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David's AW News: A Busy Week in Bali…

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Here in Bali, Raul is visiting and we’ve been working together most days from the AW Advantage office . The pace has been intense. We’re running around like crazy updating websites and systems. The latest to go under the hood is AWArtisan.eu . From the outside it might look like a simple refresh — but behind the scenes the backend work is huge. Cleaning data, restructuring systems and preparing things for the next stage. All the websites including the UK main site will change over the next few weeks. We hope you appreciate the changes.. it should be a better (we hope it is) user experience.. and that you can find ever more Gifting Opportunities at AW. It’s a bit like renovating a house while still living in it. At the same time there’s a real “end of term” feeling around the office. Across Indonesia the big celebration is Idul Fitri , marking the end of Ramadan. Many of our team are heading home this weekend to visit their families — travelling to different islands across the archipe...
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David's AW News: Stones, Storms & Safe Landings

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From Gujarat to Goa… and back to Bali Before leaving Khambhat , our gemstone friends insisted we visit a nearby Hindu temple — a place filled with enormous Shiva Lingam stones . Inside the temple stands a monumental lingam , the sacred symbol of Lord Shiva. In Hindu tradition the lingam represents the creative force of the universe — the endless cycle of creation, destruction and renewal. Locals were so happy to welcome us, excited even, wanted selfies and thanked us for visiting.  Devotees perform a ritual known as abhishek , gently pouring water, milk or oil over the stone while offering prayers. Watching Mr Chatterjee perform this ancient ritual up close is surprisingly moving. The smooth stone slowly darkens as the liquid flows over it, collecting in channels below — a simple act repeated for centuries. Our friend, the mining guy above right in the picture and his brother took us on a VIP tour.. The temple is full of local agate, many gemstone decor and huge lingam stones. For...
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David's AW News: This Town Changed Everything

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Greetings from India Hope you are well. Last week I was telling you about our whiskey drama and how India is not so bad these days. If you missed it you can catch up here. We had made it to the city of Vadodara in Gujarat - a dry state from there our friend the mine owner picked us up and drove us to the famous gemstone artisan town Khambhat which is an unbelievably historic and otherworldly place. Khambhat.. woah this place! Not exactly on any tourist maps. No yoga cafés. No mountain views. Not even a proper hotel (We stayed just out of town at a highway stopover.). Sadly the sea coast silted up and the sea is 10 kilometers in the distance, but they still have a seaside promenade. Many ancient British buildings. And we were taken to a place of epic history totally abandoned. The place is just heat, dust, narrow streets… and history that runs deep. The old town part still has tiny trading stores that look a hundred years old. We have several suppliers in this town, people w...
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David's AW News: India Rage Bate / Whiskey Drama

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Greetings from Vadodara, in Gujarat Gujarat is a dry state - alcohol consumption is banned even carrying alcohol is against the law. And both Toni and I have expensive whiskey we bought as presents for friends. Hope we don't get in trouble.. it was a little stressful at the airport..   but so far no problem. Yes I never heard of Vadodara either.   And it's a surprising place. I'll tell you why later. So this week we have been crazy busy, in the Delhi fair - It happens twice a year, this is the Spring fair where many of our suppliers can be found. Last week I was telling you about our last days in Kathmandu, and my thoughts on Gifting Opportunities.. There's lots!   If you missed it you can catch up here . Well… Delhi doesn’t do things quietly. It's been a whirlwind few days at the trade show — reconnecting with suppliers, shaking hands, doing deals, devising products and trying (unsuccessfully) to be in five places at once. Wow they did a great job this y...
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David's AW News: Another Gift Opportunity. Team India.

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Greetings from Aerocity, Delhi. Hope you had a great Valentine's weekend! We have just arrived in India from Kathmandu. Toni and I took an Indigo (very short) flight down to Delhi T3, landing at 3pm. Bondhan, our man in Indonesia, braved Air India and flew from Denpasar to Delhi T3, also landing at 3pm, although a much longer flight. The plan was to meet in the luggage hall. What could possibly go wrong? Amazingly, it worked, and we easily found each other. It's Bondhan's very first trip to India. So this should be interesting, especially since later we will be going hardcore India.  But the first evening is at an airport hotel - in an area called Aerocity.. Basically, all the hotels in the world have built a hotel here. We are staying at a Lemon Tree Hotel, a lovely, well-loved Indian brand that famously employs disabled and disadvantaged people. Recycled water in the toilets, etc. It's very woke.. Trump would hate it. We loved it. This morning, Chatterjee (our man in ...
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David's AW News: Back on the Road..1st Stop Kathmandu!

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Oh my goodness I can't tell how good it is to be back in Nepal. I left Sheffield in winter mode, to Manchester airport T2 over a sunny and snow sprinkled Pennines. Then a night flight (via Turkish airways) through Istanbul (always slightly surreal at 1am), a little bit delayed but landed in Kathmandu early afternoon local time.  Kathmandu airport is one of the worst organised in the world , but redeemed by the most lovely people . After the chaotic but jolly baggage hall experience I emerge to that familiar mix of incense, traffic, prayer flags and smiles. If you’ve ever been here, you’ll know what I mean — if you haven’t, it’s a place that gets under your skin very quickly. Coming in to land at KTM caught a spectacular view of the mountains above Kathmandu. Then land at the famously disorganised KMT airport. Last week I was writing to you from Sheffield, my hometown and AW HQ. Talking about plans, people, and movement. I gave you my Top 10 picks for the SOL (Season of Love) - sta...
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David's AW News: I'm Leaving..(and SOL picks)

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Greetings from Sheffield - snowy Sheffield This week has been mad, amazing, inspirational and a little stressful.   Valentines Day is almost upon us.. the SOL is in full swing. Last week I was telling you about my arrival here, the crashing racking crisis in Spain and all the new stuff coming.. if you missed it you can catch up here . I'm staying in the Kenwood Hotel in Sheffield, there is a beautiful lake there and I went for a walk and thought about how we humans have used love and romance to get us through the cold of the winter months.. Normally I take a car from our car pool, or hire one while I'm here.. but for some reason I just thought I'd manage with a combo of Uber and Friends just for the human connection.. and yes learn so much. .every taxi driver has a life story to tell..   and got to spend more time with my good friend Katka who is a director at AW.. who kindly picked me up every morning. Thank you!! This morning.. A fresh beautiful Sheffield morni...
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