of their own suite, or in a private treatment room. Prices start from US$800 for a small na symbol, and go up US$3,000 per hour for more elaborate work.
As with most cultural experiences offered by upmarket hotels, prices are much higher than you can find outside, and sites like sakyantchiangmai.com and bangkok-ink.com will have a perfectly good ajarn tapping away at you for a fraction of the price. They also provide plenty of useful information and advice. Or you could refuse to follow the herd, and just not have a tattoo at all.Incidentally, Jolie, Brad Pitt and other celebs were tattooed by Ajarn Noo Kanpai, who takes bookings, but lists no prices, on his website, ajannookanpai-eng.com.Airliner models subject of new coffee-table book
During the 1920s, the large model steamships displayed in travel agent offices and windows around the world were gradually joined by model airliners. These were designed to show potential passengers not only the newfangled aircraft they would be flying in, but sometimes also – with cutaway views – the unfamiliar space that they would be occupying on the flight, which could take several days (with overnight stops) on long-haul routes. Some were extremely detailed, hand-built to order by skilled, specialist craftsmen, and are now much sought after by collectors.
One of the best known collectors is South African-born Anthony J. Lawler, a former airline executive who, now aged 80, has just produced a 336-page coffee-table book on the subject, Airliner Models: Marketing Air Travel and Tracing Airliner Evolution Through Vintage Miniatures. Lawler spent eight years assembling photographs of his vast collection (which he started in 1952), and of others, to present a colourful history of commercial aviation and airliner design through hundreds of models used to promote both throughout the 20th century.
Published in October, Airliner Models can be found at amazon.co.uk, and will be available from February at amazon.com, where a Kindle edition is already on sale. An extensive preview is available at both sites. Some 22 short videos of Lawler showing off his collection can be found at aircraftdisplaymodels.com, and a selection of cutaway models is on display at aviationmodels-online.com.Virgin Hotels Dallas joins Virgin Hotels portfolio
Richard Branson first announced his Virgin Hotels brand in 2010, with plans to turn the hospitality industry “on its head”. A couple of dozen hotels were expected to launch by 2017, but the doors didn’t open to the first property, Virgin Hotels Chicago, until 2015. This was followed last year by the Virgin Hotels San Francisco, then last month the Virgin Hotels Dallas was added to what its press release deems a “rapidly growing roster”.With 268 rooms (or “chambers”) and several dining and drinks outlets, including The Shag Room (“a 70s-inspired space ideal for cocktails or an intimate reception”), the hotel can be found at virginhotels.com. American Airlines flies daily between Hong Kong and Dallas.Deal of the week – two nights in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
If you’re looking for a cheap last-minute jaunt this month, Jebsen Holidays is selling two nights at the Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon from HK$2,450 per person, twin share. Departure is only until the end of this month, for a February 2 return, and there is a HK$1,300 surcharge for January 23-27 flights, but that’s still a reasonable price for the Lunar New Year period.
For an extra HK$400 per person, you can upgrade to an Executive Room with evening drinks, free all-day refreshments and other benefits. Flights are with Cathay Pacific. For full details and reservations, select the Travel Package menu at jebsenholidays.com.ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tK%2FMqWWcp51kuqKzwLOgp52jZL2wv9NmpJqfka%2B2r7GOramarpWhfKK%2B06KapZ1faH11gJNtcGisopaxqsDIqKWapF2ptaK1jK2YrayfpMBuu8WfnKtlkaOur8DAq5hmq5mWum6uwKeepKeb