From the cosmopolitan coastal city of Cairns, Australia to the more idyllic island of Boracay in the Philippines, vivacious and adventurous Angela is scouting the region for her favourite beaches and the most interesting personalities. In each episode of this five-part series, she travels to one exotic destination – in Australia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand – and immerses herself in everything these beach towns have to offer. Through the people, food, art, design and activities, she soaks up the diverse culture and lifestyle of these places while enjoying the sun, sand and sea.
Whether it is party capitals like Goa in India, Koh Phangan in Thailand or Indonesia’s spiritual land, Bali, Angela digs deeper to uncover a different side to these popular spots beyond the typical tourist pursuits. She dives in to the experience by cooking with local fisherman, trying barefoot tango in the sand, sailing the Paraw (sail boat), participating in a festival procession, and taking in the sights in a vintage convertible.
There’s nothing more relaxing than living in paradise and Angela, along with her newfound local friends, provide fascinating insights into their lives less ordinary.
Dive in to the beach life with Angela this month on TLC with the following episodes:
Koh Phangan, Thailand
Premieres 9 December
Famous for its Full Moon parties, Koh Phangan attracts partygoers from all over the world. Angela braces herself for a full-on sensory overload as she joins the thousands of revelers at one of these monthly gatherings to experience first-hand why they are such a draw. Away from the crowds and nightlife, Angela discovers this idyllic island is so much more than just its wild party scene. She checks out the beautiful beaches on jet ski, learns the art of Muay Thai and relishes the simple pleasures of cooking with some local fishermen. Here Angela is also taught the island’s philosophy of being present and in the now within a Sound Temple Dome, at the laidback ‘Sanctuary Resort’.
Cairns, Australia
Premieres 16 December
Angela discovers there is no better way than to see the Cairns than from 1,200 feet up. She skydives and takes in a bird’s eye view of the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s biggest living ecosystem, as well as the Daintree, the oldest rainforest in the world. After that adrenaline rush, she switches gears and kicks off her shoes to dance barefoot in the sand with a local Tango group before heading for a smoothie at a local café, where she gets local insights on how best to appreciate life in Cairns. Angela visits Green Island to learn more about the reef ecosystem and gets up close and personal with the residents of this underwater world; then she picks up some surf living saving skills from Swampy the lifeguard. The fun continues when Angela gets a makeover from local fashionistas and spends time discovering more about Cairn’s rich heritage from some indigenous musicians and a celebrated artist. Her trip ends with a bang at the Cairns Festival, where the whole community has come together to celebrate the amazing life at the Great Barrier Reef.
Boracay, the Philippines
Premieres 23 December
Angela is off to the beautiful island of Boracay, which is known for its white sand beaches and pristine turquoise waters, where she gets some local perspectives about beach life. After a morning trip out on the Paraw (the local sail boat), she gets a wind surfing lesson from a surfing champion who provides her with an appreciation for harnessing nature and sustainability. Angela inks some skin with the island’s best tattoo artist and chills out with the “it girl” who exudes glamour of a different kind. Along the way, she practices the “pancake” move with the island’s hippest Frisbee team and paddles her way to the finish line at the Boracay Dragon Boat Festival where a sumptuous seafood feast awaits.
Bali, Indonesia
Premieres 30 December
In the spiritual land of Bali, Angela learns that every aspect of life can be an offering, whether she’s surfing the ocean’s waves, tasting the best organic produce or dancing freely. The Balinese have a deep respect for all living things and she discovers this when she joins the procession of one of the island’s biggest festivals, Kuningan. Here, Angela also indulges her curiosity by visiting the coral goddess who sits in the serenity of an underwater garden.
Goa, India
Premieres 6 January
At the pristine coastline of west India that stretches over 200 km, the country’s smallest state, Goa, is a melting pot of rich history and culture. Angela learns the art of going with the flow, reveling in the freedom of riding on a Royal Enfield from village to village and cruising in a vintage convertible with the most celebrated Goan fashion designer to see the sights. She explores what makes Goa such a tourist hot spot through the art and music, delving into the future of Goan trance music and Goan fusion which includes the modern use of the traditional sitar. After a few “back bends” by the sea, Angela’s trip ends at the Anjuna beachside market, where she takes in the amazing sunset.