#4 star hotel in pinewood

[kalbeliya-tunesonroad]

Connecting to Himachal through the modern city “Kasauli”

“My soul is savoring freedom or maybe its hunting solace, 

clueless I may seem but my soul has been harmonized,

blending and whisking itself into soothing and pacified energy.

ABOUT THE PLACE     

 Kasauli is a small hill town in the solan district of Himachal Pradesh, known for its sunsets, colonial-era houses and many more heart warming small spots. It is perfect place to spend your days in total peace of nature and still be connected modern day to day life .    

 TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE 

How to reach   

 Major attractions          

Accommodation          

Overall budget

Breaking the budget

 Unique about Kasauli / Insights 

A Personal spot worth sharing  

   ~Song of the trip                                                    ~Book of the trip

         HOW TO REACH    

 Kasauli is 287.3 km away from Delhi and 57.3 km away from Chandigarh thus very easy to reach.      

 ~BY BUS 

 The best way to reach Kasauli is by Bus. There is no direct bus or train from Delhi to Kasauli. First take a bus from ISBT Delhi ( Kashmere Gate metro station ) to Chandigarh. Also keep in mind to take a bus that takes you to sector 43  ISBT Chandigarh and not to sector 17 ISBT Chandigarh. There are many options available and it would not be difficult to board a bus from ISBT ( I took roadways). From sector 43 Chandigarh ISBT take a bus to Shimla and deboard at Dharampur ( I took Himachal Roadways which costed me around 110 bucks only). From Dharampur catch a bus to Kasauli which is almost 9 km away.           

~BY TRAIN          

  You can catch a train to Kalka. Many trains are available at different timings ( Himalayan queen, Kalka Shatabadi, Kalka mail). From Kalka catch a private bus or roadways to Dharampur and from Dharampur to Kasauli. 

 “TIP” : Private buses may take long, better to take Roadways. 

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS         

 Baptist Church     

 Sunset point     

 Monkey point    

 Gilbert Trail    

 Kasauli Tibetan market   

 Gurka Fort                           

 Toy train     

  Gurunanak Gurudwara                           

   Kasauli Brewery                                                                                                                               

BAPTIST CHURCH

                     Inside view of Baptist Church

Timings: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

It was built by Britishers in 1923 and the architecture of Baptist church is mesmerizing. You can roam around, sit in peace and buy beautiful bracelets. You can find shops nearby in case you want to buy anything.

SUNSET POINT

                              The half naked range of mountains from sunset point

Timings: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM

The view is beautiful at any time of the day but obviously the sunset after which it has been named is amazing. You will find people clicking photos with their loved ones.

MONKEY POINT

Timings: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

 Facilities: Food and water is available with washroom facility.

Things to keep in mind: 

Carry an identity proof to get in   

Electronics are prohibited                                                                          

Monkey point is one of the major attractions of Kasauli. It is located inside the Air force base. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman where he rested while returning to Lanka carrying Sanjivni booty. Also the top of the hill is in the shape of Lord Hanuman’s foot and it is 3.5 km away from Kasauli bus station. It takes about 15-20 minutes to get to the top. You will find hundreds of monkey in your way. Once you get at the top, you can enjoy the view of mountains and watch Satluj river turning and twisting its way around the horizon. This place is secure and strict. Also it is not hard to find, you can inquire any shopkeeper or may be army officials.

GILBERT TRAIL  

    Pinewood trees and the sky changing its color as the dawn hits at Gilbert trail

Timings: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM 

Location: Gilbert trail is at a distance of 2 Km from the Kasauli bus stand and can be easily reached 

Gilbert trail is a 1.5 km walkway giving a beautiful view of pinewood tree, Himalayan oaks covered in a little mist, little wild flowers here and there. Make sure to be careful to wear good shoes during the monsoon season as the walkway is kaccha, narrow and becomes slippery after it rains.

KASAULI TIBETAN MARKET

                       Bun samosa from a shop in Tibetan market

Timings: 10 AM: 9:00 PM

Located near the mall road Kasauli Tibetan market  is a beautiful place to be at to enjoy shopping and yummy food. At night the lights, people roaming around in beautiful clothes with shops full of woolens, antiques, art craft, handicrafts and jewels mesmerizing your senses.  

GURKA FORT

Timings: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM

It is located in the town of Subathu at a small hillock and falls under the major attraction. It gives a beautiful background to photoholics. It is surrounded by Forest. Located at the remote corner and can be easily reached by road. Basically Gurka Fort is mostly ruins in today’s date and is known for its architectural left.

TOY TRAIN

 Toy train in Kasauli gives you the beautiful scenic views. The surroundings will hold you till the end of your journey. You can board the train up to Dharampur, take the train up to Barog and return. Toy train can be booked online, check the timings online as the schedule keeps on changing.

GURUDWARA SHRI NANAK JI 

Located in the market of Ghorkha on a road going towards Kasauli. Gurudwara Shri Nanak Ji is a religious place . It also provides free accommodation to the needy ones. Each Sunday Kada Prashad( sacred food) is distributed. Since it is an religious place you can visit it any time.

KASAULI BREWERY

Timings: 7:00 AM- 7:30 PM

Kasauli brewery (Mohan Meakin Ltd) serves different imported and brewed drinks and for sure serves your taste buds right. Established in 1820′s by Edward Dyer, this is Asia’s oldest working distillery.

ACCOMMODATION

From home stay to resort to luxurious hotels with wonderful views. You can easily find places to stay in Kasauli. You can make online bookings according to your budget and choice as the price variety is wide enough to fit in any pocket.

TIP: There is as such no need to hire a guide. You can easily find each place and reach them by roads.

OVERALL BUDGET

Transportation: 900 bucks

Food: 1000 bucks

Tickets: Around 100 bucks

No accommodation included

BREAKING THE BUDGET

BUS CHARGES( Includes reaching the destination and return)

 2*250 = 500 ( I took Haryana Roadways from Delhi to Chandigarh)

2*110 = 220 ( I took Himachal Roadways from Chandigarh to Dharampur)

2*40 = 80 ( I took a public bus from Dharampur to Kasauli bud stand)

Total Transportation charges = 800 bucks

    2. FOOD = 1000 bucks ( If you eat in good cafe and it is even less if you eat in nearby shops, there are plenty of small shops within reachable distance)

   3. TICKETS = AROUND 100 BUCKS ( At most of the places you are not required to buy any tickets and if any place requires ticket formalities the price is very low)

   4. Total : 1900 bucks.

Also this whole information is regarding the one day I took to cover Kasauli and there are no accommodation charges Included since I didn’t stay in Kasauli for the night.

UNIQUE ABOUT KASAULI / INSIGHT

Does the darkness of night and flickering of stars make you want to taste chilled beer when its raining heat and whiskey or old monk on a breezy cold night ? Then Kasauli brewery( Mohan Meakin Ltd ) is the place. It is Asia’s oldest working distillery famous for serving finest scotch whiskey and many other brands.

 Also being a beautiful and peaceful place, its also connected through roads and is easy to cover. It is the nearest hill station from Delhi and Chandigarh where you can take a break from usual life, eat, roam in markets, sacred places and feel the nature taking over all your worries.

Also there is no problem with the crowd. So for solo travelers or solo female travelers its safe, Kasauli being an cantonment is quite safe, strict and secure . Everything is easily available and locals are quite friendly. 

A PERSONAL SPOT WORTH SHARING

Kasauli is known for its beautiful sunsets and sunrises, I have been to Kasauli twice and both the times i was flabbergasted by the sunset views. Once you cover 700-800 m of Gilbert Trail walkway, there is a turning and stretched area in front of the turn, a soothing place other than sunset point to watch the beautiful sun setting behind the mountains of Kasauli and the whole city of Chandigarh covered in twinkling lights after the sunset.

~Song of the trip : Night changes by One direction    

~Book of the trip : The last runaway by Tracy Chevalier

[sleemo]

John Boyega: ‘It will never be just a job’

The Star Wars actor talks about swapping south London for a galaxy far, far away. 

— The Sunday Times Magazine (Dec 16, 2017)

John Boyega auditioned for seven months to land a role in the biggest film franchise of them all. Now he’s the most loved ex-stormtrooper in the galaxy. The Star Wars actor tells Ben Hoyle about growing up in south London, sofa surfing in Los Angeles to save money – and making it as a world-famous star and producer by the age of 25

You knew that John Boyega was different as soon as he dived over the back of his agent’s sofa. 

It was October 20, 2015, and the young south Londoner was catching his first glimpse of the full-length trailer for Star Wars: the Force Awakens. The film would be the first in the franchise since Disney paid George Lucas $4 billion for the company, Lucasfilm, that owned Star Wars. The trailer was a masterpiece of blockbuster marketing. Around the world Star Wars devotees swooned at a silver-haired Han Solo hugging a weeping Princess Leia, at Darth Vader’s crumpled mask, at R2-D2, Chewbacca and the Millennium Falcon all being back in action. Everything was meticulously planned and choreographed to provoke the biggest possible global emotional response.

Everything, except for Boyega’s reaction to the trailer. That was what made it so appealing. In the video, which the actor posted to Instagram and which has racked up more than one million views on YouTube, Boyega is tense at first, sitting on a sofa in someone’s living room with his arms folded and his eyes intently on the screen, breathing heavily. 

A minute in he shouts, “Come on!” and then starts nodding, increasingly vigorously, as glimpses of scenes unfold. Then he’s saying, “Yep, yep, yep,” repeatedly, until the trailer gets to the point where his character, Finn, takes guard with a lightsaber. At this point, Boyega bursts into a yell of triumph, pumps both fists and rolls over the back of the sofa in delight while the friend sitting next to him roars with joy and disbelief.

The shouting didn’t last long though, a grinning Boyega says on the eve of the release of the next film in the series, Star Wars: the Last Jedi. “I was in my agent’s apartment and his missus was like, ‘Keep the noise down,’” he says, doing a high-pitched, unimpressed voice. “It was a great moment, but after that you just ... watch it again. And again. And again.”

All those YouTube views were you, then? “Yeah, yeah!” He starts laughing. “Exactly!”

I meet the world’s most famous Anglo-Nigerian former stormtrooper in a hotel in Los Angeles. A whole floor of the hotel has been decked out in Star Wars memorabilia ranging from the obvious (action figures, cuddly toys) to Darth Vader pyjamas for dogs. You are left in no doubt that much more is at stake here than simply making a good or bad film: it’s a movie that is almost certain to be the most successful film of the year and quite likely to be one of the biggest of all time.

This year Boyega has been on the cover of Vanity Fair, Variety and GQ and been named one of Time magazine’s Next Generation Leaders. A few nights ago he was on The Tonight Show, showing off his Michael Jackson dance moves for Jimmy Fallon. At 25, Boyega is no longer the newcomer that he was the last time he took a spin around the Star Wars promotional circuit. 

He is famous enough to have caused a small scandal among more easily outraged Star Wars fans by grinding with a skimpily dressed performer at the Notting Hill Carnival this summer – and confident enough to have, quite rightly, shrugged it off. He tends to speak his mind, slapping down Samuel L Jackson on Twitter for suggesting that black British actors do not “really feel” the hardship of the African-American experience as “a stupid ass conflict that we don’t have time for”. In May, The Times hailed his “very fine and distressingly good performance” in the title role of Woyzeck at the Old Vic.

As well as acting, he has become a producer on Pacific Rim Uprising, out next year, in which he also stars. And he’s just appeared in The Hollywood Reporter with Tom Hanks and Gary Oldman in a discussion with likely Oscar contenders. (Boyega has been critically lauded for his performance in Detroit, set during the city’s 1967 riot.) In other words, he’s a fully fledged movie star these days.

The door opens and I’m ushered into Boyega’s presence. All I can see is a pair of box-fresh white trainers and some black trousers lurking under a huge dark rectangle. There is silence in the room. For a few moments it’s as if I have stumbled into a new performance art phase of his relentless career advance.

Then, with a briefly weary look, the actor puts down the mounted Star Wars promotional poster that he’d been examining from his white leather chair, offers me his hand and switches on his big interview grin.

Boyega is 5ft 9in, stockily built with a powerful physical presence, a Peckham accent and a boisterous personality that probably fills most rooms that he enters. It doesn’t take him long to warm up.

He looks lean and muscular today beneath his blue and white Valentino jacket. Handily, he has a body that bursts with muscles as soon as he starts working on it, he says. But he is quite happy to let himself go a bit for a role too, as he did with Detroit. He likes being “chubby”.

“I just like delicious carbs,” he says, beaming. “I like diversity in many ways. And one thing I’ve always been aware of is diversity in character and shape. There’s a view of perfection on the screen constantly being fed to us, and you look at the heroes in real life and you’re like, there should be more of a difference there.”

Before long he’s leaning forward, furrowing his brows and gripping an imaginary lightsaber, ready for battle. Laughing at himself, but also serious, he is explaining why that instant in The Force Awakens trailer meant so much to him.

“Watching myself with the lightsaber. When you’re on set it’s not as epic. That specific moment of it lighting up, yeah? You hold it and then the cameras roll, and then they go, ‘Action!’ and then the director shouts, ‘Er ... Ignite!’ and then they pause. They swap out the saber for the lit one and someone runs in [he acts out this part], puts it in your hand, and then you have to just go, ‘Grrrrrrr.’ [Here he snaps back into his fight pose and grimaces.] It’s still illuminated, ’cos Dan Mindel [director of photography on The Force Awakens] uses the sabers to make the face pop. So he remotely controls the levels of the sabers. When you crash them together, they turn white. It’s cool. They can change the colours of your saber. And I always ask him, ‘Do my rainbow one,’ in between takes.”

Boyega starts swiping the air with his imaginary lightsaber, chuckling and adding his own sound effects, as a six-year-old boy might: “Wooowoooohoooohoooo!”

The trailer was also special because Boyega is an unabashed fanboy himself. “I’d grown up wanting to be in major Hollywood films and I was the type of person to always check to see what new trailers were on YouTube and to watch B-rolls [extra, usually soundless footage shot to illustrate a story]. I buy DVDs so I can watch the special features. Marketing [of big films] is something that has always intrigued me. So it was like endless curiosity ... Then to be involved in it, for me, it was like: this is nuts!

“I don’t think it will ever feel like just a job. And that’s also me just kind of trying to draw some lessons from watching Mark, Harrison and Carrie [Hamill, Ford and Fisher].” Making Star Wars films becomes all-consuming, he says. “You go into isolation. You go into Pinewood [studios], and we make the movies. And then when the movies are cooking, there’s a quietness. And when the movies are coming out, there is always going to be that natural thing of, now we get the audience involved – you know, to see what we’ve got.”

What he really loves is making the films. “The collaborating of people is something special. That collaboration, where for six, seven months you’re part of one family, coming in every day, filming different scenes ... That to me is where I feel at home. It’s not interviews, it’s not red-carpet stuff. It’s the real deal where it’s acting, it’s technique, it’s craft. It’s great.”

Shooting can be hilarious, though. “Saying all this serious stuff, looking up and then pushing buttons that don’t exist,” he laughs. “I remember when we were filming the gunner sequence in The Force Awakens, I’m shooting, and JJ Abrams, the director, is like, ‘Uh, John, can you push more buttons? Please? It just makes you look more important.’”

Then there was the day Princes William and Harry visited the set of The Last Jedi and dressed up for cameos as stormtroopers. “It was definitely random to meet them. But, then I thought, ‘Well, we are filming it in the UK. Why wouldn’t we have royal approval?’”

Returning to the Star Wars circuit for a second time “feels different”. He knows what to expect this time round. “It just gets real loud.” He finds himself thinking, “Just release the film, man! We want people to go see it.”

When The Force Awakens came out Boyega went to New York to surprise fans at cinemas across the city and then flew home to London to make further unannounced appearances at screenings in Peckham, Greenwich and Brixton.

“I stayed in the city, in London, just to witness everything going crazy. Now I’m going on holiday – time for some separation. I’m going to Nigeria and the Caribbean.”

Surely you can’t get away from Star Wars – even there? “Oh, in Nigeria and the Caribbean you can ... to a certain extent. ’Cos they put a Nigerian in Star Wars, Nigerians are like, ‘We’re gonna go see it.’ But the role is secondary – it’s more about who you are, your family. And then it’s like, ‘Oh, he is also in that Star Wars film.’”

Boyega was born in Camberwell to first-generation immigrant Nigerian parents, nine years after Return of the Jedi came out. He grew up on a council estate in nearby Peckham. His father, Samson, was a Pentecostal preacher and also a “massive Bruce Willis fan”. His mother, Abigail, worked with disabled children. He has two older sisters: Blessing, a train driver and beauty blogger, and Grace, who works as his assistant. The family had “struggles”, which is why money matters “the most” to him now. “We’ve come a very long way,” he says, proudly.

At 17, the age that Boyega was when he started acting seriously, “my dad was on the streets in Africa, selling food to random drivers and farming part-time. My mum used to sell water and sausages on the street. So finances, financial stability, is something that’s important for my family.” 

He recently bought his parents a house. Do they still work? “Oh, I told them to stop all that.” Samson still preaches, “But the ministry has changed, in the sense that now I give him funds to be able to go and change other people’s lives. My mum and dad travel to Nigeria with their charity and they give water, toilet and educational facilities to neighbouring villages.”

Boyega has always bristled at media efforts to paint his life as the rags-to-riches fable of a boy who escaped the supposedly mean streets of Peckham to scale the heights of Hollywood.

“They went to town on that, and that was hilarious,” he says, not laughing. A while ago a newspaper ran a profile of him suggesting that he grew up surrounded by drugs, violence and gang life. He skewered it with a brusque tweet: “Inaccurate. Stereotypical. NOT my story.”

He does not want to clarify how well he knew Damilola Taylor, the ten-year-old Nigerian boy who went to his school and who was stabbed to death on the North Peckham estate in 2000. “That for me is personal,” he says with finality. But Damilola’s father, Richard Taylor, whom Boyega invited to the London premiere of The Force Awakens, has said, “Damilola and John and Grace were so close.” They were walking home with him on the day that he died, according to Taylor. Of all his friends, “They were the last to see him.”

Despite that tragedy, Boyega loved his youth and remembers it as full of culture and opportunity. “I had a fantastic childhood,” he has said. “I was exposed to a world of dance, tap, musical theatre. I performed at the Royal Albert Hall when I was 13.”

He joined Theatre Peckham, a programme for talented children, and studied performing arts at South Thames College. A small role in a prison drama at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn led to a lead part in 2011’s Attack the Block, Joe Cornish’s cult British sci-fi comedy. From the moment that a menacing Boyega appeared on screen, mugging a young nurse on her way home from work one night and then, seconds later, fighting for his life with an alien that has burst out of a car glove compartment, it was clear that he had both a magnetic talent and a gift for making the most outlandish material seem convincing.

He dropped out of his BA in film studies at the University of Greenwich after seeing Johnny Depp shooting a Pirates of the Caribbean film on campus. He realised he wanted to do that, and wasn’t getting any closer to it in the classroom.

Finding good acting jobs in Britain hard to come by, he started going to America looking for a break. He was 19. He stayed in West Hollywood for a while but ran out of money and “ended up sleeping on a sofa in Inglewood [a predominantly black neighbourhood], with a family there. They’re still like my family. It gives you perspective on many, many things. And they were a black-conscious family. So there were DVDs we were watching, and obviously lectures, talking about the black community, black finance.” He still visits them “all the time” and appreciates having a reference point to keep him grounded. “But to be honest, because of my background, because of the way I am and how I grew up, it’s what I attract. It’s what my universe attracts. I attract the folk that grew up the way I did. I can relate.”

In 2012 Boyega was in Los Angeles working on a Spike Lee pilot for a TV boxing drama that never got made. He had a meeting with Bryan Burk, the co-founder with JJ Abrams of the production company Bad Robot. Burk thought that Boyega was “fantastic” in Attack the Block and in person found him to be “as friendly as he is talented”. While Boyega was at the office he bumped into Abrams, who was walking out of an editing suite with Tom Cruise. He recalled in an Instagram post last year how he “mentally slowed down their epic two-man walk” and set it to a Jay-Z song in his head. Abrams knew him, too, said he had also loved Attack the Block and promised to get him a part “in something”. The post contains Boyega’s response: “Thanks mate and sure (fully not believing a word this man said).”

But Burk and Abrams did keep him in their thoughts. Casting The Force Awakens, they brought his name up “early on”. In Boyega’s second audition “the magic was right there”, Burk says. But the process took seven months of auditions. Boyega, being Boyega, “felt like I was gonna get the part, because they kept on bringing me back too many times”. At the end of the 7 months, he spent his last £70 on a 45-minute taxi ride to meet Abrams in Mayfair and discover his fate. He was now a bit nervous but still filmed the whole journey so he would be able to remember what life felt like before his world possibly changed for ever.

His casting led to racist abuse. Boyega refused to be cowed. “I’m proud of my heritage, and no man can take that away from me. I wasn’t raised to fear people with a difference of opinion. They are merely victims of a disease in their mind,” he later told The New York Times. “I’m grounded in who I am, and I am a confident black man.”

On set it swiftly became apparent he was also a fan let loose in the Star Wars universe. “When we did the film,” says Burk, “most of us were fans stepping into that world.” But Boyega was much less embarrassed about it. “My fondest memory of him was on Harrison’s last day of shooting. He had an enormous Han Solo action figure, 2ft tall – Harrison in his stormtrooper outfit in the original film. He had Harrison sign it. I think all of us actually were thinking, ‘Why didn’t we bring our Han Solo action figures in for Harrison to sign?’” 

Even now Boyega looks wide-eyed remembering “the room would stop” when Ford, Fisher and Hamill were interacting with each other. 

Hamill was the one Boyega directed his “nerd questions” to, because, “He will give you detail. It’s cool to hear his experiences.” Boyega, who still plays Star Wars video games, admires Hamill so much that on days when he was not shooting on The Last Jedi he would often go in anyway just to watch Hamill act.

Fisher stunned him early on by inviting him to come and stay with her in Beverly Hills. “I remember saying, ‘Carrie, that’s very generous, but like, we just met each other. I’m not just gonna come and stay in your guest house.” He regrets saying no, because going to stay with the famously hard-living Fisher would have been “pretty darn fun”. She died in December last year when Boyega was on a boat in Nigeria celebrating his parents’ wedding anniversary. The whole family was distraught. “It was a shocker,” he says. 

Of all the original principals, though, it is Ford who seems to have made the biggest impression, and not just because Han Solo was Boyega’s favourite character growing up. 

“Everyone has a fear of Harrison that I quite like,” he says, laughing. “He’s actually really chill.” On the last promotional tour Ford asked Boyega to show him somewhere local to eat in London. Boyega took him to 805, a Nigerian restaurant next to a Ladbrokes on the Old Kent Road. They sat by the bar and had fruit cocktails, soup made with pounded yam and jollof rice with plantain.

“Loads of people came around him and he was chill ... We were waiting for our car to pull up, and there were Nigerian men outside drinking and going [he puts on a strong Nigerian accent], ‘Oh, Harrison, good to see you.’ At his level of stardom, it’s nice to see that example and know that it’s my choice to keep a level of normality, to be able to be brave enough to go to a restaurant and to have a great time regardless.”

Ford also proved more able than the other two to carve out a major acting career beyond Star Wars, something that Boyega is already doing. “If you wait for the trilogy to be over there’s more convincing to do. Whereas, if you do other roles around Star Wars, the audience gets used to seeing you in different things.”

In Detroit Boyega has one of the larger roles in an ensemble drama – a harrowing portrait of racial tension in Sixties America. Boyega says Detroit proved “the audience believed me in something serious, ’cos I was worried that they’re going to be like, ‘What’s Finn doin’ over here?’ Nobody had that reaction to me. That really brought my blood pressure down.” 

The film paints a portrait of black life in Detroit at the time, pushing beyond simple “ghetto” stereotypes in just the same way that Boyega wants people to understand that there is more to Peckham than urban blight. “Sometimes we like to simplify things in the world just to process them more easily, and sometimes we need to be careful with that.” 

He still lives in south London, where he shares a flat with a roommate. “One thing I like is to go back to my local off-licence. The owner of the store has the Star Wars posters up, so I see that every single time I go. I’m like, ‘Boss, man.’ He’s like, ‘Oh, you’re back!’” The shop is Khan’s Bargain on Rye Lane. “Go get some stuff there, guys!” Boyega says, leaning over my Dictaphone. “He’s got my favourite childhood sweets. They’re like 39p; you get 3 for £1. If it goes over £1, man, I’m gonna be like, ‘You gotta be taking the piss!’ When I’m back home and I’m hanging out with my friends, we hang out the way we always hang out. And I’m gonna need sweets.” 

Is there anything he can’t do any more? Not really. He has always been a “homebody” and had sought out privacy long before he was famous. “When I was 16, I was like, ‘I can’t be getting on public transport no more, man.’ I already wanted to be in my own car, play my music, having my AC on.” 

He has bigger ambitions now. Bryan Burk says that he’s “100 per cent” sure that Boyega can become a successful producer and be “a lot more than just a leading man. I see him really putting his imprint on all types of movies.” 

But first there are celebrations to plan. Four of them. Boyega is throwing “three massive parties” in Nigeria over Christmas and a friend is helping to organise a costume party for him, his family and friends in Britain. The theme will be “villains only”. Can people come as a stormtrooper then? “Yeah, definitely. Come as whoever you want to come as.” 

So does he own a stormtrooper outfit? John Boyega, the first actor ever to portray these armoured warriors with humanity, looks horrified at the very idea.

“I would never carry that home. It just reminds me of getting chipped in the armpit by the plastic.” He pauses for a beat. “But a helmet I am dying to have.”

[noloveforned]

no love for ned on wlur – july 22nd, 2020 from 4-6pm

artist // track // album // label torres // too big for the glory hole // too big for the glory hole digital single // merge maita // coming up roses // coming up roses digital single // kill rock stars paint // tongue tied // spiritual vegas // mexican summer * zz ramirez and carrie keith // word back home // wayward love down a long dead road // wharf cat nick lowe // don't be nice to me // lay it on me ep // yep roc records clarence carter // your love lifted me // patches // atlantic the maxines // sweet nothing // burn it down cassette // girlsville haim // the steps // women in music pt. iii // columbia the beths // mars, the god of war // jump rope gazers // carpark * prince // i could never take the place of your man (1979 version) // sign o' the times (super deluxe) // warner terrorways // she's a mod // ak79 (expanded) compilation // flying nun rvg // little sharkie and the white pointer sisters // feral // fire margo price // gone to stay // that's how rumors get started // loma vista * screaming females // bad men // chalk tape cassette // don giovanni joanna sternberg // oh how self involved // songs for bail- a quarantine compilation // babe city alias ensemble // streets of derry // a splendour of heart // you've changed willie lane and wednesday knudsen // long time 'til tomorrow // long time 'til tomorrow // feeding tube loopsel // det som blir // loopsel 7" ep // mammas mysteriska jukebox gia margaret // apathy // mia gargaret // orindal ndabo zulu and umgidi ensemble featuring nduduzo makhathini and zöe modiga // ucu olum'nyama // queen nandi: the african symphony // mageba music john edwards and caroline kraabel // gloves off // day night // takuroku peter brötzmann, jay oliver and willi kellers featuring manfred schoof // in a state of undress // in a state of undress // fmp hupata! // urban heat island // microclimates cassette // astral spirits enchantment // if you're ready (here it comes) // once upon a dream // united artists berry blacc featuring angel bat dawid // george floyd // george floyd - single // rhythm lab blu and exile featuring jacinto rhines // the feeling // miles // fat beats starchild and the new romantic featuring nick hakim and le'asha // cool disco dan // forever // new romantic world * men i trust // all night (garage session) // forever live sessions // return to analog a.r. pinewood // i'm okay // no life // lost map traffic island sound // only if u want 2 // maximal electronics // under heat ali koehler // hackensack // saving for a custom van- a tribute to adam schlesinger // father/daughter * cool sounds // vice // vice digital single // hotel motel

* denotes music on wlur’s playlist

[silverbirdtravelplusltd-blog]

Celebrate this Valentine's in Style at the Kenya Coast...Wade in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, take long strolls along the white sandy beaches as you gaze into the unending horizon. Feel the cool tropical breeze gently slap against your body while soaking up some revitalizing energy from the sun..it's the experience of a lifetime. CONTACT US TODAY MOBILE: +254 733 203 050/ +254 737 991 981 TEL: +254(020) 258 9644/ +254 (020) 216 9866 EMAIL:marketing@silverbirdtravel.com MOMBASA SOUTH COAST 1) Amani Tiwi Beach Resort-4 Star-HB FROM Kes 5,200 Per person per night 2) Diani Reef Beach Resort-5 Star-HB FROM Kes 6,750 Per person per night 3) Neptune Village Beach Resort-4 Star-AI FROM Kes 7,000 Per person per night 4) Diani Sea Resort-4 Star-AI FROM Kes 8,300 Per person per night 5) Neptune Paradise Beach Resort-4 Star-AI FROM Kes 7,500 Per person per night 6) Diani Sea Lodge -3 Star-AI FROM Kes 6,400 Per person per night 7) Swahili Beach Resort-5 Star-HB FROM Kes 10,300 Per person per night 8) Pinewood Beach Resort-4 Star-HB FROM Kes 7,200 Per person per night MOMBASA NORTH COAST 1) Severin Sea Lodge-4 Star-HB FROM Kes 6,850 Per person per night 2) Neptune Beach Resort-4 Star-HB FROM Kes 7,000 Per person per night 3) Reef Hotel-4 Star-HB FROM Kes 5,950 Per person per night 4) Flamingo Beach Resort-4 Star-HB FROM Kes 6,250 Per person per night 5) Serena Beach Resort-5 Star-HB FROM Kes 9,600 Per person per night 6) Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort-5 Star-HB FROM Kes 10,500 Per person per night WATAMU 1) Ocean Sports Watamu - 4 Star – HB FROM Kes 5,950 Per person per night 2) Temple Point - 3 Star – HB FROM Kes 8,700 Per person per night 3) Turtle Bay Beach Resort-5 Star-AI FROM Kes 7,800 Per person per night 4) Medina Palms - 5 Star - Self Catering FROM Kes 8,750 Per person per night MALINDI 1) Sandies Tropical Village-4 Star-AI FROM Kes 7,750 Per person per night 2) Kilili Baharini Beach Resort & Spa - 4 Star – HB FROM Kes 9,000 Per person per night 3) Driftwood Beach Club - 4 Star – HB FROM Kes 8,075 Per person per night 4) Ocean Beach Resort-5 Star-FB FROM Kes 10,900 Per person per night 5) Diamonds Dream of Africa - 5 Star – AI FROM Kes 11,000 Per person per night LAMU 1) Wildebeeste Lamu – 2 Star - BB FROM Kes 7,800 Per person per night 2) Lamu Palace Hotel – 3 Star BB FROM Kes 10,500 Per person per night 3) Diamond Beach Village – 4 Star BB FROM Kes 14,500 Per person per night 4) The Majlis Resort – 5 Star BB FROM Kes 18,000 Per person per night KILIFI 1) Bofa Beach Resort - 2 Star FROM Kes 8,500 Per person per night 2) Residence Maison Muge Hotel – 3 Star FROM Kes 10,500 Per person per night 3) Silver Palm Spa & Resort – 4 Star FROM Kes 16,500 Per person per night 4) Kilifi Bay Beach Resort – 5 Star FROM Kes 17,800 Per person per night Inclusions: 1. Accommodation is per person sharing per night. 2. Meal plan is as indicated above. Exclusions: Any extra fees, meals, activities not included above in inclusions

[aghotel]

Springtime City Breaks on a Budget: Explore Affordable Easter Markets in the UK

As spring unfolds its vibrant charm across the UK, it is the perfect time to plan an enchanting city break without straining your wallet. From bustling cities to quaint coastal towns, Easter brings forth a tapestry of sights, sounds, and scents, with charming markets waiting to be explored—all within budget-friendly options.

Peterborough Cathedral Easter Market, running from March 31st to April 2nd, promises an Easter magic against the backdrop of the majestic cathedral. Discover local delights and crafts while enjoying a budget-friendly stay at The Milestone Hotel nearby.

If a coastal retreat is calling, Blackpool’s Easter Market at Bounce Play Centre, from March 30th to April 2nd, offers traditional seaside vibes. Stay affordably at The Bluewaters Hotel and indulge in handcrafted souvenirs and treats.

In London, dive into Easter joy at Greenwich and Columbia Road Flower Market, experiencing unique finds and festive vibes without breaking the bank. Relax at The Crown Hotel for an affordable stay in the heart of the action.

Manchester’s Easter Artisan Market on April 1st celebrates local craftsmanship amidst a vibrant atmosphere. Stay comfortably at the Pinewood Hotel while exploring exclusive creations and mingling with creatives.

Cheshire’s Easter Eggstravaganza offers family fun with egg hunts and crafts against a scenic backdrop. Enjoy a memorable stay at Casa Mere Hotel, where cherished memories come without overspending.

For savvy travelers, here are some budget-friendly tips: visit markets during off-peak times to avoid high prices, seek accommodation deals, opt for lodging slightly outside city centers for better rates, utilise public transportation, and pack snacks to save on dining expenses. Enjoy free entertainment at markets, from live performances to interactive activities.

Accommodation for Easter break

Experience unforgettable Easter memories with AG Hotels Group at 8 premier UK destinations. Revel in cosy lodgings, delicious cuisine, seasonal drinks, breakfast delights, and contemporary conveniences like on-site parking, accessible accommodations, as well as stylish lounge and event areas. This Spring season, embark on an affordable city getaway and explore charming Easter markets dotted throughout the UK.

Book Now: www.aghotels.co.uk Offers & Packages: www.aghotels.co.uk/offers-and-packages

[aghotel]

Egg-cellent Easter Adventures in the UK: From City Breaks to Countryside Escapes

As Easter approaches, the United Kingdom dons its festive attire, promising thrilling escapades for all. Whether you crave the hustle and bustle of city life or the serene tranquility of the countryside, there is an adventure awaiting you. Let’s explore the egg-stravagant Easter celebrations happening across various UK cities, with a special nod to hidden gems like Derby, Huddersfield, Chorley and Blackpool.

London: Easter Majesty in the Capital London sparkles with holiday cheer and unexpected delights. Dive into egg hunts amidst the lush greenery of Hyde Park or soak in the lively ambiance of Russell Square. Nestle in at our Crown Hotel for easy access to vibrant markets and verdant parks. Immerse yourself in Battersea Park’s distinctive egg hunt or revel in the traditional festivities at Kensington Palace, blending British history with Easter joy.

Manchester: Easter Joy in the Heart of the North In Manchester, Easter bursts forth with outdoor escapades and the whimsical Easter Bunny Trail at Quarry Bank. Delight in the Eggstravaganza at Lyme Park and Hare Hill, offering egg hunts and tantalizing street food. Unwind at our Pinewood Hotel in Wilmslow, ideally positioned for urban exploration and countryside meandering.

Knutsford: Easter with Countryside Charm Embrace the serenity of the countryside in Knutsford, where picturesque villages and blossoming gardens await. Join the Egg Hunt and Bunny Hop at Tatton Park and Knutsford Town Council before retreating to our nearby Casa Mere hotel, renowned for its gracious hospitality.

Blackpool: Coastline Celebrations for Easter Experience the fusion of urban vibrancy and seaside allure in Blackpool. Settle into our Bluewaters Hotel overlooking the picturesque coastline and partake in classic egg hunts in Stanley Park or peruse bustling markets along the seafront. Don’t overlook special Easter events at the iconic Blackpool Tower.

Derby: Easter Adventures in the Heart of England Discover the charm of Derby with its vibrant Easter festivities. Uncover hidden treasures with egg hunts in Markeaton Park or revel in the family-friendly activities at Darley Abbey Mills. Stay at our centrally located Peak Edge Hotel to explore Derby’s cultural delights and nearby countryside attractions.

Huddersfield: Easter Delights in West Yorkshire Huddersfield beckons with its rich heritage and Easter merriment. Embark on an egg-citing journey through Greenhead Park or immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere at Beaumont Park’s Easter extravaganza. Retreat to our elegant Cedar Court Hotel for a luxurious stay amidst Huddersfield’s scenic beauty.

Chorley: Easter Charms in Lancashire Countryside Nestled in the Lancashire countryside, Chorley offers a tranquil Easter retreat. Lose yourself in the enchanting beauty of Astley Hall and its Easter egg trail or indulge in family fun at Chorley’s Astley Park. Recharge at our nearby Shaw Hill Hotel, Golf & Country Club for a relaxing getaway surrounded by Chorley’s natural splendour.

Peterborough: Easter Calling Peterborough beckons with a blend of urban energy and rural tranquility. Kickstart your Easter adventures at The Milestone Hotel, with nearby egg hunts and an array of vibrant city centre eateries. Explore attractions like Peterborough Cathedral, hosting special Easter events to infuse the air with festive spirit.

This Easter, embark on an unforgettable journey through the UK’s diverse cities. From the grandeur of London to the quaint charm of key gateway locations in including London, Derby, Huddersfield, Manchester, Chorley, and more, each destination promises its own unique charm and cultural experiences.

Accommodation for Easter break

Secure your stay with AG Hotels Group across 8 prime UK locations and craft cherished Easter memories. Enjoy comfortable accommodations, delectable cuisine, seasonal libations, breakfast delights, and modern amenities such as on-site parking, accessible rooms, as well as lounge and function spaces.

Book Now: www.aghotels.co.uk Offers & Packages: www.aghotels.co.uk/offers-and-packages

[aghotel]

[aghotel]

Seize The Moment: AG Hotels Group’s Spring Flash Sale is Here!

As the buds bloom and the temperatures rise, it is the perfect time to embrace a new season of adventures. What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than with AG Hotels Group’s exclusive Spring Flash Sale? Get ready to be mesmerised by jaw-dropping discounts for your travel adventures across 8 locations in the UK. Don’t blink or you might miss out on this fantastic opportunity to elevate your travel experience.

SPRING FLASH SALE

Up To 30% Off On Direct Bookings Locations: London, Derby, Peterborough, Handforth, Knutsford, Huddersfield, Chorley, and Blackpool

How to book

Click on this link www.aghotels.co.uk/locations choose your location and use promo code, FLASH_SALE to book your stay. The offer is available to book until 22nd March 2024 for stays until 31st December 2024.

Indulge in Extraordinary Comfort

Why settle for ordinary when you can indulge in extraordinary? AG Hotels Group is committed to providing an unforgettable experience for its guests. Whether you are planning a weekend escape, a business trip, or a romantic getaway, AG Hotels Group caters to your every need. Each location is carefully curated to ensure a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and sophistication. Learn more: www.aghotels.co.uk

Explore the Enchanting Locations

AG Hotels Group’s Spring Flash Sale covers a range of captivating locations. Whether you are drawn to the bustling streets of London, the charming atmosphere of Derby, or the seaside beauty of Blackpool, there is a perfect destination for every traveler. Other participating locations include Peterborough, Handforth, Knutsford, Huddersfield, and Chorley – each offering a unique experience waiting to be discovered. Learn more: www.aghotels.co.uk/locations/

Don’t Blink and Miss:

With the Spring Flash Sale from AG Hotels Group, ordinary stays are transformed into extraordinary memories. Seize the opportunity to immerse yourself in luxury without breaking the bank. Book your stay today and let AG Hotels Group redefine your travel experience in 2024!

[aghotel]

Love-Filled Adventures: Valentine’s Day Activities in Handforth, Cheshire

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the day of love than with a host of romantic activities in and around Handforth, Cheshire? Whether you are an adventurous couple or prefer a more laid-back day, Handforth and its neighboring areas offer a diverse range of options for a memorable Valentine’s celebration. Here’s a guide to love-filled adventures awaiting you and your significant other.

Scenic Strolls

Kick off your Valentine’s Day with a leisurely stroll through the picturesque landscapes of Handforth. The town is dotted with charming parks and green spaces, providing the perfect backdrop for a romantic walk. Enjoy the tranquillity of nature as you explore Handforth’s hidden gems and find secluded spots to share a kiss or two.

Charming Cafés for Coffee and Conversations

Handforth boasts a selection of quaint cafés that are perfect for a cozy coffee date. Warm up with a cup of artisanal coffee or indulge in sweet treats as you engage in heartfelt conversations with your loved one. The intimate atmosphere of these cafés sets the stage for a relaxed and intimate Valentine’s Day experience.

Tranquil Romance at Tatton Park

Just a short drive from Handforth lies the majestic Tatton Park, a perfect setting for a day filled with tranquil romance. Take a leisurely stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens, hand in hand with your loved one. The park’s stunning lake and classical architecture provide a romantic backdrop for a memorable Valentine’s Day. For a truly romantic experience, consider pre-booking a horse-drawn carriage ride through the park.

Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tours

Elevate your Valentine’s Day with a wine tasting experience. Cheshire is home to several vineyards that offer tours and tastings. Sample exquisite wines, learn about the winemaking process, and savor the flavours of the region together.

Stargazing at Jodrell Bank Observatory

For a truly celestial experience, head to the Jodrell Bank Observatory located a short drive away from Handforth. Spend a romantic evening stargazing under the vast, clear skies and marvel at the wonders of the universe together.

Countryside Adventures Beyond Handforth

For couples seeking a bit more adventure, the Cheshire countryside offers a plethora of options. Take a scenic drive to explore the rolling hills and charming villages surrounding Handforth. Pack a picnic and find a peaceful spot to enjoy each other’s company amidst the beauty of the countryside.

This Valentine’s Day, escape the ordinary and embark on love-filled adventures in Handforth and beyond. Whether you prefer the tranquility of nature, the excitement of outdoor activities, or the intimacy of shared culinary experiences, this charming region has something special for every couple. Make this Valentine’s Day one to remember as you create cherished memories with your significant other in the heart of Cheshire.

Valentine’s Day Special Offers at Pinewood Hotel

In addition to our curated guide for the perfect Valentine’s Day in Handforth, Pinewood Hotel is delighted to present its exclusive Valentine’s Week Special Offers, ensuring that your romantic getaway is not only memorable but also filled with delightful experiences.

Romantic Stay – £175 for Two: Enjoy a one-night stay in Executive Double Room, complete with a Full English breakfast, chocolates, rose petals and and a bottle of Prosecco in the room. Enjoy delectable 2-course dinner curated to enhance the charm of your special day and take advantage of late check-out. Romantic Dinner – £55 for Two: Looking for a dinner date spot in Handforth? For an enchanting evening, savour a delightful 2-course dinner at Restaurant 180, accompanied by a small glass of wine for each. Afternoon Tea with Bubbly – £35 for Two: Celebrate love with a touch of tradition and elegance. Indulge in our special Valentine’s Afternoon Tea, complete with sweet and savory treats, complemented by a glass of bubbly. Validity for all offers: 9th – 18th February 2024 To ensure you don’t miss out on these exclusive offerings, make your reservations now by contacting the hotel at 01625 529 211​ or via email at sales@pinewood-hotel.co.uk