Year in Review: The Moodie Blog
The Moodie Blogs of the Year
The Moodie Blog was launched in 2006, my 50th year on this planet, as travel retail’s first Blog. I’m closer to my 70th year now but to this day it remains both one of our most popular features and the one I enjoy the most, writes Martin Moodie.
In The Moodie Blog, I like to get ‘up close and personal in travel retail’ as the tagline has it.
I try to bring a personal perspective – variously humorous, poignant, always observational – to my experiences and those of others.
Here, in chronological order, are some of my favourites from a year in which I seemed to spend as much time in the air or abroad as I did on the ground at home.
I've been down this road before I remember every tree Every single blade of grass Holds a special place for me And I remember every town And every hotel room
And every song I ever sang On a guitar out of tune
– I remember everything, John Prine
January
Scenes of joy and remembrance in Bangkok
Amid all the celebrations on Sunday evening, there was a deeply poignant moment as a giant image of Khun Vichai appeared on the screen after the happy couple made their entrance into the giant hall and onto the stage.
Mastering the perfect serve with Aperol Spritz
The perfectly served Aperol Spritz inspired me to play this lovely passing shot straight out of the Carlos Alcaraz handbook {Note: No passengers were harmed in the making of this photograph}.
February
Why Bacha will be the hottest coffee in the airport world
If Hermès was a coffee brand it would be Bacha. And if there was a croissant heaven, I promise you a Bacha raspberry and cinnamon croissant would be served at the gates.
March
An Ospree takes flight amid some InDelhible memories
This bird is much smaller than an eagle and much smaller than any of the large birds you would have heard of. But it flies faster. It’s an agile bird that flies 5,000 miles and sees its prey miles away. That sounds a lot like us, right?
April
How I overcame Severe Tire Damage to become the oldest influencer in town
Before you knew it I was receiving live gifts in appreciation of my efforts. Perhaps it was audience sympathy – they may have thought I was past my ‘cell by’ date – but whatever the reasons the livestream ranked number three in Hainan that day.
May
Coming to a cinema near you: The Old Man & The Misfiring Laptop
While I would never have been likened to Robert Redford in his prime, the combination of his senior incarnation and the film’s plot did rather remind me of myself. I’m thinking of approaching him regarding a remake.
June
Making a big and beautiful bang in Bengaluru
For the first time in the history of this Blog I’ve set up an interim bureau inside an invasive species.
The parametric structure pictured is part of the outstanding 080 International Lounge at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru Terminal 2.
The beautiful framework is made from Lantana Camara, a tropical American shrub introduced to India by the British as a decorative plant during the period of colonial rule.
However, its original ornamental purpose proved just as invasive as the Brits.
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The Moodie Davitt eZine
Issue 342 | 19 December 2024
The Moodie Davitt eZine is published 14 times per year by The Moodie Davitt Report (MA Travel Retail). © All material is copyright and cannot be reproduced without the permission of the Publisher. To find out more visit www.moodiedavittreport.com and to subscribe, please e-mail kristyn@moodiedavittreport.com