Black Tomato Blog

still a kid at heart

Whether it’s an excuse to unveil our best Amy Winehouse impression, come up with an innovative way to become the world’s most successful ‘chick magnet’ (hint: dress all in black and stick miniature little yellow chicks all over you – genius, right?) or just let loose and stuff your gob with limitless amounts of candy, Halloween has got to be one of our favourite holidays. Let’s be honest, what’s not to like? You get to pretend to be someone you’re not; indulge in all the naughtiness you steer clear of on most diet days; and simply have fun. The biggest celebrations take place in Mexico where the annual Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) festival starts tomorrow. Skeleton-filled street festivals, raucous parades and gift giving commemorate those who have passed in a joyous, celebratory way. Whatever your chosen hallow’s eve pursuit – we wish you a very happy one.

TM

you’re on candid camera

CCTV and public toilets? Yup. We agree. Creepy combination. And one that definitely conjures up thoughts of seedy and ultimately illegal voyeuristic behaviour. As such we are kind of intrigued by the news that Vancouver, Canada's Opus Hotel has done just that. Well, almost. They’ve actually left the video cameras in the cocktail bar and placed the flat screens in the loos. So if you’ve ever wondered what your partner gets up to while you nip to the ladies or gents - wonder no longer. The LCD inserts in the bathroom’s mirrors will directly feed you all the lurid (or otherwise) going ons. Or if you’re lucky, it will reassure you that your loved one really does love you. Who knew going to spend a penny could be so revealing. 

TM

ice cool bash

As promised our bar was flowing with the finest vodka and the best designs from the country's most talented independent artists were on show. Music fresh off the scene from Airwaves 08 set the mood and we even had Iceland TV on hand to film the festivities (watch the clip of Black Tomato gracing the small screen). Thanks to all who came down to help us focus on the positives of one of our favourite places for breathtaking landscapes, natural phenomena and an indomitable party spirit.

TM

find the love in new zealand

All ‘single’ men on deck. New Zealand is suffering from a man drought. That’s right. If you’ve been struggling to find Mrs Right in your own testosterone laden neck of the woods – this is your chance. Now we’re aware that this could just be a clever marketing hook conjured up by the New Zealand tourist board to get us to all head down under. Either way we’re happy to indulge. Apparently, the Kapiti Coast, just north of Wellington is the “man-drought capital”. So we suggest heading there first; finding yourself a lovely kiwi lass; and then whisking her away to the Great Mercury Island for some real private island-style romance. Definitely more fun than speed dating. 

TM

a trip around the world in regent’s park

At Black Tomato we love finding alternative ways to get excited about travelling. And we think this weekend’s Frieze Art Fair London is just the ticket. It features over 150 contemporary galleries from around the world so you’ll be ooing and aahing over prints from Japan , video art from Israel and sculptures from Brazil in no time. And what better way to see art than in its place of origin. See where we’re going with this? Trust us. Spend a few hours in a room filled with unusual art from the world’s most cutting-edge contemporary artists and you will want to jet off to experience the places that have inspired them.

The Fair officially opened its doors yesterday. But not to fret, you have until the 19th October to pop on by Regent’s park.

TM

a full moon to inspire

Travel experts, yes. But astronomers we are not. So when we did a little bit of research to find out about full moons (we’ve got one tonight in case you were wondering) we were pleasantly surprised to find out that it has the most perfectly appropriate name. Most commonly referred to as the Harvest Moon, October’s full moon is also called the Travel Moon (a little something passed on by the Native Americans). That’s right, for all of us Northern Hemisphere-ites we will get to enjoy a Travel Moon tonight (that is if the gathering clouds don’t obscure it…). Now apparently the name refers to the time of the year when people travelled to warmer places as winter approached or when they travelled distances to hunt for food. But we think it’s just the perfect little reminder that it’s time to jet-off. So as you’re peering up in the sky tonight – let the Travel Moon inspire you. We’re sure come tomorrow morning you’ll be yearning to get away – or at least feel the urge to go off hunting and foraging.

TM

get your november pretox

 

Could it be true? People getting fit for Christmas? Seems a rather odd phenomenon, right? Certainly we’re all used to the New Year’s detox with January seeing us counting calories and feeling much too guilty for our debaucherous holiday behaviour. Well, it seems that this year people are starting their healthy regime early. In fact we’ve been noticing quite a trend going on. And after doing a bit of market research it seems that a whopping 76% of our super savvy customers are taking part in this trend. They are getting into training early and using up leftover holiday to spend a week in total-body boot camps, on health retreats or zoned out, blackberry-free, up a mountain. We think it actually makes a lot of sense. Without getting too technical, start exercising now; improve your metabolism; and the stuffed turkey, roast potatoes and Christmas pudding won’t be haunting you come the New Year.

For some of our favourite detox destinations check out: Morocco, Mozambique and Thailand.

TM

walking on the wild side (or not)

We like to keep an ear to the ground here at Black Tomato and recently we've noticed something: we might be top of the food chain but, just occasionally, other predators like to put us in our place.

 

Animals to avoid

The unfortunate news that a British man was gobbled up by 50-year-old Australian Charlie - no, not an inbred Aussie cannibal, but a very hungry crocodile - reminded us that you don't need to be dinner to remember how vulnerable we can be. So, for a truly humbling experience, but one that won’t leave you in little pieces, why not get inside the jaws of Jaws with our South African shark diving experience?

Animals you won't have to avoid anymore

Venice city council have proudly announced a great victory at the battle of San Marco. They’ve won their crusade against the pigeons! By banning illicit feed vendors from their seedy hangouts around the canals and under bridges, Venetians have forced the pesky vermin to seek their grub elsewhere. So, if twitching is your thing, forget Venice. Why not try Peru where the 3-metre Andean condor will be hard to miss. This majestic bird’s favourite food is cattle, so it might be an idea to leave the leather coat behind.

Animals you won’t want to avoid

Now we don't want to scare you, but on our new Zambia walking safari, 'Walking on the Wild Side’, there won't be anything between you and the razor sharp teeth of the King of Jungle - except a few meters of ground and a trained expert with a 2:2 rifle. This is as dangerously close to Africa’s most efficient predator as it is possible to get, but we guarantee you’ll want to get closer.

FD

an illuminating icelandic idea

John Lennon and Iceland are not an immediately obvious paring. But if you’re a fan of the late great peace lover, and fancy a last minute getaway to chilly and chic Iceland, we may have some illuminating news.

As some of you know we’re becoming a Little Slice of Iceland in the next couple of weeks and to help get you in the Icelandic spirit we’ve spiced up our Iceland offer to include some timely extras. Basically for the next few months alongside our stylish Reykjavik trip you can enjoy a visit to Videy Island to see the visionary memorial The Peace Tower. The ‘tower’ is actually a 20-metre high beam of brilliant white light with a base inscribed with “Imagine Peace” in 24 languages. It will be visible across the city from October 9, John Lennon’s birthday, to December 8, the day he died, as well as on New Year’s Eve and during the first week of spring. This coincides perfectly with the best time to catch the spectacular Northern Lights and set sail on a Whale Watching trip. So you can be certain that these activities are on the itinerary as well as a trip to the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon (which can't be missed). Just combine these two stunning light shows in a four-day trip to Reykjavik and you could have your very own magical mystery tour.

 

Click here to see our Icelandic experience page. And for more information about our Icelandic extras be sure to ask one of our consultants.   

HP