Archive for category Travels

WOW!

Posted by Vicente in In the news, Photography, Travels on May 4, 2011

I have been anxiously waiting for this to come out! I am very pleased with how AD was able to take pieces from my travel journal and photos to create this great column. Reading it was like revisiting Mali all over again.

Thank you Margaret Russell & team, it looks incredible!

AD Travel Diary, Architectureal Digest, Margaret Russell, Vicente Wolf Travels

9 Comments

Hong Kong

Posted by Vicente in Travels, Vicente's Little Black Book on March 11, 2011

In my opinion, Hong Kong is one of the most exciting cities to be in. On my most recent trip there some friends told me we’d be visiting a restaurant that Anthony Bourdain had featured on his show. I have to say that getting there was an adventure in itself; you have to pass the huge line of people waiting to get into the Louis Vuitton store and an outdoor market where you can get anything from fresh fish for dinner to peonies.

The restaurant is located in a four-story building which houses a meat market on the first floor, numerous vegetable stands on the second floor, fresh fish on the third floor and finally a series of mini restaurants on the top floor. I think the word “restaurant” is actually too formal; it was more like a series of chaotic kitchens with a collection of small communal plastic tables jumbled together in front of them. At first that was all I could see, then I noticed that all the restaurants were empty besides one and which we were visiting.

The first thing that happens when you sit down is they bring out a pot of hot tea to wash your dishes and chopsticks. I have eaten at a lot of down and out places but never have I been asked to wash my own dishes before the meal. Next, the owner comes out and chats with you for a bit, that is how he decides what you should order. He brought us chicken feet, crab, duck, vegetables, rice that is wrapped in leaves then steamed, and lots and lots of beer.

There was a very mixed crowed all huddled together at the other tables, from businessmen in suits to workmen, all enjoying a meal together. I seemed to be the only westerner there, which I took as a good sign. By the end of our meal I understood why Bourdain had been here, the atmosphere. The food is certainly very different than any other food I have had in Hong Kong, so if you are there try it and let me know what you think, I think this is definitely an experience worth trying.

7 Comments

Perfect Strangers

Posted by Vicente in Travels on February 28, 2011

How great is it when 2 perfect strangers offer to take you around a city you are visiting to the exact shops you are looking for? One seems to forget at times how great the design community is and how we do all support each other.
Patricia Gray & Albarosa Simonetti are perfect examples of this. They gave up their day to show me around Vancouver for the sheer joy of being kind. I thank them very much for their generosity.

You can read there post about our day of shopping here

5 Comments

Canada here I come!

Posted by Vicente in Travels on February 22, 2011

Jumping on first plane to Vancouver tomorrow morning, let me know if you have any reccomendations for Native Art shops? I dont have tons of time but would like to do some shopping.

16 Comments

Update from Hong Kong

Posted by Vicente in Travels on February 8, 2011

I was just in Macau visiting the Wynn Hotel as I may be working with them in the future. Roger Thomas’s design for this hotel is just amazing, he uses such wonderful vibrant colors! While I was there I was treated to a sumptuous 4 hand massage (2 hands on your left hand side and 2 hands on your right hand side), that was quite a wonderful experience, thank you Roger. I would highly recommend including this destination in your itinerary if you are ever in that part of the world.

China, Macau, Roger Thomas, Wynn Hotel, Wynn Macau

3 Comments

Update from Bangkok

Posted by Vicente in Travels on January 31, 2011

Back at the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok (which I would move into if I didn’t have to work for a living) so far the shopping has been very interesting in both Bangkok and Nepal. I am waiting for the Sunday market to continue on with my search of new and interesting finds. I am looking for items that I haven’t come across before and that are completely different to what is in the showroom now. I can’t wait to unpack the container in the spring and show you the treasures I have found.

13 Comments

Update from Nepal

Posted by Vicente in Travels on January 25, 2011

By chance I am now in Nepal this was not part of my original itinerary, but I had 4 days before the next Sunday market in Bangkok…..so I hopped on a plane and here I am.

It has been 30 years since my last visit to Nepal! The Himalayas still carry an enormous amount of magic for me. I am so happy I decided to take this last minute detour.

6 Comments

Update from Bangkok

Posted by Vicente in Travels on January 18, 2011

Today was my first shopping day in Bangkok, among other things I ordered some new suits for the New Year. The city is quite crowded due to the political happenings at the moment. Even so I am incredibly happy to be here again and staying at one of my favorite hotels, Mandarin Oriental. Tomorrow will be a day of relaxing at spa and then off to a Thai feast! Tonight I went to a great restaurant which specialized in Thai/Indian fusion, I had the curried goat brains… it was quite a dish.

14 Comments

Showroom Favorites: Mali Necklaces

Posted by Vicente in Showroom Favorites, Travels, VW Home on January 17, 2011

When I was in Mali last year, I went to an outdoor market where I found these necklaces. They are actually made from individual tiny rings that were made out of recycled plastic all strung together. It’s a great example of an old/new mixed materials piece.

This is my new section highlighting my favorite pieces from VW Home, I hope you enjoy it and come back for more.

Showroom Favorites

7 Comments

Update from Bali

Posted by Vicente in Travels on January 14, 2011

It has been raining and thundering for the last couple of days here in Bali. The thunder is extremely loud, it sounds like the NYC 4th of July firework show is on top on my hotel! The last 2 days I have been shopping around and now it’s time for some sightseeing with my dear friend Matthew Yee.