A Spiritual Experience at the Freeflow Fire & Arts Festival, Koh rong - Cambodia

Held on a tiny secluded island, Freeflow Fire & Arts festival 2016 put on its first ever festival on Koh Rong island, Cambodia and I was extremely lucky to have been passing through as it was taking place. Blessed with magic, natural beauty and free-spirited culture, it's no wonder why the organisers decided to throw a festival on this island. Koh Rong has definitely been the most breathtaking place I've ever been to, thanks to its white sands, sparkling sea and remoteness. It's been one of the least touristy destinations so far. No roads, no annoying people trying to sell you things you would never wear and just a handful of hostels. Once you settle in, it's not long until you find out that the electricity cuts out numerous times a day, there are nothing but freezing cold showers and ATM's are non existent. But this all adds to the beautiful, 'live in the present' package of Koh Rong. The island boasts an abundance of Khmer rawness as cows, chickens and dogs roam freely on the beach, village children playfully run around your legs and locals welcome you into their homes. By the end of the week I felt part of the island family.

Freeflow Fire & Arts festival wasn't your typical music extravaganza filled with punters partying all day and night. It had a real chilled, laid back and spiritual essence to it, celebrating many kinds of weird and wonderful arts. The organisers left attendees spoilt for choice holding a great combination of workshops in circus tricks, fire dancing, meditation, yoga, massage, hula-hooping, juggling, dream-catcher creating, body painting, sand castle crafting, tie die making and even laughter workshops! 

The after hours brought the beaches to life as the sparkling stars hung ahead, so clear that it was almost surreal to gaze at! DJ's entertained a mass crowd, kind gypsies provided us with free glitter face paint, and mind-bending, psychedelic installations lit up the sands. The DJ's were a rare treat for locations like Asia - they span esoteric tracks from the deep and sombre Song With Blue by Roman Flugel, to Sevmek Istiyorum's Turkish-infused House track MMT. 

A free, small-scale festival held on the most incredibly, enchanting island was my idea of pure paradise. The islands cultural charm won me over, however it's obvious that Koh Rong is becoming less elusive and turning into a number one spot for tourists. It seems to be attracting more and more attention and the mystique of the island may stretch a little thin quite soon. Overhearing a traveller say to his mate that "as soon as an ATM arrives, I'm fucking out of here", suggests that the island will soon be discovered by the big money-makers of Cambodia. So if you happen to be in Cambodia, make sure to catch a short boat ride to this earthly utopia...before it's too late. 

Tania x

Overheard Presents Warehouse Party in Pai, Thailand

                                       

  

Judging from my previous posts, Thailand has been quite the place to be if you're a music fan and last night was no exception. Hearing the speakers blast out Want You In My Soul by Lovebirds ft. Stee Downes (an all-time fave of mine) amidst the exotic and tropical hills of Northern Thailand made me feel oh so gooooooood!! This special moment was at Overheard's warehouse themed party in Thailand's picture-perfect land of Pai. 

I've loved every minute being in this cute, little town as there's heaps to do. From visiting surreal waterfalls, hot springs, giant Buddhas and motorbiking to viewpoints high above the clouds; Pai may be one of my favourite places in Thailand so far. There's also a vibrant, hippie art and music scene, that made Pai just that little bit more special to me. 

     

     

As soon as I saw a flyer for the party hanging at my hostel I thought it would be rude not to attend - a warehouse party in Pai just sounded awesome and a lil bit rebellious! It was the talk of the town - every traveller gossiped excitedly about an 'illegal' rave set on the hills of Pai. However soon enough we realised we had become victims of false advertising as we walked into the party realising that it was a warehouse THEMED party and not an actual rave in a warehouse. But that didn't bother me at all, it's the music and atmospheres at parties that really hold my attention. 

                                     

   

It was cool what they did with the place - using metal gates for the entrance doors, different level floors for party-goers to oversee their fellow ravers and some comfy, worn in couches for those that just wanted to unwind. Adding these little parts to the party injected an authentic warehouse feel and the whole crowd embraced the effort the organisers had put into the venue. The place was heaving with westerners and locals alike all facing the DJ booth and rocking out to the funky, uplifting sounds gracefully being spun by the resident DJ's. Feeding off the audiences infectious joy, the two DJ's enthusiastically dug out more and more gems for us music heads to groove to.

As the party drew to a close, spirits in the venue sky-rocketed as the DJ's scrapped the deep, techno slammers and turned the notch down smoothly by playing blissful House classics. Bouncing and singing along to the finale song (Want You In My Soul), I left the venue with a massive, satisfactory grin on my face. Considering that this was the first ever House music party thrown in Pai, the music and vibe was a great success. Although we were all a tiny bit misled by it being a warehouse party, the night's atmosphere quickly made us all forget about it. Both resident DJ's had the majority up on the d.floor all night and I left the party with happy ear drums. Yipeeeee!

      

Tania x

Lantern festival celebrations in Chiang Mai, Thailand

                                

   

My travel gang and I were lucky enough to reach Chiang Mai just in time for some festival fun at Loy Krathong, (an annual Buddhist celebration of the water goddess at Thailand's Lantern Festival). After being in the crazy capital (Bangkok) for two days, I was ready to explore further north of Thailand and especially with the lantern festival approaching, it was the perfect time to get to Chiang Mai. I've loved it here so far, it's like a hip version of Bangkok with less crowds and the mad hustle and bustle. 
Every full moon in November, locals and tourists alike get together and take on a spiritual cleanse to clear out all of their bad luck, whilst sending the adored Buddha their love. However in recent times it's just become a bit of fun for any tourists passing through Chiang Mai and since we were, I definitely had to get involved! 

                                         

       

 
We grabbed our Krathongs (made from banana leaves, lotus flowers, candles and incense), made a wish and sent our floating rafts flaming down the Mae Ping river; this carries away the owners bad luck and insures a refreshing start in life. Fully immersing ourselves along with the locals in their cultural celebration, we then bought lanterns and set them free along with a sea of others. Looking up at the night sky was truly magical (and a lil bit emotional) with thousands of drifting lanterns and glowing fireworks taking over the atmosphere.

                                               

                                              

                             

   

After releasing our lanterns, participating in a street party with the Thai locals and eating the best street food in the world, the evening drew to a close and we started to head back to our hostel...until we met some friendly Americans that kindly invited us along with them to Mojo Bar. The night was still young, so we chanced it and joined them. As we walked closer to the venue I could hear drum and bass blasting through the windows and was immediately bursting to get in. The room was dimly lit, with one DJ and another musician simultaneously rocking out to his sax and would then occasionally alternate to his electric guitar. It was so surreal walking in to that, I didn't think I would have been able to find anything packaged with a heavy-weighted bass-line in Chiang Mai - I had just been spending my evenings in chilled, live jazz bars. However out of pure fate, here I was, thrown into a club playing beastly drum and bass, where I could fully let myself go once again. 

I just couldn't resist diving right in, as the DJ blew the place apart, dropping old school classics such as Shy FX's Feelings and an upbeat remixed pounder of The Fugees Ooh La La La. The atmosphere was fantastic, with travellers from all around the world skanking hard in unison. The club wasn't packed at all, which made us revellers take full advantage of the empty space. As one of the lovely Americans walked past me, I stopped and thanked her for randomly inviting me to join them. It's always great to stumble across hidden gems like these in foreign places! 

After the early start at the festival and prancing around the club for a mighty long time, we decided to call it a night when the DJ dropped Tidal Wave by Sub Focus. Pretty shocking last song to end the night with, but nonetheless I was grateful for an evening with electronic music in South East Asia. Mojo Bar was a unique night - so intimate with just one DJ and musician playing live over drum and bass. 

Chiang Mai has been a wicked place for music and if drum and bass isn't really your thing, then this city has other music styles on offer, especially an incredible Jazz scene. If you ever happen to visit Chiang Mai, make sure to check out The North Gate for some live Jazz played by a bunch of very gifted Thai musicians and of course Mojo Bar every Wednesday for your weekly dose of Drum and Bass. Looks like Chiang Mai City really knows how to party!

     

  

       Tania x 

Guys Bar - Injecting Psychedelic Fun to Koh Phangan, Thailand

After living it up in Dubai for a week, my travelling journey started to really begin when I arrived in Thailand. Since then I've ventured out exploring the stunning Koh islands which are located on the southern part of the country. Each scenic island has been charming in their own ways and this place is pure paradise! However I'm not here to bore you with a classic description of how great the islands are, I'm sure you know about Thailand and all its beauty. Instead, I'm here to tell you about the best little party I discovered in Koh Phangan...

Throughout the past few days, I've been staying at The Sanctuary, a yoga, healing and detox resort based deep in the jungle on Haad Tien Bay. Tucked away far from all the main avenues on the busy infamous Full Moon party beach, Haad Tien bay is the perfect little island getaway and can only be accessed by a 10 minute long tail boat ride from Had Rin Bay. Once you are sucked into the tropical jungle scenery it's hard to leave this peaceful bubble at the sanctuary; where yoga lovers and peace seekers enjoy the atmosphere of like-mindedness, health, wealth and all-round happiness. 

In the midst of my yoga and meditation sessions and relaxing hammock days, I felt the need to let myself go at Guys Bar (a party commencing every Friday night with decent music - FINALLY!) As Guys Bar was situated a 5 minute walk from my bungalow I thought it would have been rude not to attend. Guys Bar has been labelled as the best party in Koh Phangan - for those House music lovers that have had enough of trashy remixed chart hits, overly drunk travellers and not forgetting those deadly alcohol-fuelled buckets. Underground and little known by the mainstream, I really felt at home as soon as I walked into the party.

DJ's spun out revellers into a magical trip of psychedelic trance, House and Electro until the sunny morning with the party ending at 10am. The party was mostly filled by The Sanctuary guests and yogi's, together dancing all in their own cosmic worlds. Those that were tired from their days full of yoga, simply sat on cushioned sofas and observed the hippies of all ages being taken on a hypnotic journey. The place was intimate, with about 150 guests making the party come alive. The music had been the best I've heard in Thailand, with unknown beats embracing each party-goer, carrying them away into a jungle land fantasy. 

The groove had me totally captivated and I'm so glad to have found a rave in Thailand away from the stereotypical, full moon party. After a couple of weeks with no decent music, I needed my Techno fix and I finally found it at Guy's Bar! 

Tania x

Kollektiv Turmstrasse headline Eden Beach club in Dubai

                            

Before my Asian adventure officially begins, I've stopped off to stay with my sister in Dubai and explore what the glittering city has to offer. That of course includes the night-life scene, so on Friday my sister took me to Eden beach club where Kollektiv Turmstrasse, Karmon and Thyladomid were invited to play a musical feast of all things House and Techno. 

                            

Set in a beach club, the music started in the daytime where the tunes, weather and vibes were set to be scorching. When we arrived, the party was pretty chilled with guests floating on funky inflatables, sun bathing or simply chatting along with friends over a glass of wine. The beach was sophisticatedly decorated with its crowd closely replicating the scenery. As the sky shifted into a stunning ombré hue of blue and orange, party-goers jumped out of the pool and rushed into their night-life gear, whilst Eden promoters handed out glow in the dark face paints, glasses and glow sticks for the real party to take place...

                                 

German producer and DJ, Thyladomid greeted the strong, ever-lasting crowd by feeding the heady night with snippets of fist-pumping rhythms, whilst teasing in fun vocals, retaining a lively quality to the evening. Next up the headliners of the night - Kollektiv Turmstrasse - commenced as the floor notably began to fill up with fans of the duo. Under an explosion of trippy lasers, they weaved melodic tunes with subtle bass-lines encouraging a rave twist to such a cosmopolitan gathering. The duo then familiarised us all with a floor-filler remix of The Temper Trap's Sweet Disposition - a blissed-out and contrasting moment to the pairs futuristic techno set. 

                         

     

Having never heard of the artists playing at Eden and not knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised with the music. However the night was a little too pretentious for my liking - most of Eden is filled with extremely over-priced tables, with only a tiny dance floor for those that can't afford a table to dance on. The beach club looked great, however I felt the 'glow in the dark' theme seemed a little too childlike; they could have done with just using their visionary decor and laser lights. But nonetheless the night was great, I couldn't complain with such fantastic music and picturesque settings. Those of you that are visiting Eden, I would highly recommend getting there early doors and spend the day at the beach, pool and restaurant before starting with the party antics! Eden have stellar line ups coming up this month with the Apollonia crew, Nina Kraviz, Ame and more! If you happen to be in Dubai this month, these parties are not to be missed! 

                             

                          

                             

                             

      

                                                                 Tania x

Off to South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand...

As festival season comes to a close the weather gets colder and ravers solemnly pack their fancy dress costumes, disco sticks and glitter away ready for winter. Indeed, the festival blues have officially begun. I, however am not quite ready to give up summer just yet as I will be backpacking around South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand for 6 months, starting this week. I am incredibly excited for the adventures yet to come, but also nervous as to what this next chapter in my life will bring me!

I'm going to try my VERY best to discover some hidden gems (raves, parties and events) as I embark on my travels. And of course, I will write about my experiences.

Look forward to posting again soon :)

Tania x

Dimensions festival...the perfect end to an amazing festival season!

Taking LOVE to another Dimension with Love Specs <3

In the run-up to Dimensions festival I could barely contain my excitement. As I looked back at last year's shenanigans, I pictured beautiful festival-goers dancing on the beach under the Croatian sun with live music creating rhythmical rainbows. The place is highly addictive (this year being my third time lucky) and it's the perfect place to end a festival-filled summer...

Dimensions festival takes place in Pula, Croatia in a location unlike any other. Set in a 19th century abandoned fort, the festival leads passages to diverse spaces, harmonious mazes and untouched grounds. With it being my third visit to Fort Punto Christo, I was still taken back by the unique location setting open to us revellers.

The days are spent swimming, dancing at the beach parties or simply laying on the beautiful, secluded stretch of beach listening to music from artists such as Jeremy Underground, Romare and Mo Kolours. Every evening the setting sun paints the horizon sky in swirls of red and orange - awe energizing sunsets that moved me everyday...a place of pure paradise. When evening arises, the real music begins; shacking out to bass-heavy music in Mungo's Arena, spending crazy hours at The Void or completely losing myself in The Moat...

The festival starts on the Wednesday with an opening ceremony located at a 2000 year old Roman Amphitheatre in collaboration with Boiler Room. This year's live performances were from two of the UK's most talented producers - Four Tet and Floating Points, as well as dreamy Swedish band, Little Dragon. Seeing both Four Tet and Floating Points with a live band for the first time was pretty breathtaking to say the least. The Colosseum venue added to the dramatic, powerful music and as I looked around, every audience member stood in synchronised amazement.

Stepping onto the main festival site the next day, we were breath taken by the fort itself. The majestic installations against the abandoned walls were an impressive view; as you wind your way up the site, kaleidoscopic lightings lace through the castle whilst banging techno pumps from all directions. The Clearing is the first stage that revellers come across, where we heard live music from the likes of Moodymann and Paranoid London. Paranoid London delivered a crazy start to Friday evening with a vigorous set, mixing their distinctive sound with a vintage acid house punch. Friday night ended seeing Bicep playing their salsa-esque, upbeat edit of Dominica's Gotta Let You Go then ending with their tense, yet emotive track Just that set ravers off into a mesmeric trance. Another memorable set was from the Berlin, techno head DJ Rodhad at the Void. As his set came to a close, Rodhad grinned as he dropped Jaguar by DJ Rolando, a timeless masterpiece dance track that blew me away...and this was only the start of Dimensions.

Saturday consisted of seeing Floating Points at The Void, followed by Hunee back to back with Antal in the legendary Moat. The Moat is my favourite area of the festival. It's located in a shadowy, long, high-walled space where the vibe is incredibly fierce. The mix of the dark, smokey lights makes it intense and you can just about see people's dancing silhouettes. However Hunee B2B with Antal shifted the fiery vibe of the Moat by playing exotic, Disco tracks such as Madan by Martin Solveig vs. Salif Keita. A fun and laid-back way to end our Saturday night!

By the time Sunday rolled around, we were still not ready for the music to stop. We opted to start our last evening in the best way possible...at the Bodytonic boat party! DJ's performed a musical soup of Disco, House, Techno and Electro as the sun gradually set. When we were back on firm ground and feeling rather jolly we headed straight towards The Clearing to see Moodymann, then bopped onto Seven Davis Jr playing a live set at Mungo's Arena. Seven Davis Jr kept things uplifted before it was time to enter The Moat once again for Ben Klock. Picking Ben Klock for the finale set of the whole festival was a no-brainer; Klock span raw Techno tracks till the break of dawn, finishing Dimensions on a massive high. As he dropped the last track (Freak Like Me by DJ Deeon) the crowd exploded into a state of dance mania, as individuals frequently looked across to their pals as if to say "what is this banger!?" Indeed, the song of the summer had finally been established.

Dimensions offers an incredible week of music, with a lovely crowd from across the globe sharing a love of underground sounds. This festival made me feel like I was living in a self-contained bubble, living in a world with beautiful people, settings and sounds. Even though this was my third time attending this fantastic festival, I still feel like I have unfinished business with it. Dimensions, the countdown for next year begins and I will be waiting with open arms for your return!

Tania x