nomadic pal num. 6 : sofia nebiolo

QUICKLY

 

I AM: Sofia Alexandra Nebiolo, 21 (of SUPERTRAMPIN') HOME: Brooklyn, NY

I'M CURRENTLY: Finishing my studies in Paris and working as a freelance journalist. 
I DIG: Photography, Style, Smoothies, Travel.
DESTINATION: Vietnam
WHAT: My boyfriend, his parents and I decided to take a trip to this beautiful country! The influence of their French heritage and my American heritage on Vietnam made for an interesting exploration.
WHY: Why not?
WHEN: February/March 2012
WEATHER: Rainy and cold in the North, Hot Hot Hot in the South
TRIP TUNES: Egyptian Shumba by the Tammys
TRIP THREADS: A colorful camouflage poncho I picked up in Japan and a fruit patterned bathing suit by Stella McCartney!
CAN'T FORGET EVEN IF I TRIED: Cruising through the Mekong Delta in a small wooden canoe wearing traditional Vietnamese triangle hats!
NEXT STOP: Copenhagen

BEST

RELAXATION SPOT: The beaches of Mui Ne, a four-hour bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City. The eco-friendly hotel Mia provided beach side lodging, giant cushions on the sand and fresh fruit every morning!

MEAL: The Banh Mi Sandwich! The most delicious sandwich from a street cart in Hoi An because in Vietnam it is all about street food. Quan An Ngon in Ho Chi Minh City. Set in an open colonial style building the restaurant is lined with different local street food, the barbequed clams are a must!
DRINK: Lemon Juice
ADVENTURE: Hiking through the mountains and waterfalls in the Sapa, a village in the North. We meet young girls from these old farming villages that followed us hiking the entire day! Exploring the UNESCO Heritage Site, Halong Bay and the floating fisherman villages on the water!
SLEEP/LACK OF SLEEP: The overnight train ride from Hanoi to Sapa. The rickety old train swung from side to side; needless to say I didn't get much sleep

 

(All photos were shot by Sofia Nebiolo with the following cameras:  Leica Z2X, Portra Film and a Canon 60 D.)

raise the roof

There is an army of at least twenty individuals on the roof of my childhood Florida home. When I say an army, I couldn't be using the term less lightly. The sounds coming from above my head, are literally the sounds of a war. These men VS my South Florida roof. Thankfully, being somewhat of an early bird, I was able to anticipate the thunderous noise of these twenty relentless construction workers, as they battle the hurricane damages of a decade. Yet, all around me, every artifact my parents have ever picked up on one of their travels is holding on for dear life.

I, on the other hand, am holding on for dear sanity. In the past ten minutes, my idealized view on roofs has shattered as violently as the very tiles these men are destroying. At the moment, that silly, romantic childhood fantasy of sitting up on that terracotta slant, with a first love, passing a sneaky cigarette back and forth while staring longingly at Gemini's constellation, has been crushed to pieces.

All I can think is this: If only I didn't have a roof. At this very moment, my ears would ring peacefully with the sound of the Atlantic, and this abundant Florida sunshine would turn the marble floors into art.

A roof. Who needs a roof? Or even walls, for that matter.

It's not as wacky, or childish a thought as you may think, either. Funnily enough, Conde Nast Traveler's August 2010 spread was a direct extension of these fresh thoughts of mine. The spread, entitled Sleeping With the... Stars, documents the notion which has swept elite tourism around the globe: that roofs, in certain optimal places, are an unfortunate barricade to the beauty all around us.

These very pricey but star-lit dwellings have done away with both of my current archenemies. The "hotel rooms" prove that in some cases, less really can be more, and with their lack of a a roof or walls, recreate an intimate bond between the luxury traveler and stunning nature.

I have highlighted my favorite four, in the hopes that though there may not be the sounds of an apocalypse as a side to your eggs and toast this morning; maybe you too, will see the absolute excellence in sometimes raising the roof.

1. Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa




2. Blue Mountains Private Safaris, Blue Mountains National Park, Australia




3. Loisaba Wilderness Lodge, Nanyuki, Kenya

4. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, Los Cabos, Mexico

OLB

i want to be a cubist when i grow up

Mini Cooper was kind enough to send me a funky little publication named The Mini International, as an official Thanks! to my leasing one of their speedy toy-looking automobiles.

The magazine featured one of the best architectural concepts I have seen all year: Fincube.

Fincube is my kind of place: small, cozy but sophisticated. Not to mention, it has a slight eco-Star Wars-chic feel about it, which tickles my fancy just fine. (Star Wars = a very guilty pleasure of mine. may the force be with me.)

Perched above a vineyard, forest or the shoreline of your most favorite beach, Fincube fits all of your nomadic needs.

Still a concept, but coming soon, the sample house is in South Tyrol, Italy- which looks like a little haven in itself. I might have to hop over that way this Spring. Because, after thoroughly exploring the site, I confess I've fallen in love...

And to my delight, it's not with a square. But a cube.



OLB