What type of cultures do you find exotic?
Nooor: We love the Indian culture because it is so mystic and
full of life. In fact, my best friend is from Kerala but lives in
Mumbai. I love buying the Indian sari and chill out at their
open-air food stalls. Mumbai in particular is a glamorous city. My
husband taught me to learn the history and culture of the countries
we visit. I have also learned to appreciate the differences that we
find in each country.
How would you describe Nooor's leisure travel habits?
Karl:Nooor is a typical Thai. She doesn't like walking. I can
walk 10 kilometres, but she is fit to walk only when she is shopping
(laughs). Our children and I like hard adventure but she doesn't
like to break a sweat. We have to push her to come skiing with us.
However, we both enjoy trekking. She enjoys trying out local food.
She loves visiting India for its rustic and unique environment.
Describe Karl's love for sampling different types of cuisines?
Nooor: In fact, both of us love trying out different foods. Karl
likes to visit all types of restaurants to gauge just how different
is the taste of dishes served in high-end establishments from those
sold in open-air markets. He also likes to eat at places frequented
by locals. He is a good food critic.
How do you make the most out of your business trips?
Karl: We try to fit leisure activities into our business trips
to make the most of our time in a country we're visiting for the
first time. We schedule it in such a way that our children can also
join us.
Managing one's time is important and plans have to be made in
advance. So we travel a few days earlier and tour the city before
attending business matters. In Thailand, Nooor is very involved with
her cooking school but she still finds the time to travel overseas
to look after our restaurants in London, Paris and Brussels.
After 28 years of marriage do you still plan romantic vacations, and
do you have any favourite romantic getaways?
Nooor: We have been married so long that every day is
Valentine's Day to me, so I don't really think I need a romantic
vacation at a time when all our energy is consumed opening new
restaurants around the world.
As for our favourite romantic getaway, I would rate Krabi very
highly for its privacy and beautiful beaches.
My idea of a perfect romantic vacation would include a nice
high-end hotel with cozy ambience.
Karl: As we have been very busy in the restaurant business, any
free time we have is spent with the kids. Sunset in the mountains of
Loei can be highly romantic.
Before the tourist boom, I found Ko Samui to be a real jewel in
the crown. When we first visited it years ago, there was just a
sandy road leading to the beach. The Amanpuri, Phuket, was another
memorable place for its privacy and splendid view. Provinces in the
north of Thailand were also much nicer to visit as couples during
the good old days.
Your favourite dream destination?
Nooor: I have yet to visit Hawaii but from what I know about its
people and history, it looks like a real dream destination.
Karl: Tibet and South Africa are my favourite destinations. I
find Tibet enchanting because visitors can experience a pure form of
culture and spiritual awakening that is hard to find nowadays. As
for South Africa, it has every thing in the form of nature, wildlife
and culture to make your visit worthwhile.
What's on the menu for Valentine's Day at the Blue Elephant
Restaurant? Nooor: We have designed a very special menu for
Valentine's Day, under the theme as Love is Sharing. There is a
Valentine's Day message behind the name of each dish. For example,
guests can go for 'Truely, Madly, Deeply' for starters that includes
deep fried prawns stuffed with crab meat and green curry and 'Love
At First Sight' - grilled marinated beef satay served with peanut
sauce.
For the main course, we have names such as 'Heavenly Embrace', a
concoction of salmon fillet in rich spicy green curry served on roti;
'Love Letter' consists of racks of lamb in basil sauce; and 'Heal My
Broken Heart' that comes in the form of grilled succulent lobster
fillets served with Szechwan chilli sauce.
The 'Forever You' dessert is crepe with mango coulis and vanilla
ice cream flambeed with grand Marnier. The five-course royal Thai
dinner is priced at baht 3,800 baht for couples and baht 1,990 baht
for singles.
If you wish to contact the writer, email to
yvonneb@bangkokpost.co.th.
