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- Think your flip-flops have been through hell? Try a pair of Gandys
- 10 Tumblr sites that make travel more interesting
- Beijing travel: 72 hours in the Chinese capital
| Think your flip-flops have been through hell? Try a pair of Gandys Posted: 19 May 2013 11:00 PM PDT Created by orphans of the 2004 Asian tsunami, Gandys flip-flops aim to do more than sit around on the beach  If there's a single iconic travel fashion accessory, it's flip-flops. The universal footwear is worn the world over by backpackers, package tourists, beach bums and wealthy vacationers alike. It's a multi-billion dollar industry. For British brothers Rob and Paul Forkan, flip-flops also represent a memory, a legacy, a way of life and the avenue toward a dream of establishing a successful business, as well as a network of orphanages. In 2012, the entrepreneurial pair launched Gandys, a brand of colorful flip-flops they hope to make a household name around the world. But theirs is no ordinary company start-up or socially conscious marketing pitch. Gandys was launched only after a tragic and compelling tale that made world travelers and, eventually, orphans of the brothers themselves. Gandys is their way of paying tribute to that story. Unconventional upbringing
Their parents, Kevin and Sandra Forkan, owned a successful fashion/social enterprise in the UK. Tired of the business and wanting a more meaningful life, the Forkans sold their home in 1999 and took up a lifestyle of travel, working on charity projects in developing countries. Four of their six children came along, including Rob and Paul, while the two older siblings remained in the UK. The family's journey began in India, where the Forkans set up base for four years, raising money for local causes and volunteering in orphanages. For the children, conventional schooling wasn't an option. "We went to school for four or five months, then we were meant to be home schooled, but that probably only happened for one afternoon in four or five years," says Paul Forkan. "We learned by going to museums and visiting history sites rather than reading about them from books." For Paul and his siblings, India is where their fondest family memories were made. 2004 tsunamiAfter India, the Forkan family went to Sri Lanka. In 2004, the Boxing Day Tsunami hit Sri Lanka, engulfing the seaside resort where the Forkans were staying. The tsunami killed hundreds of thousands in Asia –- among them were parents Kevin and Sandra Forkan. Their children, Rob, Paul, Matty and Rosie, just 17, 15, 12 and eight years old respectively, became orphans in a flash of water that ripped open the doors of the resort and barreled into the rooms. With no belongings, food or money, the children hiked some 200 kilometers (124 miles) over the course of a week to Colombo where, with the support of the British Embassy, they made it back to the UK to live with an older sister. "We were lucky that after traveling around so much as children, we always saw situations that were a lot worse (than ours)," says Paul, reflecting on his past inside the London headquarters of Gandys. "I think if we were just there for a two-week holiday it would have been a lot harder. But as children, we were volunteering at orphanages and we'd seen a lot of bad stuff, so we were a lot tougher than most people would normally be. "It was bad in the first 12 months, but we just got on with life. We did things that we enjoyed, like playing sports and going away at the weekend. Obviously we miss (our parents) still. You just have to keep yourself as busy as possible and focus on the good stuff." Business inspiration
Waking up in the UK one morning after a long day at a festival, Rob blurted out that he had a dry mouth, "like Ghandi's flip-flops." In that instant, the idea for a footwear business was born. Rob shared his inspiration with Paul, who was working and traveling in Australia at the time. "Rob flew out for my 21st birthday," says Paul. "He told me about the idea and then he wouldn't shut up about it. "When he came to me, it was just an idea. But he said, 'let's do this.' So I came back and we went from there." Keen to avoid offense to the famous political family, the brothers named their business Gandys, rather than Ghandi's. Next, they designed their own colorful flip-flops, put together prototypes and found an investor in self-made millionaire Dominic List. London isn't the most obvious place to base a flip-flop start-up and Paul concedes that at one point wearing Gandys year-round left him with "a horrendous cold." Like much else in their life, the Gandys journey has been difficult, but a spirit of perseverance has gotten the brothers through the tough spots. "There's are times when you're like, 'Jesus this is tough, this is hard,' but being a good entrepreneur means that when you come up against a big brick wall, you find ways to go round it," says Paul. "I actually had a lot of mates that laughed at me. It's only in the last couple months, when we launched in places like Topshop and a few celebrities have been seen wearing Gandys, that people have started saying, 'Yeah, we can see you guys being like Havaianas.' We never really thought about coming up against Havaianas as a big brand, we just did it." From a business that started in the bedroom of a shared flat in Brixton, Gandys is forecast to turn over more than £1million ($1.51 million) by 2014. The flip-flops are sold in more than 30 shops and boutiques around England. "We want to be famous for flip-flops," says Paul. "We want to be a household name around the world for flip-flops. " A social enterprise
The project will kick off in India, and is due to be unveiled in 2014 before the tenth anniversary of the Asian tsunami. In the meantime, the brothers donate 10% of profits from Gandys to Mango Tree Goa, a UK-based charity that helps disadvantaged children in Goa, India. In one year of operating Gandys, the brothers say they've donated enough money to Mango Tree Goa to provide school supplies for 100 children and fund a teacher for a year. "We want to help children in particular because we were very lucky to be able to come back to a Western country and be taken in," says Paul. "If something happens (to children) in a non-Western country, there's not the support there, so we want to help people where there's no support." Gandys flip-flops are currently available only in the UK, but they're due to launch in the United States later this year. Paul is aware of his rapidly expanding business obligations, but says being an entrepreneur isn't so different from being a traveler. "The good thing about being an entrepreneur is that it's like backpacking," he says. "When you're backpacking and you don't know where to go or you get lost, you've always got people to ask. It's the same in business. There are always people who will give you advice and you can trade ideas." At its core, Gandys is a travel brand rooted in the brothers' childhood. The flip-flop is reminiscent of their traveling days; the Gandys stamp on the sole represents the stamps in their passports; the foundation they're setting up is in memory of their parents. As with every great trip, every step the Forkans take feels like a meaningful one.      |
| 10 Tumblr sites that make travel more interesting Posted: 19 May 2013 07:45 PM PDT Tumblr isn't as big as Twitter, but some are using it to make some great travel blogs  Reports this weekend from AllThingsD point to Tumblr being acquired by Yahoo for nearly $1.1 billion. Although popular, Tumblr has yet to become a necessary part of any brand's content strategy, the way way Pinterest or Twitter have. But that doesn't mean people aren't doing interesting things on the platform. We looked at sites that are adding something new to the Web or, if they're curating something else they found, at least adding their own distinctive twist. It's often used by bloggers looking for a fast way to share a distinctive, expert voice or brands looking to experiment under the radar. We've collected 10 that tumbl travel well. Reid on TravelEx-Lonely Planet U.S. editor Robert Reid shares his thoughts and videos, the latter being the most clever travel videos online. reidontravel.tumblr.com The Looking GlassA Disney-run blog that curates photography by shooters invited to Disney parks. disneyparksphotoproject.tumblr.com Anthony Bourdain"A continuous dribble of stuff we're thinking about and think you should know about," the site says, but it also includes Bourdain unfiltered by CNN. anthonybourdain.tumblr.com Beyond the BoardroomStarwood Hotels uses Tumblr as a corporate blog, but one that appeals beyond the confines of the company. starwoodhotels.tumblr.com FANmailThe Mandarin Oriental New York City's Tumblr account gets deep into Manhattan, with posts about all sides of the city -- even those that can't afford a night at the hotel. mandarinorientalnewyork.tumblr.com Roads & KingdomsThe site dedicated to travel and journalism uses Tumblr to curate snippets of its own travels and that of others. roadsandkingdoms.tumblr.com Sébastian Dahl - Oslo to BeirutThe photo blog of a young photographer who hitchhiked from Oslo, Norway to Beirut, Lebanon and captured everything along the way. blog.sebastiandahl.com Atlas ObscuraThe self-described "definitive guide to the world's wondrous and curious places" focuses on other people's curious explorations on its Tumblr account. atlasobscura.tumblr.com Eat Drink Think GoThis doesn't look like a Hyatt-run site, but it is. The hotel chain uses Tumblr to share what it's global network of chefs is up to. eatdrinkthinkgo.tumblr.com Tasmania Behind the SceneryTourism Tasmania uses its own photos and those of others from Tumblr and sources like Instagram to remind people why Tasmania's natural beauty is so impressive. mag.gobehindthescenery.com.au From Skift.com Also on Skift: United Flight 93 co-pilot's wife challenges view of what happened onboard on 9/11 Southwest Airlines is about to pick up a $29 million drink tab for passengers This may be the best photograph of Machu Picchu ever posted on the Internet Tags:    |
| Beijing travel: 72 hours in the Chinese capital Posted: 19 May 2013 03:00 PM PDT Some travelers can now visit the city visa-free for up to 72 hours. Here's how to cram the best of Beijing into three days  Travelers looking to visit Beijing without the hassle of obtaining a visa are in luck: at the beginning of 2013, the Chinese government lifted visa requirements for tourists laying over in Beijing or Shanghai for up to 72 hours. Are three days enough to take in the best of Beijing? It's a tight squeeze, but here's how to make the most of a 72-hour trip to one of the world's most vibrant cities. More on CNN: Visas waived for Beijing transit travelers Day 1
3 p.m.: The best way to settle into Beijing after checking into a hotel is with a long walk from the city's Lama Temple to Houhai Lake. Most choose to begin the trip with a quick temple visit, then a walk west through Wudaoying Hutong, a street that captures the spirit of the city's hipster scene. You'll find quirky shops selling everything from fixed-gear bicycles to succulent plants, and even a cat cafe. If you turn south until you hit Gulou East Street, and continue west through the hustle and bustle of endless vendors and cafes, you'll reach the Drum and Bell Towers. There's a 4:30 p.m. drum performance, worth checking out before heading to Houhai for a lakeside stroll. We suggest skipping Houhai's bars and restaurants, which tend to be underwhelming tourist traps. And have fun trying not to get coerced into a rickshaw ride by the notoriously pushy drivers. Lama Temple, 12 Yonghegong Dajie; Bell and Drum Towers, north end of Dianmen Dajie iReport assignment: What are your favorite spots in Beijing? 7 p.m.: No need to leave this happening neighborhood for dinner. Dali Courtyard offers some of the city's best Yunnan cuisine, a region of China that takes culinary cues from neighbors Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. Flavorful dishes such as crispy shrimp with lime leaves pair well with a mug of Dali beer and the intimate traditional courtyard setting. For a restaurant that hits closer to Beijing, Mr. Shi's Dumplings offers homey and typical but tasty Chinese dishes such as kung pao chicken and delicious pork and chive fried dumplings. Dali Courtyard, 67 Xiaojingchang Hutong; +86 (10) 8404 1430 9:30 p.m.: For a few drinks, there's nearby Modernista, where you may be able to catch live music or dance performances. The bar has a Parisian jazz age feel, a lively crowd and reasonably priced drinks. Modernista Old Cafe & Tapas Bar, 4 Baochao Hutong; +86 (0)13 6712 74747 More on CNN: For Beijing's best food, hit the hutongs Day 2
8 a.m.: If you're only in China for a brief visit and a trip to the Great Wall is on your gotta-do list, the best way to get there is to hire a driver or join a group tour. The trip should take two to three hours, depending on which section you visit. Sections in the "wilder" parts of the Wall, such as Jinshanling or Jiankou, are unrestored and have fewer crowds. Athletic types may want to join expat hikers for the day; Beijing Hikers frequently offers all-inclusive trips to the Wall at competitive prices. Beijing Hikers; +86 (10) 6432 2876 4 p.m.: The best way to relieve achy muscles after climbing the Wall is a Chinese massage. Dragonfly and Hummingbird spas are dependable and clean with Western facilities and English-speaking staff. Dragonfly Retreat, 60 Donghuamen Dajie; +86 (10) 6527-9368 Silk Street Market, 8 Xiushui Dongjie; +86 (10) 5169 9003 8 p.m. Tonight's the night to feast on Beijing's most celebrated dish, Peking duck. Tourists and locals alike flock to Da Dong for some of the city's best crispy-skinned, juicy duck accompanied by delicate pancakes. Other top dishes here include a delectable pork belly and hearty chestnut and chicken soup. Da Dong, 5/F, Jinbao Place Shopping Mall, 88 Jinbao Jie; +86 (10) 8522-1111 More on CNN: The old road: How to cycle around Beijing Day 3
9 a.m. For a Chinese-style breakfast off the street, widely available favorites include steamed buns and jian bing, a tasty crepe with fried egg and sauce. Next stop: the Forbidden City. You can spend all day at this Beijing icon without coming close to seeing it all. If viewing imperial art from the Ming and Qing dynasties is a priority, spare a bit of time for the Palace Museum. Forbidden City, 4 Jingshan Qian Jie Noon: One of the best places in Beijing to sit back and people watch is Tiananmen Square, where throngs of Chinese tourists visit from all over the country and vendors bustle around. For lunch, at the south end of the square there are many cheap and cheery restaurants in the hutongs.
It's also quotidian China at its best: retirees dancing and singing, doing water calligraphy and exercising their caged birds. A climb up the park's hill to Wanchun Pavilion offers sweeping views of the Forbidden City. Jingshan Park, 44 Jingshan Xi Jie More on CNN: Insider guide: What to do in Beijing 5 p.m.: Time for a drink. The terrace at Capital M in Qianmen offers some of Beijing's best views and the beautifully decorated restaurant is a great place for an evening aperitif -- even on a smoggy day. Capital M, 3/F, 2 Qianmen Pedestrian Street; +86 (10) 6702-2727 7 p.m.: The best place to experience Beijing's modern, flashy side is Sanlitun, a highly developed area popular for its bars and restaurants such as Karaiya Spice House. This trendy, super spicy, Hunanese restaurant serves up incredible chili-crusted ribs. Carb lovers can hit up the Noodle Bar for delicious, handmade noodles. Karaiya Spice House, 3/F, Bldg. 8, Taikoo Li South, 19 Sanlitun Road; +86 (10) 6415-3535 9 p.m.: When the weather is nice Beijing's fine young things head for the rooftop of Migas, a trendy lounge and restaurant. The rooftop patio has space-age touches, like egg-shaped cabanas. Another popular place is Apothecary. Offering homemade infusions and bitters, it's arguably the best cocktail bar in Beijing. Migas, 6/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun North Road; +86 (10) 5208 6061 More on CNN: Beijing's 'big 4' sites Day 4
It's a great place to spend a few hours exploring the massive gardens and pavilions. It's also home to Kunming Lake and Empress Cixi's infamous marble boat. If you're looking to splurge on a final luxurious lunch before you leave the city, the Aman Hotel's Cantonese restaurant is the place to relax over dim sum before you head to the airport to catch your flight. Aman at the Summer Palace, 1 Gongmenqian St., Summer Palace; +86 (10) 5987 9999
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