Australian Hypebeasts Going To Extreme Lengths To Secure Rare Nike Sneakers
Australian Hypebeasts Going To Extreme Lengths To Secure Rare Nike Sneakers

The Australian hypebeast is a unique consumer. While in the US ~fresh~ kicks are ingrained in the country’s NBA/Hollywood lifestyle, it’s a little more niche in Australia.

That said – the clique is growing.

Though our hypebeast community is smaller than America’s, they are equally committed to finding rare sneakers. Case in point: a recent post in the Air Jordan (Australia) Facebook group.

The group, based in Sydney, Australia, exists to help members “buy / sell / trade all kind of AIR JORDAN shoes,” and has 20.8k members.

Posted on a Sunday night at 9:47pm, the post reads as follows:

“If there’s anyone feeling kind vibes tonight and is willing to make a small profit (not a triple turnover) on their university blue cop……please message me! Looking for a 7.5 for $350.”

“Come on, do a good deed…..”

While some users said, “You’re dreaming,” and, “You’re talking to Robots they have no feelings,” another made an even bolder offer in return for the same pair of coveted kicks.

“I’ll give someone a free OF subscription for a pair x.”

Image: Screenshot by DMARGE.

Self-promotion? Joke? Serious offer?

Some users appeared to take it seriously, writing: “what size are you?” and “bruh you’re in the wrong group.”

“The subscription is like 20% of the shoe price.”

Whether or not the comment was made in jest, the user wouldn’t be the only one going to great lengths to score sneakers.

 

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As Bloomberg reports, “Sneakerheads have turned Jordans and Yeezys into a bona fide asset class.”

Though at first glance this appears an exaggerated statement, seeing how fast the Air Jordan (Australia) Facebook group is growing, one is forced to at least think twice.

At the time of writing the page’s “about” information read as follows:

  • 53 new posts today
  • 1,232 in the last month
  • 20,848 total members
  • + 287 in the last week

RELATED: How To Wear High-Top Sneakers For Every Occasion

These statistics attest to the lengths Australian Air Jordan lovers are willing to go to in order to score their grail shoe, and to the aftermarket’s growing popularity.

This incident comes in a context where Nike sneakerheads have been rumoured to have been held at knifepoint in store after shipments have been dropped, as well as sneaker resellers, The Daily Telegraph reports, scouring shops in organised groups to empty shelves of desirable models.

 

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That’s before we even get into ‘porch pirates‘ tracking DHL deliveries and swiping other people’s purchases from their doorsteps.

One Air Jordan (Australia) Facebook group member summed up the current climate well: “It’s rough out there.”

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International Travel Could Return Quicker Than You Think, Qantas Pilot Hints
International Travel Could Return Quicker Than You Think, Qantas Pilot Hints

When The Bat Kiss first smacked its lips with us we were shocked, but assumed a return to normalcy in a couple of months. That expectation was then pushed back by six months – then years.

The IATA’s “base case” scenario is as follows: “Global passenger traffic (revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) will not return to pre-COVID-19 levels until 2024.”

This had led to many planes being sent off to places like Australia’s Alice Springs and California’s Mojave desert to be stored.

All airlines have suffered from this, with DMARGE having reported on everyone from Qantas to Singapore Airlines’ aircraft being ‘mothballed’.

 

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There is also no certain date of return – something demonstrated sharply this week as first-class passengers mourned the loss of Etihad’s A380s (and their sumptuous The Residence offering) after the Abu Dhabi airline’s CEO said it was highly unlikely they would ever return to service.

The A380 has been one of the heaviest casualties, with many airlines taking steps to either kill or reduce their reliance on the double-decker aircraft (some even turning instead to single aisle jets), as A380s are only profitable on high volume, long haul routes, the likes of which, it has been generally agreed, will take a very long time to see again.

Au contraire.

Or at least: not necessarily, one Qantas pilot’s recent interview with The Australian (see: Pilots Tip A380s For Early Return) would appear to suggest.

 

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Though Qantas grounded its fleet of A380s last year (and though there has been no official word suggesting any deviation from the 2023 predicted restart date for Qantas’ A380s), as the airline industry is now increasingly kicking in its ‘new normal’ embryo, one Qantas pilot recently interviewed by The Australian has hinted the return (when it happens) could come quicker than you might think.

Could it be a deluge not a trickle?

Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) president Murray Butt told The Australian in an article published on Tuesday he thought the 2023 date was a “worst-case scenario.”

“There’s a lot of pent-up demand for international travel. Once borders do reopen, it will be interesting to see how quickly that moves,” Captain Butt told The Australian.

He doesn’t claim to know anything for sure. Clearly – no one has a crystal ball. But he raises an intriguing point – one perhaps currently being neglected.

According to Simple Flying, Qantas has 10 A380s in storage at Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, where they are “being well looked after and kept in tip-top condition.”

However, despite this, Simple Flying reports, “there’s been plenty of speculation Qantas will not bring back the A380” – something Air France’s A380 fleet’s retirement and the likely tombstoning of the Lufthansa and Etihad A380 fleets have helped feed.

On this note, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce’s previous comments on the A380 may prove instructive.

 

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In an interview with Eurocontrol, Joyce said it was “heartbreaking” to see the aircraft stored in the Mojave Desert and insisted curfews and expensive airport slots meant flying them would still make sense once the industry recovers from the pandemic.

“We do think if you look at the Qantas network, there are going to be opportunities to deploy those aircraft.”

“An A380, that’s fully or nearly fully written down, if it generates cash, will absolutely work. Airports that have slot restrictions, like Heathrow, where a slot is extremely expensive, then the aircraft works for that. And the similar scheduling windows that worked for Australia are unique.”

“So we do believe there’s a need for that fleet. And we do believe that it will generate cash. And it’s all going to be about cash when we start up international.”

Only time, vaccine rates, and ticket sales will tell.

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Hermès’ $7,000 ‘Mushroom Bag’ Points To The Future Of Veganism In Luxury
Hermès’ $7,000 ‘Mushroom Bag’ Points To The Future Of Veganism In Luxury

Leather is often a byword for luxury. Leather couches, leather handbags, leather interiors… Not only is leather comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, but it’s durable, easy to clean and versatile.

But what leather isn’t is vegan-friendly. Not only do vegans consider leather to be a clear-cut case of animal cruelty, but vegans also point out that leather production is a highly pollutive process. Another concern is that many leather alternatives that are commonly touted as ‘vegan’, such as polyurethane (PU) or polyvinylchloride (PVC) leather, are just as bad for the planet as real leathers they’re made from petrochemicals.

As veganism becomes more and more popular around the globe, luxury brands are starting to pay attention to their demands – with some debuting some rather radical solutions. The latest innovation? French luxury goods purveyor Hermès, who have just announced their first bag made with ‘mushroom leather’.

The iconic 184-year-old brand has teamed up with American start-up MycoWorks to reimagine their popular ‘Victoria’ duffle bag using Sylvania, a material made from mycelium – effectively mushroom roots. The amber, leather-like material is produced in MycoWorks’ California facility, then tanned and finished in France by the Hermès tanners to further refine its strength and durability, and finally shaped in Hermès’ workshops by their skilled artisans.

Victoria bags come in a number of sizes, of which leather examples retail for around 7,000 AUD. Hermès hasn’t said anything about the RRP for this mushroom leather variety as of yet, but we’d be surprised if it was cheaper than real leather.

For such a staid brand, it’s a surprising move. Hermès is world-famous for its bags, which are some of the most in-demand luxury goods on the planet (good luck trying to get your hands on a Birkin). If their influence can make mushroom leather something to covet, it would be a huge win for vegan leather producers and fans.

An IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Automatic 40 on a blue TimberTex strap and the Bentley EXP 100 GT concept car’s grape leather interior.

Not everyone is convinced, however: the Sylvania Victoria bag still uses elements of calfskin, so it’s not totally vegan. Commenters online have also pointed out that Hermès are currently in the process of building Australia’s largest crocodile farm in the Northern Territory, which will supply skins to make handbags and shoes – a move that’s already garnered criticism from vegans and animal welfare groups, The Guardian reports.

Still, it’s a step in the right direction – and proof positive that vegan leather can rival the real thing both functionally and aesthetically.

RELATED: ‘Vegan Investors’ Set To Bring Home The Bacon During Pandemic

Other luxury brands experimenting with vegan leathers include Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen, who recently unveiled a line of TimberTex straps, made from a low-impact, paper-based vegan leather; and British luxury car marque Bentley, who has experimented with making car interiors out of vegan grape leather (made of leftovers from the wine industry) from Italian firm Vegea.

The hope is that these vegan innovations lead by high-end brands will trickle down into the mainstream. In the meantime, we’ll have to make do with simply eating mushrooms instead of having bags made out of them. Portobello burger, anyone?

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Astonishing Chinese ‘Polar Bear Hotel’ Draws Widespread Condemnation
Astonishing Chinese ‘Polar Bear Hotel’ Draws Widespread Condemnation

If we don’t want to go to hell in a flaming plastic bag, we need to protect the planet.

Crucial to this is the conservation of animals, particularly those at risk of extinction, whether it be through poaching or from habitats being destroyed.

To that end: zoos get a mixed critical response: some believe them to be a great resource for educating people of the real-life risks animals face, as well as protecting the animals themselves, encouraging them to breed and regenerate numbers.

However, as this article from KQED points out, “not all zoos are created equal.” Sure, there are some fantastic zoos around the world that pump serious money into the safe conservation and protection of animals, but others are run on a budget and don’t give the animals the environment they need to thrive.

An argument that will likely go on for years to come.

What we’re sure we can all be on a similar page about, however, is a hotel using polar bears to entertain guests. As CNN Travel reports, the chillingly named “Polar Bear Hotel” – “part of the Harbin Polarland theme park in Heilongjiang’s capital and largest city, Harbin” – offering guests “round-the-clock polar bear viewing from all 21 guest rooms” is extraordinary, and not in a good way.

According to CNN Travel, the hotel proudly claims, “Whether you’re eating, playing or sleeping, polar bears will keep you company.”

Obviously, a hotel in China isn’t the natural home for a polar bear, and with Harbin sitting 1,440 miles south of the Arctic Circle – its native home – the bears on show certainly won’t be able to perform the regular activities, such as hunting, that they were built to do.

CNN adds, “Yang Liu, a spokeswoman for Harbin Polarland, told Reuters that the indoor area is only part of the bears’ total enclosure, and that they are let outdoors when temperature and air quality permit.”

To be fair to the hotel, the average annual temperature in Harbin a rather chilly 3.6-degrees Celsius – although admittedly a fair way off the average winter temperatures of -30 to -35-degrees Celsius of the Arctic Circle.

 

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But close-to-cold temperatures are the only thing the hotel appears to be offering its polar bear residents, with photographs showing the attempt at recreating icy and snowy conditions, is “actually a white floor and walls painted with snow and ice patterns.”

Speaking to Global Timesin response to claims the hotel doesn’t offer the bears the right living conditions, a spokesperson said it “may turn off the lights at night, and they have man-made dens to live in.” Comments were reportedly vague when questioned about whether the conditions would “affect the bears’ lives.”

Just in the same way zoos attract visitors so that they can view animals that they would otherwise be unable to see up close and personal, the Polar Bear Hotel is “fully booked through a trial period.” It has not been reported how long the trial period will last, or what will happen to the hotel once it has finished.

Conservationists have been quick to criticise the hotel, with Jason Baker, senior Vice President of PETA, telling Reuters, “Polar bears belong in the Arctic, not in zoos or glass boxes in aquariums, and certainly not in hotels.”

“Polar bears are active for up to 18 hours a day in nature, roaming home ranges that can span thousands of miles, where they enjoy a real life.”

Zheng Yu, an expert from World Animal Protection, told Global Times, “By using polar bears as a commercial gimmick, hotels are not only causing harm and suffering to the animals, but also increasing the risk of personal injury to tourists. It is also seriously misleading the public about the scientific knowledge of wildlife protection.”

Some Chinese social media users have also been critical of the hotel. As The South China Morning Post reported, one commenter wrote: “Looking at a polar bear slowly having a mental breakdown up close? Such a small place, with so much lighting and so many windows. You should first try putting humans in.”

Harbin Polarland, of which this hotel is a part of and which calls itself “the world’s first polar performing arts amusement park”, opened in 2005 and has other polar-themed attractions such as “Antarctic Penguin Island”, a Beluga whale show, sea lions and sharks.

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‘Unfairly Maligned’ Bondi Trend The Rest Of Australia Can Learn From
‘Unfairly Maligned’ Bondi Trend The Rest Of Australia Can Learn From

In the previous century you would have been more likely to see surfers belting each other on the beach, or junkies shooting up in an alley, than activewear-clad city-workers meditating in the 7am sun in Bondi.

But the days of ultra-violence and 50 cent bread rolls are no more.

Thanks to gentrification and Instagram, Bondi is now full of backpackers, students and personal trainers.

There are some obvious pitfalls to this, which are trotted out by Australia’s tabloids on a semi-regular basis (the idea being that pompous poppies need cutting).

RELATED: Psychologist Explains The Mindset Of Living In Bondi

There are also some upsides to the actions of individuals who fancy themselves ahead of the curve though. Enter: the following photo.

Image: DMARGE.

The above image, taken by DMARGE at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, shows three men sitting calmly on the wall at south Bondi, with their eyes closed. Others can be seen in similar poses (as well as stretching) nearby.

Two of the men appeared to be together, while the third left separately at the end of the meditation session. This is not the first time Bondi’s ‘meditation mile’ has been caught on film. Photographer Amaury Treguer posted some eye-catching images to Instagram last November, which can be seen below (third photo in the series).

 

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Despite from being the most Bondi thing since $9 iced long blacks, this photo should be praised. Though the cynics might jot it down to being yet more evidence Eastern Suburbs residents love peacocking, we’d argue it’s evidence that people are becoming less sensitive to the stigma that unfortunately comes with actively looking after your mental health.

RELATED: ‘You’ve Got To Be Joking’: Yuppie Coffee Order Leaves Byron Bay Barista Stunned

In fact, we’d say, thanks to Instagram’s Jealousy Industrial Complex, ~wellness~ has become one of the most unfairly maligned concepts this side of the century.

But the truth is, ~mindfulness~, when taught by genuine individuals, is a goldmine for your mental health. So it’s a shame crap perceptions of it are running rampant (we can probably blame the adjacent detox tea industry for that).

 

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As mental health professionals keep telling us: putting our stiff upper lip attitudes (and egos) aside every now and then could free us from a world of pain.

Fortunately, it seems more and more Australians are realising this. Surfing legend Tom Carroll, for instance, who lives on the Northern Beaches (Sydney’s ‘other’ Eastern Suburbs) has amassed a fairly sizeable following with his live guided meditation sessions – and Instagram users are quick to sing their praises (“everyone should try this”).

 

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A post shared by Tom Carroll (@thomasvictorcarroll)

Luke McLeod – a mindfulness meditation teacher and the founder of Soul Alive, Australia first dedicated live-streaming meditation platform – told DMARGE that, done right, meditation can be hugely beneficial for your mental health.

“I’m sure most have heard of the numerous benefits of meditation (reduced stress levels, better sleep, greater focus)… All of which are true and have been proven through clinical studies.”

“But what most people don’t know is that if you head into meditation with the goal of it solving one of these problems, you will most likely be disappointed or become frustrated with it. The reason being is because meditation achieves its goals through letting go. Stepping back. A releasing of the expectations.”

“Therefore, instead of talking about the benefits, I prefer to recommend that people just enjoy the process and experience itself. By approaching meditation in this almost ‘carefree’ manner, it is then able to, paradoxically, deliver on all those common benefits associated with it.”

RELATED: The Mental Health Strategy Successful People Use You Don’t

McLeod also told DMARGE meditation is “definitely a growing movement, particularly in the West.” McLeod said the market value of the meditation industry is poised to double from $1.2 billion in 2017 to nearly $2 billion by 2022, and that he “would like to think this is because people are becoming more curious about the mind and consciousness.”

“However, the real reason is due to the increasing levels of depression and anxiety people are experiencing and if we continue to face further natural and viral disasters, like COVID-19, then I only see this increasing even further.”

It’s not all doom and gloom, however. “I know this all sounds quite negative,” McLeod added, “but there is a silver lining which is the fact that more people are giving meditation a go and that can lead to some real, deep positive changes in them.”

Thought for thought…

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NBA Star Kyle Kuzma Proves A Good Suit Is All A Man Needs
NBA Star Kyle Kuzma Proves A Good Suit Is All A Man Needs

In just a few short years, the National Basketball Association went from being one of the worst-dressed professional sports leagues in America to one of the best – mostly due to one strange law.

In 2006, the NBA ruled that players (and coaches too) must dress in business or conservative attire while arriving and departing a scheduled game, on the bench while injured, or when conducting official NBA business. Initially, this led to a bunch of really tall men wearing really poorly-fitting suits, but these days, NBA players rock all sorts of slick tailoring.

Recent years has seen the NBA take a more relaxed approach to off-court attire (particularly during 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 crisis), allowing some players to get real creative – like Kyle Kuzma proved yesterday. The 25-year-old Los Angeles Lakers power forward stepped out ahead of his team’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves wearing a Grayscale suit… Sans shirt.

It’s an inspired look that we can’t help but feel only someone as fit (and creatively tattooed) as Kuzma could pull off. We just wonder what the NBA bigwigs think…

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Grayscale is a LA-based luxury fashion label that seems to be a favourite of many NBA players, as well as other celebrities. Lady Gaga, actor Jay Ellis, rapper Jack Harlow and LA Clippers shooting guard Lou Williams are just some of the names spotted wearing the brand. Kuzma himself seems to be one of their biggest fans, having been spotted wearing their suits and shirts on multiple occasions.

Or, as it were, their suits and no shirt…

RELATED: NBA Star Kyle Kuzma Adds Fuel To 2020’s Biggest Men’s Fashion Trend With ‘Russian’ Headwear

Kuzma wrapped up the fit with a pair of Gucci ‘Screener’ sneakers and a face mask from Henry Masks, a mask subscription service that donates a mask to frontline workers and families in need for every mask they sell. Good stuff.

The Lakers beat the Timberwolves 137-121, continuing a three-game winning streak after successes against the Golden State Warriors and the Indiana Pacers. Their next game will be against the Charlotte Hornets at the Staples Centre in LA, with most betting sites putting the odds in the Lakers’ favour.

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Controversial New Images Show How Saudi Arabia Hopes To Recover After The Pandemic
Controversial New Images Show How Saudi Arabia Hopes To Recover After The Pandemic

Saudi Arabia is known for its desert, mountains, reefs, oases, backstreets and markets. What it’s not known for its stellar human rights record (or tourism).

But in recent years it has been making an attempt to shift its image. Though the cynics might call it the ultimate experiment in PR fluff (throw an Instagram influencer in the desert and the crowds will follow), looking at it another way, it could just be that people are curious to see Saudi Arabia because of its controversies, not just in spite of them.

World Bank data shows, though international tourism arrivals dropped off from 2014 to 2018, they jumped back up again from 17 million in 2018 to 20 million in 2019 (the year they started issuing tourist visas for the first time).

 

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As Alarabiya News reports, Saudi Arabia has been working towards revamping its tourism and entertainment sectors by promoting its coastline and UNESCO-recognized heritage sites.

Speaking of world heritage sites, AlUla, “an open-air museum the size of a country” has recently burst across the eyeballs of many social media users after a recent Instagram post by Complex (originally taken by Instagram user @tmmnatk909).

 

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Comments underneath the post showed surprise and admiration among users (Lebron James chimed in to say: “BEAUTIFUL”).

“My lord the perfect place to smoke a Bleezy does exist.”

“Tatooine.”

There was also a healthy dose of scepticism. “Pre-Hell be like…” one user wrote. “Imagine being there and u can’t order a drink,” said another.

It’s great, “until a sand storm comes” yet another Instagram follower remarked.

“Lil gust of wind n it’s a wrap.”

Though it is unclear exactly which part of AlUla this video is taken at, it is clear that the location is part of Saudi Arabia’s latest tourism push.

 

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Popular Instagram images under the AlUla geotag show travel bloggers like @parisverra dancing in the sun in AlUla.

Other images of this ilk, from influencers seen to be promoting Saudi Arabia in 2019, sparked huge controversy online when they were published.

RELATED: Influencer’s ‘Insensitive’ Saudi Arabia Photoshoot Sparks Age Old Debate

At about 8,710 square miles – bigger than Slovenia – AlUla, which is the area in the remote upper pocket of northwest Saudi Arabia, “was from 900 B.C.E. to 106 C.E. a bustling outpost criss-crossed by caravans carrying spices, incense, beads, and ceramics along the trade routes from Arabia to Jordan and the Mediterranean,” AFAR reports.

“The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), formed in 2017, only opened AlUla to visitors full time in phases in October 2020 after undertaking a ‘sensitive renewal’ of the region. AlUla is a key component of Saudi Arabia’s broader Saudi Vision 2030, which looks to reduce the country’s dependence on oil and fortify its recreation and tourism offerings.”

From tombs to ancient libraries, the region has a lot to see.

Travel Daily News reports that AlUla Old Town “has welcomed its first visitors back after a three year hiatus for extensive restoration and conservation in sections of the town’s tightly packed stone and mudbrick buildings.”

“The site, one of four significant heritage sites in AlUla, the home of ancient Kingdoms, is now officially open as a year round tourism precinct and will offer four new eateries, a suq, entertainment and a handicraft pavilion when works are completed.”

More to the point of the Complex video, Arab News reports that “the natural wonders of AlUla are providing the backdrop for a range of rejuvenating and spiritual outdoor activities and experiences.”

“The heritage site has been picked as the perfect spot to stage a series of wellness events throughout March.”

“The destination’s majestic atmosphere allows participants to relax while enjoying group activities amid the peaceful natural surroundings of AlUla.”

“One of the highlighted wellness activities this winter will see visitors take mountain walks and learn about the area, while experiencing the elements and then unwinding to musical performances in a spacious tent beside Camel Rock.”

AlUla isn’t the only place being marketed to tourists. According to Alarabiya News, “The Red Sea Project is also a much-anticipated tourist destination being developed in the Kingdom, where the ultra-luxurious and sustainable development is set to host resorts on 50 islands off the coast of the Red Sea.”

“It will also be accessible by 80 percent of the world’s population in less than eight hours.”

“A mega-theme park is also being developed, known as Qiddiyah, an hour’s drive from Riyadh. It expects to attract 1.5 million visitors each year when the first phase opens in 2022.”

As for whether it’s safe to visit, the BBC reported the following in 2019: “This is not the first time Saudi Arabia has made a major push to attract tourists. The last time was in 2000, when it hired French alpine instructors from Chamonix to take holidaying Saudis rock-climbing and paragliding.”

“But grand plans to expand this fledgling industry ground to a halt the following year after the 9/11 terror attacks in the US which were carried out by, among others, 15 Saudi nationals.”

“Since then the country has fought and defeated an insurgency by al-Qaeda in the mid-2000s and is currently trying to extricate itself from a war in neighbouring Yemen that has seen cross-border missile strikes.”

“Despite that, the country is largely safe with minimal crime and violence (though if you’re a British citizen it is always best to check the Foreign Office travel advisory).”

Likewise, we would recommend any aspiring visitor to check with their home country’s Foreign Office before hitting purchase on their flight tickets.

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‘Halycon Days’: Australians Revel In Rare Domestic Travel Opportunity
‘Halycon Days’: Australians Revel In Rare Domestic Travel Opportunity

We’re a nation of globe-trotting, last-minute flight booking, thong-wearing, beer-swilling, incorrigible travellers, stereotype would have it.

Leaving aside whether we all really live up to that Golden Standard, what’s certainly true is that our horizons have been drastically shortened this last twelve months.

Rather than Ibiza, Mykonos, Barcelona, and The Amalfi Coast (challenge us to a cliché off – I dare you), Australians have been enjoying all sorts of alternatives to their dream destinations.

RELATED: The Stunning ‘Maldives Alternative’ Few Tourists Know About

Though this started off as a trickle, with car conversions gradually popping off and Airbnb bookings gently massaging themselves back to life, over the last few months we’ve seen the van life movement explode in a mess of photogenic fear and loathing and scintillating domestic flight offers enticing Australians back into the skies.

Relatively reliable border openings have helped too.

The upshot? We are more willing to explore our home country than perhaps ever before. And with international tourism bookings in a steady zero holding pattern, we have more reason to travel domestically than ever before.

 

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Providing it’s done responsibly, tourism operators need our help more than ever. Fortunately, in that regard, Australians appear to be responding to the challenge.

In a recent survey conducted by KPMG, 61 percent of Australian respondents said they were planning on booking a holiday between January and June 2021 and 72 percent said they would book a holiday between July and December 2021.

In the same vein, Jetstar is predicting domestic bookings in 2021 to exceed pre-COVID levels “as travel demand for low fares travel rises.”

 

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As DMARGE reported this morning, this comes with its challenges (see: Iconic Australian Destination Closed After Disrespectful Tourist Behaviour). On a more positive note, however, it also comes with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy flexible flight booking.

As DMARGE correspondent recently discovered, after booking a Qantas flight to Melbourne (and then, due to illness, being forced to postpone it), we are currently sitting in a golden zone where airlines are still offering incredible deals to entice people back into the air, but in which not enough people are travelling (yet) for those deals to become obsolete, uneconomical, and swept off the table.

Image: DMARGE. Qantas flight credit details.

Last week there were $200 one-way flights being slung to Melbourne (and $99 flights being slung to Adelaide), with a generous flexibility program meaning even if you ended up not being able to travel when you planned, you could make use of your ticket another time via a flight credit system.

This is enabling Australian domestic travellers to be more whimsical than ever before (note: we say this not to recommend everyone abuse this feature – a drain on the airline – but to make the point there’s never been a better and more flexible time to fly than right now).

Cabins are also still nicely uncrowded (when compared to normal times) too. Oh and the $200 Sydney to Melbourne fares were, last week, on offer even during peak times like Friday and Monday.

Qantas flight booking screen. Image: DMARGE.

“I started feeling unwell on Thursday,” the aforementioned DMARGE source, told us of the credit system. “So cancelled and rebooked two more times over this weekend without it costing a single cent. I was cancelling a few hours out when I woke up.”

“I eventually admited defeat and didn’t fly just to be on the safe side but rescheduled for following weekend.”

However, even since our correspondent told us this (last week) fares are starting to go up. Generally, now, there are less $200 fares and more $250-$300 fares. Perhaps the golden period is ebbing fast.

Our take? These are the Halcyon days of domestic travel. Get in while you still can.

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Bathroom Accessory Essentials For The Modern Man's Sanctuary
Bathroom Accessory Essentials For The Modern Man's Sanctuary

Often over-looked, the loyal bathroom supports you throughout your busy day and night routines. If your bathroom is resembling more of a public toilet than a 5-Star hotel ensuite, allow us to guide you in transforming your bathroom so it can support you, your gym socks and even that sexy little thing you intend to bring home.

Quality Towels

You’re a king, so you deserve towels that are fit for that role too. Invest in a large supply of good quality and varied sized towels: big ones for your body and smaller ones for your hands and face.

Whether you’re into white, pattern or waffle, Citta Design has everything you need.

Shop Towels @ Parachute Home Shop Towels @ Brooklinen

A Quality Bath Robe

A bathrobe also won’t go astray, as much as Brad Pitt pulls off that fluffy purple teacup robe in Fight Club, we suggest you go for something a little more refined, like any of the robes over at Hugo Boss.

To up your towel and luxury game, throw in a heated towel rack, we can promise you won’t regret it.

Shop Men’s Robes

Candles

Shall we face it? You’re never going to smell any better. In fact just like a good cheese, you’re probably only going to get smellier with age. Lucky for you, we have a few tricks to mask and even reduce the smells that are going on in and around your throne.

Malin + Goetz earth-friendly candles feature a blend of beeswax, vegetable and soy waxes, resulting in a cleaner and better burn. We particularly love their smooth Dark Rum and Cannabis selections.

Shop Candles

RELATED: The Best Candles For Men To Buy Right Now

Plants

Hit up your local florist and get yourself an indoor plant that doesn’t just look good, but also helps to eliminate odours. Through the process of photosynthesis, there is a range of suitable plants that will purify the air (thank you, Mother Nature). Look for Aloe Vera, Areca Palm, Bamboo, a Cactus variety or a Boston Fern.

Shop Indoor Plants

A Laundry Basket

Again, we don’t want to harp on about the smelly thing, but to avoid your clothes rotting on the bathroom floor, investing in a laundry basket with a lid is not a bad idea. These fine-weave rattan baskets from Satara will add a luxe resort feel to your washroom.

Shop Laundry Baskets

Bath Mat

Not only are slatted timber bath mats anti-bacterial, but they will also save you from having to regularly wash a typical towel floor mat. The ‘Hinoki’ is a Japanese designed mat that even has a natural lemon infused aroma for ultimate relaxation.

Shop Bath Mats @ Brooklinen

A Bathroom Kit

Be prepared for those unexpected or planned over-night guests. Be sure to stock up on a few essentials: spare toothbrush, hair wash and a quality cleanser and moisturizer will get them cheering.

Shop Bathroom Sets

A Stainless Steel Bin

Do. Not. Forget. This. A bin in the bathroom is a complete necessity. There is nothing more frustrating that using a restroom without any kind of disposal system, the last thing you want is to be calling the plumber over a range of clogged and mysterious items that have been flushed down the toilet.

Shop Bin @ AMAZON

A Minimal Bathroom Tray

Finally! Here’s a good to buy products based solely on their packaging. Frame up a curated range of your best luxuries on a marble tray or platter, keeping in mind that often less is more here. Displaying these items as such will deter your bathroom counter from looking cluttered and unorganized, instead it will be projected into the upper tiers of bathroom sophistication.

Shop Bathroom Trays

A Stool Or Side Table

Particularly if you have a lack of countertop space or an extra large bathroom, incorporate a Stool or Side Table into your bathroom setting. Whether you choose to use it as a place to perch your bottom or prop your towel on, this piece of furniture can do wonders for both the style, convenience and functionality of your bathroom.

And before we’re over and out, we have one more tip, for bathroom essentials don’t forget to get those scrubbing gloves on every now and then!

Bathroom Accessory Essentials FAQ

What are the best bath towels?

Towel shopping should be based on your personal preference, but if you want a super soft, ultra-absorbent towel, look for 100% cotton. A cotton-poly blend is also a good option if you prefer quick-drying and more durability.

What candle scent is best for stress-relief?

Aromatherapy is a good way to help you unwind. Linen scents are calming, as well as vanilla and lavender. If you want a strong scent, go for eucalyptus or spearmint.

How to choose plants for your bathroom?

Not all plants are well suited for the conditions found in your bathroom. Succulents will rot if kept constantly moist, while evergreens may develop powdery mildew in high humidity.

The post Bathroom Accessory Essentials For The Modern Man's Sanctuary appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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