THE COMO TOP 10

NEW SKILLS IN THE WILDS

TRAVELLERS AT COMO’S MOUNTAIN AND ISL AND RESORTS ARE TAKING HOME AN ARRAY OF NEW SKILLS, FROM ARCHERY IN BHUTAN TO FLY FISHING IN THE MALDIVES. SAM FRY REPORTS.

1 ARCHERY : Deep in the Paro Valley in Bhutan, travellers are learning the Himalayan Kingdom’s national sport: archery. Striking the bull’s eye with a traditional wooden bow and arrow requires a steady hand, a strong core and strict mental focus. It isn’t all about hitting the target though; archery is a sociable activity in Bhutan. Guests of COMO Uma Paro’s forest-fringed archery field pass their afternoon learning to shoot arrows and snacking on momos, a type of local dumpling.

4 CONCH CEVICHE MAKING : The harvesting of conch (pronounced: konk) is so integral to Turks and Caicos culture that it is depicted on the national flag. These saltwater molluscs grow on the seabed and have a salty, delicate flesh that has been enjoyed by the islanders for over a thousand years. Guests of COMO Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos can learn how to ‘cook’ conch flesh in acidic citrus juices to prepare ceviche, an island delicacy. The activity is led by the resort’s ocean expert, Jimmy Lee, who sets up his outdoor kitchen on the island’s main beach. A well-prepared ceviche balances salt and sour in a finely-honed combination of flavours.

2 PADDLEBOARDING : At COMO Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos, lessons in paddleboarding for children and adults take place amidst a mangrove jungle. The activity requires balance and endurance, but once mastered, a pristine wilderness becomes accessible. There are nearly 1,000 acres of protected mangroves on the island, bustling with wildlife above and below the water – from schools of infant nurse sharks, to pink flamingos flying overhead. Highlights include a paddleboard exploration of Bonny Creek, a waterway through the mangroves used by pirates in the eighteenth century.

3 COOKING : Learn the secrets of Balinese cuisine in Kemiri – COMO Uma Ubud’s courtyard-style restaurant. Here, hands-on cooking classes are led by the resort’s head chef. Guests have a range of Southeast Asian dishes to choose from, with flavours for every palate, from refreshing tuna sambal matah, to aromatic mie goreng noodles. Those looking to expand their culinary education at COMO Uma Ubud also accompany Kemiri’s chefs on their morning trips to the local market, learning the art of finding the freshest produce, such as the plumpest tomatoes, and the juiciest mangosteen, grapefruit and pomegranate.

5 PILATES : The Pilates studio at COMO Shambhala Estate perches above a steep jungle valley. Each morning the studio’s bamboo mat walls are rolled up, flooding the room with light. It is here that the Estate’s Pilates specialist teaches students how to strengthen their core muscles and realign their posture. In these one-on-one sessions, the traditional teachings of Joseph Pilates are enhanced by specific equipment such as the Reformer, the Trapeze Table and the Wunda Chair. Pilates can be particularly beneficial to those suffering from back pain or stiff joints.

6 YOGA : Yoga refers to a loose collection of physical, mental and spiritual practises, some of which have been around for thousands of years. Practitioners are led through a series of movements, poses and breathing exercises designed to help them achieve inner peace. At COMO Point Yamu in Phuket, guests are invited to join an instructor for daily

Hatha yoga classes in the resort studio.

These sessions provide an ideal introduction for those who have not tried yoga before, but experienced practitioners are also welcome. Yoga mats are provided in all the rooms at COMO's hotels and resorts worldwide.

9 DIVING : There is no place more enticing to learn how to dive than in the clear lagoon flanking COMO

Cocoa Island in the Maldives.

Scuba instructors lead new divers through a PADI-certified course that teaches the basics of controlled descents, use of the regulator, and how to get water out of a mask while underwater. Once these basics are mastered, guests hone their skills on the lagoon’s underwater obstacle course, before heading off to the many dive sites surrounding the island resort. In as few as four days, first time divers can find themselves in an underwater world populated by green turtles, big-eye trevally and elusive eagle rays.

7 FLY FISHING : Bluefin, giant trevally, triggerfish and barracuda lurk in the shallows of Thaa Atoll in the Maldives, with COMO Maalifushi operating an 18-foot Redfisher flats fishing boat to access the territory. It takes about an hour for fly fishing newbies to learn the basics of a casting technique, after which the hunt begins, knee-deep in the warm Indian Ocean. The Maldives’ fly fishing season runs from January to mid April, when the winds are light, the sea is calm and the water is gin clear. Few in the fly fishing world have yet discovered the Maldives, with COMO Maalifushi offering access to Thaa Atoll's 58 square miles of virgin flats.

8 SURFING : Canggu, on Bali’s south coast, is a secret Mecca for surfers – a serious surf spot away from the Kuta crowds. The best waves crash on the dark, volcanic sand between April and October, but year-round the surf attracts boarders of all levels. COMO Uma Canggu – COMO’s newest resort, located beachside – is giving guests access to this scene, with instruction from luxury surf experts, Tropicsurf. On the western side of the beach, where the waves are smaller and more predictable, the guides help beginners get the feel of their longboard. At the other end of the beach, more experienced surfers are encouraged to push themselves and ride bigger waves in the company of top instructors.

10 GAMELAN MUSIC : Gamelan is a traditional form of Balinese music, created by an ensemble of percussive instruments such as gongs, xylophones and drums. In Ubud, home to many of the island’s artisans, Made Sucipta has been practicing gamelan for 35 years. Sucipta is now passing his expertise on to guests of COMO Uma Ubud, with hour-long lessons in gamelan taking place at the resort, or in his private studio. These lessons introduce guests to the fundamentals of gamelan: the slendros (notes) and pelogs (tones) from which each piece of music is formed. The rhythmic metallic beats of this traditional music also punctuate the resort’s weekly Balinese dinner at 7.00pm in Kemiri restaurant.