Latest news with #Greek-inspired
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
From saunas to cold plunges - a dip into Sydney's bathhouse boom
I will start with Nature's Energy, which has a few bathhouses dotted throughout Sydney. I visited the one in Glebe, and can say it is no wonder it's an award-winning institution. When you arrive, you take a quick shower with a salt scrub before choosing one of many spaces to relax in. There is a traditional 80–90°C Finnish sauna with hot rocks, a 55–65°C infrared sauna, a steam room and a spa pool. There is also a room with full-body red and near-infrared panels. Standing in front of one of these for 10 minutes is supposed to support skin clarity, cellular energy, muscle recovery, and sleep. As for the cold spaces, there are ice baths and outdoor pale showers. Massage with crystals at Nature's Energy. Photo / Supplied The range of temperatures offered at Nature's Energy is a real selling point. There is the option of taking a more mellow approach, which I appreciated – not only because I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to ice baths, but because the health benefits of undergoing extreme temperature changes are contested. Following my hot-cold session, I was treated to an exceptional massage. Again, the concept of the bathhouse is basic, if not primitive. But the experience is enhanced by the botanical décor, natural oils and crystals, which feature heavily at Nature's Energy. The environment is soothing, and the staff welcoming. Cold plunge bath and shower at Nature's Energy. Photo / Supplied It all might sound a bit 'woo-hoo', but I left feeling a million times more relaxed than when I arrived. I had never thought to spend time at a bathhouse during a city holiday. For some reason, we associate spas with holidays in the Pacific Islands. But why not take a break from the wining, dining and retail therapy on offer in a city, and indulge in some natural therapy? While I enjoyed spending my time at Nature's Energy alone and in peace, going to the bathhouse is a social outing for many – an opportunity to connect with someone over a shared experience without necessarily talking. This was the vibe at the second bathhouse I visited, Slow House Bondi. Quintessentially 'Bondi', this place was frequented by the toned and the tanned, who were surely qualified to appear on Bondi Rescue – as lifeguards, of course. Mineral pools at Slow House Bondi. Photo / Supplied Entering Slow House Bondi, which is tucked in the basement of a parking building, feels like stepping into an ancient Greek-inspired sanctuary. The fitout is beautiful, enhanced by the use of warm ambient light. You can see why Slow House Bondi has amassed quite the Instagram following. There is a Finnish sauna, steam room, various mineral pools, ice and cold plunge baths you can move through. There is also an infrared offering, available for a few extra dollars. The space is more open than Nature's Energy, which feels quaint in comparison. Ambient vibe at Slow House Bondi. Photo / Supplied A bonus of my Slow House Bondi experience was discovering a wonderful brand of natural Australian-made hair and body products, Leif (which I later discovered is available in New Zealand). It's the first time I've found plant-based shampoo and conditioner that actually work. The eucalyptus and rosella smell amazing, and the packaging is chic. I returned home with a stockpile of Leif goods I bought and an appreciation for making time to unwind during a city holiday. Being in a new place is so much more enriching when you are attuned to your senses. Question is - are you game enough to plunge into an ice bath to really tap into those senses? Checklist Sydney, Australia GETTING THERE Several airlines fly direct to Sydney from New Zealand, including Air New Zealand, Qantas, and Jetstar. DETAILS New Zealand Herald Travel visited courtesy of Destination NSW.
Pink Villa
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Sneak peek into Sania Mirza's Dubai Palm Jumeirah Villa: Poolside playground, cozy corners, big closet and more
Tennis legend Sania Mirza may have stepped off the global court, but her sanctuary on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah is a vibrant continuation of her story. The two-storey, Greek-inspired mansion, valued at Rs 13 crore, has become a meaningful home for Sania, her son Izhaan, and sister Anam. 'Literally, every little thing that is here—from the colours, like, every detail, even every frame that has been put here—is where I wanted it to be,' Sania explained in an home tour video, describing the villa as her safe space, where design meets emotion and solitude follows her public life. A white Greek-style villa framed by grandeur From the outside, the villa commands attention with its pristine white façade and elegant circular columns. The manicured garden and large backyard offer green serenity, while a sprawling pool adds to the property's calm. Beside the pool, Izhaan enjoys a slide and swing setup. The mansion is as much a visual landmark as it is a personal hideaway. A nameplate that once carried Shoaib Malik's name has been quietly updated, reflecting a private but firm new chapter in Sania's life. Interior elegance with a purpose Inside, the villa opens into a bright, teal-accented living space that blends sophistication with comfort. Plush grey and red sofas, an accent wall, and open-plan dining and kitchen areas create a seamless family hub—now also home to a foosball table for Izhaan. The formal dining area, accented with gold, balances grandeur with restraint. 'Because I feel like gold is something that can look very bad if you use it badly,' Sania stated, per Indian Express. 'But this very room, I've used some gold accents just to give it a little bit of a grand sort of look.' Her master bedroom pairs deep green tones with calming whites, complemented by sheer curtains, curated rugs, and a dedicated walk-in closet for her extensive shoe collection. Izhaan's adjoining room bursts with colour and playful charm, complete with a bunk bed and kid-sized furnishings. Spaces of solitude and style Sania's favourite feature is the prayer room, designed in pale tones with an ice-blue carpet and filtered light. 'This is where I go when I feel unsettled,' she shared. Her dressing room stands out as the most personal corner of the house, purpose-built to cater to her fashion needs. And for quieter moments, the entertainment room, which is equipped with a Playstation—offers downtime with Izhaan. This villa is not just a home. It's a declaration of independence, rooted in love, faith, and a life thoughtfully designed.
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Timeless love: Patients at Bronx nursing home tie the knot in sweet ceremony before crowd of staff, friends
A good marriage needs patients. A pair of lovebirds on Thursday exchanged vows, rings and hope for the future in a Bronx nursing home — where they first fell head over heels in love. A crowd of fellow patients, family, nurses and even the facility's therapy dog looked on as Al Cappiello, 76, and Elizabeth Bly, 51, shared their first kiss as man and wife at RiverSpring Living's Nursing Home — in what is the first marriage for both. Advertisement 7 Al Cappiello, 76, and Elizabeth Bly, 51, share a kiss after tying the knot. Stephen Yang 'Anything is possible. You can find love anywhere — age is just a number,' Cappiello told The Post after cementing his nuptials. 'I'm very lucky. I'm so, so, so happy,' said Bly, originally or Harlem. Advertisement The sweethearts planned every detail of the ceremony inside the Riverdale senior facility's banquet room, from the Greek-inspired backdrop to the deeply rich purple tablecloths that matched Bly's wedding dress — a color she chose over white simply because it's her favorite. Other residents served as the groomsmen and bridesmaids, while Daisy, the home's beloved therapy dog, served as flower girl and preceded Bly down the aisle. 7 The marriage is the first for both Cappiello and Bly. Stephen Yang 7 The lovebirds first met a the nursing home in 2023. Stephen Yang Advertisement 7 Daisy, the home's therapy dog, served as the flower girl. Stephen Yang Bly, fittingly, walked down in front of their friends and family — including her adult son — as Jennifer Olegario, the home's occupational therapist, sang Etta James' 'At Last.' 'Did you ever hear the words? 'At last my love has come along.' The way that I feel, the way she feels. It's romantic!' said Capiello, a retired substance abuse counselor. The pair of lovebirds first met back in 2023 when Bly first joined the home to rehabilitate some issues she was having with her legs. Advertisement 7 Cappiello popped the question last July on Bly's birthday. Stephen Yang At the time, Cappiello was a staple of the home and was even part of a rag-tag group of 'Golden Guys' known for wisecracking and card games. He was immediately enchanted by the newbie, whom he described as coquettishly 'quiet and shy' and made it a mission to get to know her better. Bly was at first suspicious of Cappiello and his forward manner — but she ultimately gave him a chance to become a much-needed friend as she transitioned into a permanent resident. 7 Bly chose a purple wedding dress simply because it is her favorite color. Stephen Yang Their friendship slowly blossomed into romance until Bly's birthday last July — when Cappiello popped the question with an engagement ring and a butterfly ring. The nursing home romance is the second for the gentleman. His previous seven-year romance with Gloria, another resident, tragically ended several years prior with her death. 'I'm extremely happy. This is the second time he's found love here, and I never thought he'd find love again. I'll start to cry if I think about it,' Jeff Hyman, Cappiello's best man and best friend of 35 years, said. Advertisement 7 'Anything is possible. You can find love anywhere — age is just a number,' Cappiello said. Stephen Yang But despite entering their sunset years single, neither Cappiello nor Bly gave up hope that they might one day have a ring on their fingers. Whether they'll move in together inside the nursing home, however, is still up in the air. 'We're not to that point. We have to figure it out!' Bly said.
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Cyprus goes high-tech in search for people missing from past conflict
NICOSIA, - A U.N.-backed commission investigating mass disappearances in Cyprus is deploying AI and ground-penetrating radars to expedite chances of finding the remains of people who vanished in past conflict. Cyprus goes high-tech in search for people missing from past conflict The Committee on Missing Persons leads a team of archaeologists, anthropologists and geneticists to help ascertain the fate of 2,002 people who went missing during inter-ethnic strife in the 1960s and a Turkish invasion that followed a Greek-inspired coup in 1974. Many were killed and buried in unmarked graves across the island. Relying heavily on witnesses who are assured anonymity, the exhumation and identification of victims have waned in recent years, in part because of discrepancies in witness accounts, the passage of time and rapidly changing landscapes. "We plan to enhance our capacities to find answers through new technologies," said Pierre Gentile, the U.N. representative on the CMP, which also includes a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot representative. Gentile said the CMP would use artificial intelligence to scour digitalized archives for new lines of inquiry and would consider further use of ground-penetrating radars to help find burial areas. Established in 1981, the CMP started looking for mass graves around 2006. By the end of June 2025 it had located and exhumed 1,707 individuals, with 1,270 remains returned to their families for burial by May 2025. Although missing persons remain one of the most sensitive issues stemming from Cyprus's division, it is also one of the few areas where Greek and Turkish Cypriots work together on a common humanitarian goal. "It is a very delicate humanitarian issue and the work we are doing is holy," said Hakki Muftuzade, the Turkish Cypriot CMP representative. "We are fully aware of the duty we have to fulfil," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Cyprus goes high-tech in search for people missing from past conflict
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox NICOSIA - A U.N.-backed commission investigating mass disappearances in Cyprus is deploying AI and ground-penetrating radars to expedite chances of finding the remains of people who vanished in past conflict. The Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) leads a team of archaeologists, anthropologists and geneticists to help ascertain the fate of 2,002 people who went missing during inter-ethnic strife in the 1960s and a Turkish invasion that followed a Greek-inspired coup in 1974. Many were killed and buried in unmarked graves across the island. Relying heavily on witnesses who are assured anonymity, the exhumation and identification of victims have waned in recent years, in part because of discrepancies in witness accounts, the passage of time and rapidly changing landscapes. "We plan to enhance our capacities to find answers through new technologies," said Pierre Gentile, the U.N. representative on the CMP, which also includes a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot representative. Gentile said the CMP would use artificial intelligence to scour digitalized archives for new lines of inquiry and would consider further use of ground-penetrating radars to help find burial areas. Established in 1981, the CMP started looking for mass graves around 2006. By the end of June 2025 it had located and exhumed 1,707 individuals, with 1,270 remains returned to their families for burial by May 2025. Although missing persons remain one of the most sensitive issues stemming from Cyprus's division, it is also one of the few areas where Greek and Turkish Cypriots work together on a common humanitarian goal. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Eligible S'poreans to get up to $850 in GSTV cash, up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August Singapore Four golf courses to close by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses Singapore Singapore's second mufti Shaikh Syed Isa Semait dies aged 87 Singapore Fewer marriages in Singapore in 2024; greater marital stability for recent unions Singapore Shell heist: Second mastermind gets more than 25 years' jail for siphoning $100m of fuel Asia 72-year-old man on diving trip to Pulau Tioman in Malaysia found dead on the beach Singapore Jail for ex-auxiliary police officer who loaded one bullet and accidentally discharged revolver Singapore $1.46b nickel scam: Ng Yu Zhi opts to remain silent after judge calls for his defence "It is a very delicate humanitarian issue and the work we are doing is holy," said Hakki Muftuzade, the Turkish Cypriot CMP representative. "We are fully aware of the duty we have to fulfil," he said. REUTERS
