Interview with Tara Strong: [Favourite destination – the Andaman Islands.] I am always strongly drawn to the sea and having grown up in Asia, I love tropical waters the most. However, I have never been so overwhelmed by pure beauty as when I have travelled to the Andaman Islands. There are 572 island jewels in the Andaman crown and your breath is guaranteed to be taken away by the unspoiled scenery – crystal clear waters and white beaches surrounded by huge, prehistoric boulders and, deeper into the island, a lush tangle of jungle.
Tara Strong.
Her top tip for holidaying on the Andaman Sea
The best way to explore this remote archipelago between Thailand and India is via sailing boat. They can be explored at closer range via jet ski, but not all the islands are open to tourists, only 36 are inhabited and it is strictly not allowed to camp on many of the islands, so it is important to have a knowledgeable captain and guide on board.
Andaman Islands. Photo by Deepak Kumar on Unsplash.
Something Tara always packs when she travels
I always pack coconut oil, because no matter where you go, you will always find a use for it – whether it is as a nutritious addition to your breakfast bowl, a hand, face and body moisturiser, hair conditioner or even for helping to do up troublesome zips! (Keep it in a tightly closed container, sealed within a bag though – it quickly turns to liquid in the heat!)
Harriniva Aurora Domes, Muonio, Finland.
A destination on her bucket list, for future travels
I have always had a yearning to experience the spectacular Aurora Borealis in Iceland, which is also famed for its geothermal landscape, resulting in the Blue Lagoon, vast volcanic wilderness and stunning waterfalls. I would stay in a dome hotel, which allows you to feel like you are immersed in the stars and the lights.
Phi Phi Island, Thailand. Photo by Oliver Sjöström on Unsplash.
A travel disaster – or near-miss – which stays in her mind
I have always been blessed when it comes to travel. Maybe because I always approach it with an open mind, going with the flow and not trying to control events too much. Even experiences which seemed negative at the time found a way to spin themselves into a learning opportunity, or another experience entirely than the one I had set out for! One such trip was to see a boyfriend of mine living in Malaysia at the time, I was travelling with my eldest daughter and was so excited to be sharing the world with her! However, when we arrived at Kuala Lumpur the relationship unravelled within 24 hours and I found myself spontaneously booking plane tickets for her and I, departing to Phuket the next day. We found ourselves freewheeling it from there to Phi Phi island and had an unforgettable holiday.
About Tara Strong
Tara Strong has travelled all her life, living in several countries across different continents. Her global upbringing instilled in her a love of the deep learning provided by authentic cultural experiences and a respect for peoples from around the world, as well as a passion for spreading environmental awareness and sharing the messages about the importance of respecting and conserving the world’s precious resources.
It was this passion and life experience combined that lead her to create lume life, an eco-conscious accessories business that imports handwoven bags from Myanmar. lume life‘s stunning handmade bags are created from upcycled plastic and cotton, woven in the traditional patterns of the Chin tribe in Myanmar by women supporting their families. Stylish and eye-catching, each bag is unique and makes a statement about environmental consciousness and the need for innovative, creative solutions to the world’s plastic problem.
