WHY DON’T YOU … ? Explore the wondrous world with Thanuja Ananthan
The BAZAAR cover girl, model and activist with trademark legs that stretch for miles faces her fears fabulously this month.
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... TRAVEL ASIA.
My job takes me everywhere, especially the travelogue shoots with TV3’s Unsung Places. Oh, there was Gujarat, land to the biggest salt desert, the Great Rann of Kutch. Imagine two kilometres of fresh salt glistening under a full moon, where the world’s smallest antelope roams free. Or being at the oldest Buddhist festival held once a year in Kandy, Sri Lanka, with a parade of 400 elephants from this amazing sanctuary adorned with jewels, rich velvets, and gold.
… PACK LIGHT.
Just so you can pick up fashion pieces from around the globe. Paddington Street in London is where I hunt for vintage clothing and accessories, and Chantal B carries the most unique pieces. When in Paris, the Pigalle boutique near Hôtel Amour is my top shopping go-to. Mauritius is also full of surprises – that’s where I found the peacock-feathered jewellery set I treasure dearly.
... BE A FREQUENT FLYER.
The things you see and experience, the stories you hear, the people you meet when you travel – beyond priceless. There is something magical about South Africa and Sri Lanka, whether you’re on safari in Kruger National Park or on a jungle trek up the Jaffna Mountains. I would love to visit Nairobi National Park in Kenya and volunteer in its lion conversation programme or work with the Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust in Zambia.
... MAKE NEW FRIENDS.
African elephants aside, furry animals closer to home need some love, too. Nothing gives me more joy than volunteering at animal shelters. It’s a real difference you can make. www.spca.org.my
... PUT YOUR HEALTH ON TOP.
Rushing from one terminal to another can take its toll on the body so it’s vital to stay fit. I’m a vegan most days and limit my meat intake, but I don’t miss out on guilty pleasures! I still love potato chips and Kinder Bueno, but moderation is key. Workouts at Bodytone and walking my dog keep me fit.
... FACE OFF.
I just got home from a one-month shoot in South Africa for the Fear Factor Selebriti Malaysia Series. After being suspended 30 feet in the air over a freezing cold lake in Cape Town and swimming in a sealed-off tunnel, I’m a changed woman. Catch Thanuja in the series when it hits the air this February.