Villages of Surrey and food from Vietnam: The best of YS Life in 2023
YS Life lists stories published across categories, over the last one year, that are worth revisiting.
A year and half ago, YourStory launched YS Life with one agenda–to bring forth a curation of the best things and experiences in life.
As we draw closer to the end of yet another eventful year, we bring to you the best from our lifestyle and cultural e-magazine that are worth a re-visit. There’s a bit of music, diving into art and culture, some wandering around, and a healthy dose of mindfulness and meditation, with a side of great food and wine!
Travel and Leisure
A quick stop at the villages of Surrey
Set amid beautiful woodlands, Abinger Common is ideal for those looking for a digital detox.
South-East England’s Surrey is known for its rolling hills, sinking valleys, ancient heathland, waterways and county cricket. During its visit, YS Life goes around the villages, taking a trip back in time and experiencing the slow life in today’s fast-paced world.
We also list the top five villages that provide a peek into history and culture of the era gone by. One may visit Abinger Common, the oldest village in England, to know how the world looked in the Middle Stone Age, or take a stroll through Cranleigh, to glance through art and enjoy a meal at indie cafes.
Whether you wish to experience Bridget Jones’s Diary’s world at Shere, or be a part of the community at the picturesque Brockham, read here why we feel time truly stops at Surrey.
Living the Kuttanad life
One of the heritage mansions at Coconut Lagoon
In our quest to see the world, we often forget about the beauty that surrounds us. From the snow-capped Himalayas and rolling sand hills of Thar, to the serene beaches and bountiful tea-gardens, India is a travellers’ paradise.
In 2023, we visited the God’s Own Country to briefly experience Kuttanad life. In the backwaters of Kumarakom, in Kerala, CHG Earth’s Coconut Lagoon marries simplicity with luxury.
Walk on the carpeted buffalo grass lawns in the reclaimed coconut cultivation land, and live inside heritage bungalows and villas, centuries old, rescued and refurbished. With authentic flavours and spices, the curries and rice delicacies at the Ettuketty are to die for.
Located just opposite to a bird sanctuary, Coconut Lagoon offers a plethora of activities to choose from–kayaking, bird-watching, ayurveda massages, saree-draping classes, and traditional dance and music performances, to suit the interests of every guest at the resort. Find out what makes Coconut Lagoon the perfect choice for your next slow vacation, here.
Wine and Food
Skewers are a common street food delicacy in Vietnam.
A food-walk across Vietnam
Over the last couple of years, Vietnam has become a new favourite destination for travellers across the world. Thanks to Instagram and its bite-size reels, everyone seems to be planning their itinerary for their next trip to the Southeast-Asian country.
While there’s a lot to see and explore in Vietnam, food exploration should form an essential element in one’s itinerary. With a culinary profile grounded in a 1,000-year old history, Vietnamese food has also adapted the best from its changing times, offering an interesting fusion of delicacies.
From the most-famous Pho, Bahn Mi, Bahn Goi, spring rolls, sticky rice, to the iconic egg coffee, talk a walk with YS Life across the alleys of Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi. Read more here.
The Lead
Self-pleasure as self-care
Indian millennial women are finally vocal about sex and sexuality. And voicing them on larger platforms are content creators, the likes of Leeza Mangaldas, Seema Anand, and Tanaya Narendra, among others.
With more women becoming comfortable with their bodies and sexuality, there has also been a rise in women wanting to take control of their sexual pleasures. In a conversation with millennial women, sex experts and entrepreneurs who are making sex-talk cool, YS Life decodes how sexual pleasure has taken the turn to become a form of self-care.
We discuss sex toys, bedroom essentials, sexual wellness products, and more, here.
Entertainment
Compelling plots and performances
Independent films have always been reserved for film festivals, and their access limited to the art-film buffs. 2023 changed that. With easy access to OTT platforms, the film industry has democratised and how!
Away from box-office numbers and chart-busters, in an attempt to bring forth the best of best independent films, YS Life has carefully curated a list of films–both engrossing and entertaining, that make for a solid watch in 2024.
From Flora and Son on Apple TV+, to mother-daughter assassin action drama Kill Bokson on Netflix, and intriguing watch Sharper, access the list here.
Edited by Affirunisa Kankudti