Jiwan from another World

Some time ago we had a special man called Jiwan with us at Select Collection. Jiwan was working as a butler in Bhutan. His biggest dream in life was to travel to another country. It took us much time and effort but we eventually managed to get both work and residence permits and Jiwan was with us for almost a year. During his time in office, he worked as butler and welcoming our customers in his native Bhutanese costume.

To travel to the kingdom of Bhutan, which lies between China and India, is like coming to another world. It is one of the most closed societies in the world and development has been slow. As an example, it was only about a decade ago they started using the Internet in Bhutan. Travel to Bhutan is expensive because it wants to spare itself from mass tourism. For those who still have the opportunity, it is a fantastic experience to travel to the country where time has stood still.

Amankora is one of the wonderful lodges in Bhutan

Close to NK

Next to our premises in Stockholm is the beautiful department store NK. I am happy it is so close by :), and also that we have a close collaboration.

Surrounded by lovely ladies

When we had our opening week for the spa in the beginning of June, one evening was entirely dedicated to the staff and management of NK. Lena and Suzanne in the picture were the ones to initiate the event. Thank you for the wonderful flowers! 

Our NK guests enjoyed organic wine and sushi and they had the privilege to try short spa treatments by our skilled therapists.  

Small and Big Apple(s)

I love the ecological Granny Smith apples and I eat a few small ones each day.

What I also love is "the Big Apple" - New York! One of my favourite hotels in NY is the classical Peninsula Hotel, included in our Select Collection. Due to our long wonderful relationship with the hotel we also have great rates and unique added values to our clients.

Thanks to the perfect location on 5th Avenue, this is a great place to start your day of shopping or sightseeing. Make sure not to miss the rooftop bar at the hotel.

Last time I visited the Peninsula I received this special regards from a special person

Special Branch

A "treehotel" has recently opened in Swedish Lapland, one hour drive from Luleå airport. According to Financial Times it's unique, upmarket and stylish with a pricetag of more than 300 euro a night.

It looks very exciting and I'm sure someone from the Select Collection Team will visit the "Treehotel" very soon. As your personal consultant and Ombudsman we always inspect all our hotels before recommending to our valued clients Every hotel in Select Collection is handpicked.

Picture from FT 24/25 July

Girl Power

The other night I was invited to my lovely friend Mia for dinner. We were a group of strong ladies who enjoyed the great food and exchanged interesting thoughts about life. The evening was full of energy. Energy is Power

Nelson Mandela is a powerful man. The below painting by Nelson Mandela hangs on the walls of one of my favourite hotels in South Africa, The Saxon.

Pictures from the beautiful Saxon Boutique and Spa

My pet in London

This particular ostrich lived a long and happy life in a French zoo before becoming the most extravagant piece of decoration in our London Mayfair office. Those ostriches who grow up in their natural habitat however, live in Africa. When I went to Garden Route in South Africa I saw these magnificent animals. 

 

Ostrich eggs on my breakfast menu

The ostrich is the largest now living bird in the world, and also the bird who produces the largest eggs. Great for making big omeletts! 

 

Following the Garden Route you must visit Pezula, one of the fantastic properties we feature in our Select Collection.

 

Horse back riding is one of the activities offered at Pezula

A piece of Morocco in my home

My soft little lamb likes to cuddle up in my couch next to the beautiful cushions from Marocco. It is my friend, the designer Lisen Stibeck, who sells the cushions made from linen and raw silk and all the profit goes to charity. Lisen has hand picked 38 Moroccan women who make a living by producing the cushions. It takes many months to complete one pillowcase and they really are pieces of art.

In our collection of the best hotels in the world, we have included an amazing property in Marrakech called Dar JL. It is owned by Lisen and her husband John. The place is exquisite and we recommend it for special arrangments such as weddings, birthdays, conferences etc.

Marrakech is a very exciting destination. You can buy everything from old doors to spices.

Beautiful lunch arrangement made by Lisen and her husband at Dar JL

The lovely Moroccan design of Dar JL

The wonderful pool surrounded by night lights

A picture says it all

Last night I met a friend, Johan Ernst Nilsson and he gave me his wonderful book called Seven Summits.

Johan is not just a lovely person but one of the worlds most experienced explorers and nature photographers. He has accomplished over 25 expeditions in 100 countries and is today the President of ESA Sweden. Among many other things, Johan is also the ambassador of HRH Princess Madeleine of Swedens foundation " Min Stora Dag". Here you will see some great pictures and quotes from the book.

Polar Research.

"The continent contains about 90 procent of the world's ice supply. If all the ice were melted, sea level would rise about 70 metres."

Mt Blanc

"It's the little choices we make today that will make the big changes tomorrow "

"We have to change our lifestyle... I've started a project with Respect Climate"

-- Post From My iPhone

We are tied to the ocean

My son Jonatan bought me a beautiful book for my birthday. The book is called Ocean by Philip Plisson.

"I really don't know why it is that most of us are so committed to the sea, except I think it is because, in addition to the fact that the sea changes, the light changes and ships change, it is because we all come from the sea. And it's an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins, blood, sweat and tears the same salt that exist in the ocean."

"We are tied to the ocean. When we go back to the sea, wheather it is to sail or to watch it, we are going back to whence we came"

Jonatan found the book in the Select Collection Lifestyle Boutique. The book has nearly two hundred new and unpublished images of oceans in more than fifty countries.

The Spirit of the Ocean

The Ocean Shapes the Land

The Ocean; A cradle of Life

-- Post From My iPhone

Time to say goodbuy

Time to say goodbuy to all new and old friends. It has been a great weekend making 14 new friends in two days. People from all over the world.

Thomas Gad and Anette Rosencreutz who owns this wonderful mansion Medinge Säteri, also work together and are experts in branding

The view from my bedroom

Fishing was one of the activities on Saturday. Nicolai got a few fishes right away. It must be his charm.

From the left

Martin, Fiona, Thomas and Anette

My good friends Mia and John, expecting a baby for Christmas.

-- Post From My iPhone

Weekend starts...

This weekend I was invited to a wonderful place at the countryside a few hours drive west of Stockholm. It all started last night...

The host for the weekend; Thomas Gad and his beautiful wife Anette Rosencreutz

The road that takes you to the beautiful castle; Medinge Säteri

Thomas wishing all of us welcome

Meeting up on the terasses...a wonderful mix of interesting people from different part of the world.

First night welcome dinner is very traditional; starting with herring and snaps and lots of songs...

-- Post From My iPhone

Flowers, cake and Champagne

Peony is the flower of Summer - and of Passion!

Today is my birthday so we had a get together at Select Collection. Tonight I will celebrate with some close friends at Medinge Estate close to Arboga in Sweden. In this picture you can see our beautiful

Lifestyle Boutique located on Norrlandsgatan in Stockholm.

I served my favourite dark choclate cake from Östermalms Saluhall

And we had some nice Champagne

The staff gave me beautiful flowers

The white Lily is my favourite flower

Champagne and cake to everyone

Very Important People

Last night I had the honor to invite my new Spa staff for a wonderful meal at Lisapåtorget, a restaurant in the heart of Stockholm. I´m so happy everything has worked out so lovely with the staff and the teamwork is great. I´m additionally happy that the integration with the Travel and the Travelteam works so well.

Pat and Emma standing, Gunilla to the left next to me and Lamai to the right.

They serve fantastic Swedish food at Lisapåtorget. Unusual but much appreciated by our therapists from Thailand.

From the restaurant there is a beautiful view of the church Hedvig Eleonora