Latest news with #Lumiere
The Age
13-07-2025
- The Age
No luxury cruise line does things quite like this Australian one
On Scenic, none of that is true, perhaps because most of the guests on my Indonesia cruise are Australian. Australians don't generally go in for pretension and formality, least of all in tropical destinations or while on holiday. That makes Scenic Eclipse II the luxury ship for those wary of luxury ships. No need to bring your suit or your jewellery. Not many stilted cocktail conversations at the bar. No complicated menus that you need a multilingual dictionary to decipher. That doesn't mean standards are lowered on this ship. Far from it. Menus might be easy to navigate, but the food is upmarket and the quality and variety outstanding. It has one of the best lunchtime buffets at sea (in a restaurant venue called Yacht Club), and one of the best French restaurants (Lumiere) and Mediterranean restaurants (Elements), too. For a ship of this size, the dining choices are remarkable. Among other venues is Koko's Asian Fusion, which delivers the welcome big flavours of South-East Asia, India and China, and which also features a separate sushi counter and teppanyaki-style grill. In the latter, a few guests at a time enjoy small plates inspired by Asian street food, prepared in front of them by the chefs. It's a smart way to bring very relaxed dining onto a cruise ship without resorting to the same-old pool grill. The ship's decor is boutique-hotel chic in a moody, minimalist way, which makes the odd burst of art and colour all the more arresting. The Asian restaurant has striking geisha-inspired art; the walls of the Observation Lounge erupt in fantastical jungle motifs in which animals lurk. Heated plunge pool? Tick. Suave spa? Yes, and even bigger than the one on sister ship Scenic Eclipse. It has unusual offerings like a salt-therapy lounge and infrared sauna designed to propel you into Zen-like somnolence. Sky Bar? Why not? In the world's wild places, you can't beat a cold drink with a hot view. Even the ship's theatre is plusher than any other I've been in. It has swivel leather chairs like you'd see in a home cinema, second only in comfort to the king-size bed in my suite, which I discover has electronic controls to adjust it just right. The most ultra-luxe things on Scenic Eclipse II are the helicopters and submersible but, as they can't operate in Indonesia, these Mission: Impossible toys are grounded except on Cape York at the start of my voyage. Even so, this chic yacht is a serious expedition vessel, and we put Zodiacs and kayaks to good use. The Zodiac drivers, faces swathed like ninjas against the sun, are rather silent: the only exception to general crew chattiness. The expedition team that accompanies them know their stuff and are only too happy to share it both ashore, on the reef, or during lectures in the theatre. I follow Babsi Neubarth into the water at every opportunity. The marine biologist's enthusiasm is infectious and her knowledge of corals and critters seemingly endless as we snorkel our way through Indonesia's islands. If you want to know the difference between staghorn and elkhorn coral – and which curious traveller doesn't – then Neubarth will enlighten you. Is there anyone on this ship who is less than agreeable and entertaining? Even the captain, affable Frenchman Erwan le Rouzic, is laid-back and gregarious. The door to the bridge is almost always open, and any guest can wander in for a chat with the officers about navigation and the ship's advanced technologies. Everyone on this ship gets butler service. My butler, Crispin, is like an unflappable character from an Edwardian novel, shimmering unobtrusively about so I hardly know how my minibar has been restocked with my preferred gin brand, or my books straightened on my bedside table. Crispin is up and down the corridor, delivering guests' champagne buckets and fresh towels, making restaurant reservations and arranging the ironing. He's a busy man, but never forgets anyone's name, always pauses for a chat, and wants to know if there's anything more he can do. Short of conjuring up a unicorn, I'm not sure what else this ship could provide. Launched in 2023, Scenic Eclipse II retains its new, fresh feel and is barely scuffed. A few redesigned spaces have brought minor improvements compared to predecessor Scenic Eclipse. Could I quibble? Of course, because that's what travellers do. On a luxury ship, I might expect more fresh and fewer plastic flowers, and more than a couple of shelves of books: bring your own reading, or you might be disappointed. In my ensuite, the flat sink has the requisite designer-chic looks but doesn't function well and, on an expedition ship in particular, there ought to be more bathroom racks on which to hang towels and wet clothes. Some passengers find the ship's decor monochrome and monastic, but I like the muted greys, sense of space, lack of clutter and bling, and attractive soft lighting. Scenic Eclipse II is a confident ship that doesn't need to shout about its luxury credentials. What the decor lacks in exuberance, it makes up for in tranquillity. We're all cocooned in comfort, exceedingly well-fed and surrounded by mind-soothing spaces. There's even a specific mind-soothing space designed for yoga and Pilates. Scenic Eclipse II carries only 228 passengers and never feels crowded. Everything is all-inclusive. You have no bother on this beautiful ship, and will look forward to every meal. Loading But best of all, passengers and crew alike are relaxed and informal. This is luxury that requires no performance, and makes you smile. It's just what Australians want, and more holidays should be like this. THE DETAILS CRUISE Scenic Eclipse II sails a Kimberley season between early July and mid-September 2025 before crossing the Top End into the Pacific towards New Zealand. From mid-December, it sails three unusual Ross Sea itineraries to Antarctica. Then in March 2026, it heads across the Pacific and transits the Panama Canal for a summer season in Europe.
Sydney Morning Herald
13-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
No luxury cruise line does things quite like this Australian one
On Scenic, none of that is true, perhaps because most of the guests on my Indonesia cruise are Australian. Australians don't generally go in for pretension and formality, least of all in tropical destinations or while on holiday. That makes Scenic Eclipse II the luxury ship for those wary of luxury ships. No need to bring your suit or your jewellery. Not many stilted cocktail conversations at the bar. No complicated menus that you need a multilingual dictionary to decipher. That doesn't mean standards are lowered on this ship. Far from it. Menus might be easy to navigate, but the food is upmarket and the quality and variety outstanding. It has one of the best lunchtime buffets at sea (in a restaurant venue called Yacht Club), and one of the best French restaurants (Lumiere) and Mediterranean restaurants (Elements), too. For a ship of this size, the dining choices are remarkable. Among other venues is Koko's Asian Fusion, which delivers the welcome big flavours of South-East Asia, India and China, and which also features a separate sushi counter and teppanyaki-style grill. In the latter, a few guests at a time enjoy small plates inspired by Asian street food, prepared in front of them by the chefs. It's a smart way to bring very relaxed dining onto a cruise ship without resorting to the same-old pool grill. The ship's decor is boutique-hotel chic in a moody, minimalist way, which makes the odd burst of art and colour all the more arresting. The Asian restaurant has striking geisha-inspired art; the walls of the Observation Lounge erupt in fantastical jungle motifs in which animals lurk. Heated plunge pool? Tick. Suave spa? Yes, and even bigger than the one on sister ship Scenic Eclipse. It has unusual offerings like a salt-therapy lounge and infrared sauna designed to propel you into Zen-like somnolence. Sky Bar? Why not? In the world's wild places, you can't beat a cold drink with a hot view. Even the ship's theatre is plusher than any other I've been in. It has swivel leather chairs like you'd see in a home cinema, second only in comfort to the king-size bed in my suite, which I discover has electronic controls to adjust it just right. The most ultra-luxe things on Scenic Eclipse II are the helicopters and submersible but, as they can't operate in Indonesia, these Mission: Impossible toys are grounded except on Cape York at the start of my voyage. Even so, this chic yacht is a serious expedition vessel, and we put Zodiacs and kayaks to good use. The Zodiac drivers, faces swathed like ninjas against the sun, are rather silent: the only exception to general crew chattiness. The expedition team that accompanies them know their stuff and are only too happy to share it both ashore, on the reef, or during lectures in the theatre. I follow Babsi Neubarth into the water at every opportunity. The marine biologist's enthusiasm is infectious and her knowledge of corals and critters seemingly endless as we snorkel our way through Indonesia's islands. If you want to know the difference between staghorn and elkhorn coral – and which curious traveller doesn't – then Neubarth will enlighten you. Is there anyone on this ship who is less than agreeable and entertaining? Even the captain, affable Frenchman Erwan le Rouzic, is laid-back and gregarious. The door to the bridge is almost always open, and any guest can wander in for a chat with the officers about navigation and the ship's advanced technologies. Everyone on this ship gets butler service. My butler, Crispin, is like an unflappable character from an Edwardian novel, shimmering unobtrusively about so I hardly know how my minibar has been restocked with my preferred gin brand, or my books straightened on my bedside table. Crispin is up and down the corridor, delivering guests' champagne buckets and fresh towels, making restaurant reservations and arranging the ironing. He's a busy man, but never forgets anyone's name, always pauses for a chat, and wants to know if there's anything more he can do. Short of conjuring up a unicorn, I'm not sure what else this ship could provide. Launched in 2023, Scenic Eclipse II retains its new, fresh feel and is barely scuffed. A few redesigned spaces have brought minor improvements compared to predecessor Scenic Eclipse. Could I quibble? Of course, because that's what travellers do. On a luxury ship, I might expect more fresh and fewer plastic flowers, and more than a couple of shelves of books: bring your own reading, or you might be disappointed. In my ensuite, the flat sink has the requisite designer-chic looks but doesn't function well and, on an expedition ship in particular, there ought to be more bathroom racks on which to hang towels and wet clothes. Some passengers find the ship's decor monochrome and monastic, but I like the muted greys, sense of space, lack of clutter and bling, and attractive soft lighting. Scenic Eclipse II is a confident ship that doesn't need to shout about its luxury credentials. What the decor lacks in exuberance, it makes up for in tranquillity. We're all cocooned in comfort, exceedingly well-fed and surrounded by mind-soothing spaces. There's even a specific mind-soothing space designed for yoga and Pilates. Scenic Eclipse II carries only 228 passengers and never feels crowded. Everything is all-inclusive. You have no bother on this beautiful ship, and will look forward to every meal. Loading But best of all, passengers and crew alike are relaxed and informal. This is luxury that requires no performance, and makes you smile. It's just what Australians want, and more holidays should be like this. THE DETAILS CRUISE Scenic Eclipse II sails a Kimberley season between early July and mid-September 2025 before crossing the Top End into the Pacific towards New Zealand. From mid-December, it sails three unusual Ross Sea itineraries to Antarctica. Then in March 2026, it heads across the Pacific and transits the Panama Canal for a summer season in Europe.
Yomiuri Shimbun
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Osaka Gourmet EXPO 2025 Ongoing at Osaka Castle Park; 30 Pop-up Food Stalls Offer Unique Tastes
Osaka is often referred to as the city of 'kuidaore' (to collapse from overeating). What that means is that while people in Kyoto spend their money on kimono, people in Osaka spend their money on food. Osaka, in other words, has a culture of eating untill you drop. As I was born and raised in a family of gourmet food lovers in Hyogo Prefecture, which neighbors Osaka, I was asked to report on the Osaka Gourmet Expo 2025, a food event taking place alongside the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. 'Alright, let's do this. It's time for a kuidaore foodie report!' I thought to myself, feeling fully motivated, and headed to the venue: Osaka Castle Park's Taiyo-no-Hiroba (Sun Square). The entrance to Osaka Gourmet Expo 2025A seating area inside a huge tentVisitors chat in the seating are also seats it comes to Osaka's specialties, you can't ignore okonomiyaki, takoyaki and horumon-yaki. All of these hot dishes are cooked on a griddle, and the two days that I spent at the venue were incredibly hot. As the name 'Sun Square' suggests, the sun was beating down relentlessly. Even though it was only June, the temperature was approaching 35 C, and it wouldn't have been surprising if someone had dropped even before they'd started to eat. Despite the heat, the view of the 30 food stalls lined up with Osaka Castle in the background was truly impressive. Okonomiyaki with a fluffy textureBonne Qualite's menuBonne Qualite staff cooks okonomiyaki. The first stall I visited was Bonne Qualite, where I ordered pork okonomiyaki. It's the first food stall opened by the French restaurant Lumiere in Osaka. The restaurant's famous chef designed the stall's menu. The dining area for the event is located inside two large, air-conditioned tents in the center of the venue, where you can order from a seat of your choice using a smartphone. Once your order is ready, you receive a notification via email and can pick up your food from the stall in front of the tents. The piping hot pork okonomiyaki was fluffy and extremely delicious. According to the employee who made it, the use of aburakasu, a specialty of Osaka, is what makes it unique. Aburakasu is generally made by frying beef intestines in oil until crispy. It's commonly used as a topping for udon noodles in Osaka. The aburakasu enhances the pork's aroma. Dried shrimp is added to the okonomiyaki to further enrich its flavor, while pickled radish and ginger provide a refreshing balance. I also enjoyed the crispy texture of the dish. Ayaka Isobe serves takoyaki is hot and fluffy on the I ordered takoyaki with sauce at Konamonya Hachi. The first thing I noticed was that the takoyaki balls were very big. The outside was crispy, and the inside was creamy, offering the perfect traditional texture. The flavor of the eight takoyaki balls, made with a secret, bonito-based dashi broth, along with bonito flakes, spring onion and green nori, exploded in my mouth. This eatery chain, which uses custom-made copper plates with excellent heat conductivity, originated in Nara and has grown to have over 40 shops nationwide. The stall manager, Ayaka Isobe, 35, saw the sweat pouring from my face and kindly offered me a bulging stomach, I headed to Osaka Minami Horumon Center. This eatery has its origins in the street stalls of Nishinari, Osaka City, the birthplace of horumon-yaki (barbecued offal). I ordered mixed horumon and harami (belly meat). The rich, secret sauce, passed down through generations, blends perfectly with the Wagyu beef offal, making it incredibly delicious. I couldn't resist and purchased a draft beer at the Suntory booth inside the dining tent. After sweating a lot from the three consecutive hot dishes, the beer was exactly what I needed. Delicious sweetsMatcha is currently enjoying a huge boom among foreign visitors to Japan. At a shop called Lazy Ice, I found and ordered a parfait featuring matcha ice cream and matcha-flavored Japanese confections, which was sweet and delicious and instantly cooled me down. 'We added warabi mochi (bracken-starch dumpling) and shiratama (mochi balls) to evoke a Japanese image. We make it low in calories,' Lazy Ice President Tetsuya Yamamoto, 56, told me. The store name is said to reflect their wish for people to feel lazy and happy while eating something sweet. Finally, at Mou×Mou Milky Paradise, I tried the soft-serve ice cream made with milk from Kyushu's Aso area. It had a rich flavor but was refreshingly light. The ice cream is handmade at the venue. Ramen with black pork cartilageAs a ramen reporter, I was intrigued by Kurobuta Nankotsu King, with its catchphrase, 'It's not tonkotsu; it's nankotsu!' (Nankotsu refers to cartilage.) I ordered the nankotsu mazesoba, a soupless ramen topped with cooked black pork nankotsu instead of the usual chashu meat. It was my first time trying it, but contrary to the image, the nankotsu had a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a sweet, umami flavor, which made it exceptionally delicious. 'Black pork nankotsu is a very rare cut that is not generally available,' said Mitsunori Hasuta, 60, an employee at a meat processing and wholesale company, which opened the pop-up ramen shop for the event. 'This ramen can only be eaten here.' His tanned, rugged body exuded energy as he spoke, perhaps because of all the black pork nankotsu he eats. Mitsunori Hasuta at the Kurobuta Nankotsu KingSoft and delicious black pork nankotsuMix well before eating 'Only 300 grams of black pork nankotsu can be obtained from a single pig,' Hasuta explained, adding that compared to regular white pork nankotsu, the meat has a rich, deep flavor but is light and easy to eat. The company has a factory in Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, where they process the nankotsu and send it to the event venue in vacuum-sealed packages. Mazesoba is a dish in which you mix the noodles and toppings together before eating. I mixed the thick noodles and a small amount of sauce made from black pork broth with spices and ground sesame seeds, green onions, garlic chips, chinese chives and egg yolk. It was spicy and delicious.*** Osaka Gourmet Expo 2025 Hosted by the city of Osaka and supported by Suntory as an event alongside the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, Osaka Gourmet Expo 2025 is taking place at Osaka Castle Park's Taiyo-no-Hiroba through Oct. 13. Around 30 food and beverage booths are open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free. In the evenings, there are live music performances and other shows on a stage inside the seating area.■Ramen of Japan e-book now on sale An e-book featuring 30 ramen shops from across Japan that were introduced in my popular column, Ramen of Japan, in The Japan News is now on sale. Use it as your ramen guide in Japan. To purchase a copy, scan the QR code below. ▼Click the icons below to purchase 'Ramen of Japan' for just ¥ 楽天Kobo> Apple Books> honto>
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lumiere 2025: Volunteers needed as festival returns to Durham City
Volunteer recruitment is now open for the return of Lumiere to Durham. Durham County Council has launched its call for volunteers to help bring Lumiere to life in 2025, as part of a series of events celebrating Volunteers' Week and the vital role volunteers play in supporting culture and community across the region. Lumiere, the UK's light art biennial, will take place from Thursday, November 13 to Saturday, November 15. Celebrating Volunteers Week at Locomotion in Shildon (Image: DCC) Volunteers are needed to help welcome visitors and support the smooth running of the festival, with a minimum commitment of one four-hour shift during the event. Councillor Lyndsey Fox, cabinet member for economy and partnerships at Durham County Council, said: "Across the county, thousands of volunteers give up their time on a regular basis to help run cultural events and activities and work on projects which support the environment, as well as welcoming visitors to the county at our festivals and events. "We are using Volunteers' Week to say thank you for the hours of time and effort our volunteers have given. Celebrating Volunteers' Week with a walk (Image: DCC) "They help us run some fantastic cultural events that enhance community wellbeing, as well as attracting visitors to the county and supporting the economy." Volunteers' Week, which runs from June 2 to June 8, has featured a programme of celebration events across County Durham, including walking and running events, a picnic, a buffet, and a gathering at Locomotion in Shildon. Lynne Heasman, a long-time Lumiere volunteer, described her experiences as deeply rewarding. Celebrating Volunteers' Week (Image: DCC) Ms Heasman said: "It's a privilege to be involved in such an exciting and popular arts event and volunteering gets you involved right into the heart of it. "I have even had my image projected onto the cathedral as part of an installation. "I have always felt proud to set out on a shift in our beautiful city with other volunteers, many of whom return for every Lumiere. "I've enjoyed assisting people to get the most out of the light installations and it's really satisfying to know I've contributed to someone's enjoyment. "I have met so many interesting people from artists to visitors to all those involved in running such an incredible event and enjoyed every question and conversation. "Being involved with Lumiere I feel valued and appreciated, especially by the Volunteer Durham team who take the utmost care of us and ensure that we enjoy the festival as much as the visitors – probably even more so. "Volunteering at Lumiere is a lot of fun, very rewarding and I can't think of a better way to experience the festival." The Lumiere Volunteer scheme is sponsored by MGL Group. Gillian Reader, director of MGL Group, said: "MGL Group is delighted to sponsor the Lumiere Volunteers scheme, which provides a meaningful and exciting way for anyone to be a part of this iconic event. "As a family business deeply rooted in Durham, MGL Group is proud to continue our support of Lumiere. "We believe in fostering a vibrant community, and sponsoring this event goes beyond celebrating art and culture. Read more: County Durham shops warned of £200 fines if found selling disposable vapes after ban Fresh off the block, market place chippy latest in Echo's top ten Demolition plans lodged for County Durham primary school's swimming pool "It supports our region's vitality and drives positive economic impact. "We're honoured to be part of something that brings joy to residents and visitors." Lumiere is created and produced by Artichoke, commissioned by Durham County Council, and supported by Arts Council England. For more information about how to apply to volunteer at Lumiere, as well as explore other volunteering opportunities in the county, visit
Japan Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Uh-oh, is the rest of the world making JRPGs better than Japan?
Hailed as 2025's first bonafide game-of-the-year candidate, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 released on April 24 from out of absolutely nowhere. More surprisingly, its gameplay and narrative, heavily influenced by Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs), were crafted by a team with little to do with Japan at all. Developed by French studio Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sets the player in a Belle Epoque-inspired world devastated by an enigmatic apocalypse that annually culls survivors of progressively younger ages. As the game begins, the lone bastion city of Lumiere gathers to bid farewell to all 33-year-old residents as well as Expedition 33, the latest in a long line of doomed task forces charged with traveling to a distant continent where, it's believed, lies a solution to the deepening crisis. You'd be right for thinking none of that sounds particularly Japanese, but make no mistake: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not only a JRPG, a genre that has outstripped the geographical limitations its name might suggest, but it's quite possibly the best JRPG of the decade to date. So what even is a JRPG? In the 1980s and '90s, a cut-and-dry definition of 'role-playing games made in Japan' sufficed, but the gameplay mechanics established in this era — turn-based combat, an overworld punctuated by smaller dungeons and recruitable party members often differentiated by specializations like physical damage, magic-wielding or healing powers, etc. — came to define the genre as a whole. Aesthetics and narrative style also developed their own JRPG niches. The former increasingly took on anime-influenced character designs and voice acting idiosyncrasies, and the latter came to embrace predefined stories (as opposed to ones that change based on player choice) of ragtag groups of ostensibly ordinary adventurers drawn into world-altering struggles with kings, demons, gods and more. The tricky thing is that none of these elements are unique to JRPGs as a genre, and if one or more of them are missing, that doesn't necessarily disqualify a game from the label. More often than not, what separates a Western-style RPG like Baldur's Gate 3 from a JRPG like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — both developed by non-Japanese studios — is an 'I know it when I see it' litmus test, as ambiguous in some cases as it is foolproof in others. In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's case, I see a JRPG when I look at this game, which raises a more pressing question than a debate over what is or isn't a JRPG: Why aren't Japanese developers cranking out the type of games that once made the genre the source of some of gaming's best efforts? While developers outside of Japan are making games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, some of the pillars of the country's domestic JRPG scene are focused on remakes and remasters. | SANDFALL INTERACTIVE By critical metrics, the last truly great Japanese-developed JRPG was 2016's Persona 5 (with honorable mention to 2019's Kingdom Hearts III). Last year's Metaphor: ReFantazio was an admirable stab at a new story and setting from former Persona devs, but otherwise, the domestic JRPG scene has since become dominated by remasters and remakes. Industry giant Square Enix is preoccupied not only with sticking the landing on the third and final installment of its multipart remake of 1997's Final Fantasy VII, but it's also working on a remake of the original Dragon Quest (1986) and Dragon Quest II (1988) — following up a similar reworking of Dragon Quest III (1988) released earlier this year. This is hardly a problem specific to Square Enix. Over at Nintendo, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition released in March, remaking the 2015 game of the same name (setting aside the discussion of whether a 10-year-old game needs a remake at all). It's not that these remasters and re-releases make for objectively bad games, but they do little to move JRPGs as a genre forward. The plucky studios of Japan's past have since become or been subsumed into giant corporations, whose inexorable profit motive rewards commoditization of nostalgia over creative and financial risks aimed at the future. Meanwhile, developers outside Japan continue to experiment with the genre. In 2022, German developer Matthias Linda released Chained Echoes to critical acclaim, and in 2023, Sea of Stars, developed by Montreal-based Sabotage Studio, drew similarly high praise. These games were small in graphical scale, but they were original efforts that drew inspiration from JRPGs' earlier eras instead of repurposing and repacking them. Now, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has set a new high-water mark in modern JRPGs. The next mainline Dragon Quest game is still at least a year or two away from launch, and the Final Fantasy franchise has no releases planned for 2025. So if Japan is to answer the call set down by France's triumph, it just might have to be a daring unknown, a tried-and-true genre trope, that puts Japan-made JRPGs back on the map.
