Creative Blog – Anton Dee

22nd August 2019 — No Comments

Genius Without Purpose – Sarawak, Malaysia

Much has been written on the subject of genius. It appears in all forms, in all walks of life and yet the mere act of describing it inevitably falls short. Genius lies in the cracks, in the space between notes, in the involuntary situations one had to experience in their life. It inspires but is impossible to imitate, it transcends time yet does not feel out of place. Some of history's greatest artists tapped into core emotions such as love and suffering to create truly resplendent work. Genius chose their art as much as they were chosen by it. They wrote, painted, drew and sculpted and turned their pain into a blessing. People tend to simplify everything, put it into easily digestible boxes, they expect genius to be splendid and solitary. Inversely, genius is called upon to resemble all. Fortunately for us, reality is infinitely more complex. (Albert Camus, Create Dangerously 1957).

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The Cave You Fear to Enter

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Numerous connotations to the word 'genius' may be running through your mind and as much as we all admire Johann Sebastian Bach or Leonardo da Vinci it would be impossible to fully live on their level. When I talk about genius I'm talking about a skill that includes aspects of temperance, self-awareness and intuition. A skill that cannot be perfected yet is always full of surprises. Can one be skilled at living? I guess if the answer were simple we would have discovered it a long time ago.

With that paragraph, you may be wondering what I'm getting at. I feel that to an extent we are all artists. We choose the paintbrushes with which to colour our lives. An artist constantly lives in a state of ambiguity, incapable of understanding the real yet eternally bound to question it. So how do we live in a reality that's ever-shifting, ever just out of reach yet within our narrow spectrum of understanding? We start with our thoughts and our attention.

One of my favourite Alan Watts quotes says: “A purposeless life misses nothing, for it is only when there is no goal and no rush that the human senses are fully open to receive the world.” It takes tremendous skill to be present, to observe, to listen to one's intuition and feel at ease not knowing the outcome of things. By relinquishing control to the universe you actually get more order and understanding in your life. And meditation is all about relinquishing control, being a passive observer of one's own thoughts and reality. Meditating in such a way that allows us to discover our inner genius.

To identify with a higher self we start by carefully watching all our thoughts, our feelings, our emotions. We begin to build up a sense of separation between the watcher and what is watched. You remain the witness, impassively, impartially, suspending judgment and watching it all go on. And the beautiful thing is that this is available to anyone. You just have to make a conscious effort to do so. It's utterly liberating to realise there's nothing you can do. All that's left to do is dance. Dance in the street or just join the dance of life, don't fight against change. After a while, you become aware without judgement or comment of what is actually happening in this moment, both outside yourself and within. Listening to your involuntary thoughts as if they were no more than the sound of rain.

This is possible only when it is clear that there is nothing you can do. There is nothing else to do because there is no time to do it. There is no way on or back from here as there is no past or future. The answer is close and tomorrow it will be no closer. And precisely at the point where we realise this, we cease using the present to get 'somewhere else' and thus we awaken to what Ananda Coomaraswamy called 'a perpetual uncalculated life in the present'. A moment's awareness is sufficient to reveal to us the fact that this perpetual uncalculated life in the present' is exactly the type of life we are always leading anyways, whether we realise it or not.

The genius behind this skill is unknown to those who know it and known to those who know it not. The mere act of talking about it is as effective as trying to move the ocean with cupped hands. Yet we see hints of genius in everyday life, in people, in nature, but only if we take the time to observe. Through our observations, we can create an optimum model of the world within which our unique character traits can flourish. We develop an optimum model over time, we put it into our own terms while the brain sprinkles it with billions of unconscious signals. This is where we learn to trust our intuition as deep down it's aware of our strengths and blind spots.

But life isn't a math problem to be solved. There isn't a formula to follow as a rigid way of thinking can constrain your viewpoint. There are no objectives unless you consciously set some for yourself or unconsciously download the cultural programming of the world. Genius is being one of a kind, working on ideas that are unique to you and constantly challenging your own perspective. There is beauty in observing others as everyone's model is different and unique to them. Newton, Mozart and Da Vinci nurtured their natural talents but like everyone, their lives contained imperfections that made them distinctly human.

anton dee mulu caves miri national park bat cave

As you become more comfortable with this mode of thinking you begin to see how far you can push a certain line of thought. We can look for genius in new areas that satiate our morbid curiosities and challenge our comfortable modes of thinking. You begin to see the timeless interrelationship of black and white, how evil is necessary for good to exist. You become aware of the good times and appreciate them to the fullest because you'll be completely present in the moment. You're gonna have bad times and your mind will be your friend in those times. Mental toughness is underrated and any joy or fulfilment you wish to extract out of life has to start from within.

“It takes a lot of time to be a genius. You have to sit around so much, doing nothing, really doing nothing.”
― Gertrude Stein

I touched upon Joseph Campbell and the Hero's Journey in one of my previous posts. There comes a point in everyone's life where they have to enter the cave of uncertainty and face their fears. The very cave you are afraid to enter will turn out to be the source of what you were looking for. The damned thing in the cave that was so dreaded has become your center. And all it took was a conscious decision to change one's perspective. Our inner genius has the potential to shape our destiny and it's a waste of life to squander its development.

Being present with your own genius is an art, a skill which is nothing without reality and without which reality is insignificant. Life is not a competition but a beautiful dance, a play. You are lucky to be able to have a front-row seat to the greatest show on earth, complete with everything from comedy and laughter to tragedy and betrayal. Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, playing things safe, but honest in the knowledge that you squeezed out every last drop.

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Published by antondee in Art & Design, Creative Blog, DVSN Updates, Health & Wellbeing, Photography, Travel

5th May 2019 — No Comments

Mobile Banking – Displacing the Incumbents

When I was growing up a mobile phone was seen as a luxury. Something only businessmen owned to make important calls overseas. Over the years the line between a phone and a computer has become increasingly blurred as new and exciting features have become the norm. We now have more processing power and information in our pockets than the president of United States did 20 years ago. We have access to a vast library of human knowledge as well as billions of hours of entertainment in audio, visual or text form. There are people who decry technology as evil but technology is just a tool and like any tool it facilitates your actions (whether positive or negative) into the world. You don't have to look far to see traditional industries such as advertising, journalism and photography being disrupted by technology. And banking is next.

The strength of banks has always been trust but over the last few decades their carefully crafted facade has started to slip. These corporations have been caught laundering money for Mexican cartels, rigging Libor rates and playing a major role in the 2008 financial crisis. It's safe to say the public trust in these institutions is at an all time low. Do any of us really know how our money is used once it enters the chaotic financial system? If money is information then why do we pay exuberant fees and wait days to send it abroad when a WhatsApp message gets delivered instantly? Technological evolution forces companies to take on an 'adapt or die' mentality as costs fall due to increased competition and economies of scale. Over the last few years companies have sprung up around the world with the aim of displacing the incumbents and I wanted to highlight a few of them here.

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The Contenders

Countries such as China have started to adopt a 'mobile first' approach to payments which allows its citizens to pay bills and order taxis all within one universal app. Authoritarian implications aside, the ease of use and mass adoption of this idea means Europe is not far behind. Here are 3 companies that I've used in the last few years that are poised to make an impact in the European banking scene.

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LOOT

Loot is a challenger bank offering personalised features to keep track of your finances. Loot aims to ensure you never have to ‘miss out’, whether you’re working towards a trip around the world or dinner with friends.

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REVOLUT

A digital-only company that sets itself apart by offering the ability to hold a number of different currencies and cryptocurrencies. It’s aimed at the millennial traveller, offering competitive exchange rates and international money transfers with no hidden fees.

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MONZO

Monzo is one of the biggest names among challenger banks in the UK. It’s a digital, mobile-only bank that offers a current account with a well designed app and a contactless Mastercard that works without a hitch abroad.

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User Experience + Design

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My auntie is the least tech literate person I know so to make this a fair and unbiased test I decided to use her as my UX test subject. I asked her to give me a mark out of 10 for initial setup, ease of use (features such as topping up, sending payments and setting up a savings pot), overall look and feel and ability to get help within the app. I will also add points for any additional features these companies provide.

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LOOT

Initial Setup: 9/10

Ease of Use: 8/10

Look & Feel: 7/10

Help: 7/10

Additional Features: 5/10

Overall: 36/50

Although the Loot app is the only one that provides a web alternative it also means logging in with a password every single time instead of a PIN. The 'Help' section was difficult to find as it only appears as a small icon on one of the categories. It also offers very few additional features compared to its competitors such as cryptocurrencies, overdrafts or the ability to have your salary paid in directly.

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REVOLUT

Initial Setup: 8/10

Ease of Use: 8/10

Look & Feel: 8/10

Help: 8/10

Additional Features: 9/10

Overall: 41/50

Revolut is the card I tend to use the most during my travels. You can spend in over 150 currencies or exchange FIAT for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin/Ethereum at very competitive rates . You get a free Euro IBAN account for international payments, set budgets and monitor spending habits. The app is very easy to navigate and offers many additional features for a low monthly payment.

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MONZO

Initial Setup: 8/10

Ease of Use: 8/10

Look & Feel: 8/10

Help: 9/10

Additional Features: 8/10

Overall: 41/50

Very similar to Revolut but aimed more towards the UK market. Monzo offers a full UK Current Account – you can receive salary, make direct debit payments, bank transfers or even open overdraft. Help was very easy to find and the design is geared towards great user experience. Thoughtful touches such as monthly spending reports help you keep your finances in check. The only downside I found is the 3% ATM withdrawal charge when you're abroad.

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Overall all 3 apps came out with a solid rating with Loot slightly behind due to its lack of features. Monzo is a perfect alternative to traditional UK Current Accounts while a wide range of currencies and competitive exchange rates means Revolut is the ideal companion when travelling abroad. Compared to the mess that banking apps such as Natwest or Nationwide provide, using Monzo and Revolut abroad was like a breath of fresh air. Spending breakdowns allow for tighter control of your finances and the ability to freeze your card or instantly pay contacts are features that are very handy in day to day life. (If you're interested follow this link to find out more).

The next step for mobile technology is giving everyone in the world the ability to manage their own money and freely exchange it for goods and services. The unbanked in developing countries in Africa, South America and Asia will leapfrog banks just as they leapfrogged landlines with mobile phones. Cryptocurrencies are a step in the right direction but there are still major hurdles to overcome before they're accepted as a stable form of money. For the time being all we can do is vote with our wallets and I commend companies such as Loot, Monzo and Revolut for embracing the inevitable change we're going to experience in our lifetime.

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Thanks for taking the time to read my latest article. If you wish to support my work please give it a share using the links below and follow my social channels. If you wish to collaborate with me please send an email to hello@dvsn.co

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Published by antondee in Creative Blog, DVSN Updates, Future & Tech Blog, Lifestyle, Photography, Tech Products

12th November 2018 — No Comments

72 Hours in Singapore – A Lesson in Stoicism

There's a simple game we all play called the “social hierarchy game”. We constantly compare ourselves to our closest friends or co-workers to make sure we're doing as well or better than them. We use self-promotion as a tool to climb the social ladder. This makes sense from an evolutionary perspective as our ancestors had to avoid rejection from the group to stay alive. Status was directly connected to survival and access to basic life resources. This ancient habit is deeply embedded in our psyche and manifests in the brands we choose, virtue signalling on social media as well as our eating and reading habits.

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You Are Not Your Thoughts

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You would hope that as we get older we stop wasting time and energy on the comparison game but in reality we wear our accomplishments like medals. Your salary, the value of your home, the views on your YouTube video. Letting arbitrary numbers get to your head can be a serious impediment to happiness. I’ve been pondering this thought for a number of years which has led me to dive deep into the ancient philosophy of Stoicism. Over 2,000 years ago philosophers such as Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius taught that devoting mental resources to things outside of one’s control, like what other people thought of them, is a supreme waste of time.

Stoicism isn’t about happiness per se, but rather about living in a state of tranquility and peace with ones inner world. The Stoics recognised that for many people, the social hierarchy game was a hindrance to this state of mind. William Irvine, a professor of philosophy at Wright State University explicitly says you shouldn’t care about the opinion of most people. It is in fact a sign of progress if you get more condemnation rather than adulation. Thinking about thinking isn’t just an energy-draining distraction. Getting lost in this game actually makes it easy to be led astray from your personal priorities and look for leadership outside of yourself. Rather than idolising super-achievers, look for meaning in the transcendent. One can find great personal importance in a creative pursuit or sacrificing leisure time to something greater than yourself.

gardens by the bay show

You will of course continue the comparisons. Yet comparing up leads to feelings of envy and low self esteem. Comparing down only leads to a brief moment of satisfaction with one’s own achievements . The trick is to catch yourself in these moments and observe your thoughts. Just be completely present. Realise that you are not your thoughts. You are simply the observer of them. And like picking what clothes to wear when you wake, you get to choose which thoughts you pay attention to and act on. Even the anxious ones. Because the point of anxiety is to let you know that something is wrong. So by taking a step back you get to be honest with yourself. You get to see whether that thought is true and relevant. And if it is you can then analyse the circumstances that are within your control and act decisively.

"The greatest obstacle to living is expectation, which depends on tomorrow and wastes today." - Seneca

singapore rooftops at night blade runner

The four cardinal virtues of Stoic philosophy as derived from the teachings of Plato are wisdom, courage, justice and temperance (self restraint). A stoic individual must apply these in all walks of life and practice them on a daily basis. Knowing is just the first step, acting on this knowledge and taking the road less travelled is half the battle. Working through the pain of life nets you intangible benefits in the future and just because you're not seeing results does not mean your efforts are futile. The race is long and in the end its only with yourself. Seeking comfort is one of the worst things a person can do in terms of finding overall happiness so start each morning with a smile and observe any thoughts that arise. Decide which ones are a priority and which ones to throw away. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

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Published by antondee in Creative Blog, DVSN Updates, Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle, Travel

21st October 2018 — No Comments

Recipe for a Joyful Life

There was a recent survey of millennials asking what they considered to be important life goals. Over 80% said that getting rich was a major goal while 50% said that 'becoming famous' was top of their priority list. Getting rich and/or famous should be a bi-product of a life well lived and the arbitrary measure of happiness does not hinge on either of those two things. If it did the rich and famous would be dancing in the streets all night. Before pushing harder to achieve more and setting down this lonely and unfulfilling road, take a word of advice from our elders. As the saying goes 'those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it'. Having a moment of clarity now will save you a tonne of heartache and unhappiness in the future.

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A Study of Happiness

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The Harvard Study of Adult Development may be the longest study of adult life that's ever been conducted. For 75 years, Harvard tracked the lives of 724 men (and later on their wives), year after year, asking about their work, their home lives and their health. There was no way of knowing how each of those lives was going to turn out but the data and patterns that revealed themselves showed strong correlations in a number of areas. The first is that social connections are really good for us, and that loneliness kills. It turns out that people who are more socially connected to family, to friends, to community, are happier. They're physically healthier, and they live longer than people who are less well connected. The experience of loneliness turns out to be toxic. People who are more isolated than they want to be from others find that they are less happy, their health declines earlier in midlife, their brain functioning declines sooner and they live shorter lives.

fitzrovia london symmetry

You can be lonely in a crowd and you can be lonely in a marriage, but the second big lesson that was learned is that it's not just the number of friends you have, and it's not whether or not you're in a committed relationship, but it's the quality of your close relationships that matters. It turns out that living in the midst of conflict is really bad for our health. High-conflict marriages, for example, without much affection, turn out to be very bad for our health, perhaps worse than getting divorced. And living in the midst of good, warm relationships is protective.

The third big lesson learned about relationships and our health is that good relationships don't just protect our bodies, they protect our brains. It turns out that being in a securely attached relationship to another person in your 80s is protective. The people who are in relationships where they really feel they can count on the other person in times of need, those people's memories stay sharper longer. And the people in relationships where they feel they really can't count on the other one, those are the people who experience earlier memory decline. And those good relationships, they don't have to be smooth all the time. Some octogenarian couples could bicker with each other day in and day out, but as long as they felt that they could really count on the other when the going got tough, those arguments didn't take a toll on their memories.

symmetry architecture london

You may be reading this and thinking that this information is obvious but knowing something and putting it into practice is a challenge in itself. We're human. What we'd really like is a quick fix, something we can get that'll make our lives good and keep them that way. Relationships are messy and they're complicated and the hard work of tending to family and friends, it's not sexy or glamorous. It's also lifelong. It never ends. If you're serious about change you have to go through uncomfortable situations and stop trying to dodge the process. It's the only way to learn and grow.

It all starts with your mind which can seem like an unapproachable concept and yet your mind is totally within your control. Your mind is both an unstoppable force and an inescapable curse so understanding it should be your main priority. You are the master of your universe, but knowing this is just the first step. There is no avoidance of hard work. Humans are pleasure seeking creatures and as stated above we'll do anything for a quick fix. The argument for working on yourself is that it'll lead to more pleasure in the future. Start by making small changes in your daily routine. Do one press-up, write one paragraph, call one close friend etc. Eventually the small changes snowball and become life long habits that you wish you started earlier.

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Published by antondee in Creative Blog, DVSN Updates, Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle, Photography

13th August 2017 — No Comments

Feeling Nice in Nice, France

Although I consider the Italian Riviera to be one of the most stunning places in the world I have to say that its French counterpart is sure to give that accolade a run for its money. Nice is considered the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Azur and its year-round sunshine and stunning seaside location has been attracting wealthy visitors for centuries. Nice was the last location on our cruise before heading back to Rome but instead of writing about the town itself I want to go on a different tangent and explore the topic of happiness (something I touched upon this time last year during my visit to Durdle Door in Dorset).

SANTORINI // MYKONOS // NICE // ROME

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Pursuit of Happiness

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One of the things I've learned - especially in more recent times - is how much we can over worry and over think decisions. Whilst nothing should be taken lightly, I feel that there's very little we can do that will have a catastrophic effect on our lives. Even if things don't go as we expect, and times can get dark there is always a new dawn if we are resilient and keep pushing on. To be truly happy we need to look after our souls. Buy Cialis online 20 mg and Cialis daily 5 mg http://www.dresselstyn.com/site/buy-cialis-ed-pills-online/ learn more. More than anything I feel people should strive to do something that makes them happy. Money isn't everything and spending time working in a passion area will provide riches beyond anything raw cash can deliver.

Yes, the bills need paying, so there's a balance, but you shouldn't be scared to walk away from situations/work/careers if deep down you know it's making you unhappy or unfulfilled. After that, it's family and friends. All too easy to take them for granted and expect they'll always be there. It's important we make time to cultivate those relationships and just do things with them. Even the mundane stuff like breaking bread with people is so so valuable. It's healthy for the soul. Happiness is a state of mind that anyone can achieve but the road won't be easy, and that's ok too. If it wasn't a challenge then getting fulfilment from it would be increasingly difficult if not impossible.

“No one can build you the bridge on which you, and only you, must cross the river of life.” - Friedrich Nietzsche

Phew, that was a intereting read wasn't it? Sometimes it's nice to get the philosophical stream of consciousness out of the way and reflect on the things you do have in life. Changing your perception from wanting to having will undoubtedly produce great results in your personal lives so why not give it a try. It's free! Also a big thank you to Andrea, Toni, Jim, Abdel, Eshan and Annabel for joining me on this random adventure, hopefully there will be many more to come.

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Published by antondee in Creative Blog, DVSN Updates, Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle, Photography, Travel

13th August 2017 — No Comments

Rome, Italy

They say all roads lead to Rome and that's exactly where we ended up on the last leg of our European adventure. After visiting Greece and France and spending a few days living on a boat, a few hours in the European capital of culture was in order. Last time in Rome I strayed off the beaten path and visited EUR, a site chosen for the 1942 world's fair by Benito Mussolini. This time because of time constraints we decided to explore the city and visit an art gallery that you won't find in many guidebooks. Sometimes it pays to be spontaneous.

SANTORINI // MYKONOS // NICE // ROME

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Caput Mundi

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The Roman Empire, at its height (c. 117 CE), was the most extensive political and social structure in western civilisation. Throughout its history it has given us things such as currency, roads, architectural and political improvements as well as laying the foundations for art booms such as the Italian Renaissance. At the time the city of Rome was the largest city in the world and was confirmed as Caput Mundi, i.e. the capital of the world. Every street feels shrouded in history and it's difficult to comprehend the buzz of the city that saw hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets to drink, socialise and watch the latest gladiator fights.

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Doria Pamphilj Gallery

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In the heart of Rome you will find Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, a palace that houses the private art collection of one of the most noble Italian families the Doria Pamphilj. The gallery is built upon the original family residence dating back to the start of the 16th century and has seen numerous additions and expansions over the last 500 years. Each room in the gallery is meticulously styled by a different artist and reflects their personal and political views at the time. For example 'The Gallery of Mirrors' (below) was designed by Gabriele Valvassori towards 1730. The frescoes on the ceiling are of the Bolognese painter Aureliano Miani and are dated between 1731 and ‘34. The subject, Labours of Hercules, was connected to an imaginative idea of the Pamphilj family tree, which supposedly could be traced back to a nephew of the Greek hero. (SOURCE)

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Since its completion some real masterpieces have found home in the Doria Pamphilj Gallery. Historic pieces by the young Caravaggio and Guercino decorate the rooms as well as marble sculptures by Alessandro Algardi. Vintage furniture and enormous chandeliers are dotted throughout to fully complete the look and feel of a residence of 16th century nobility. It's easy to forget that Prince Doria Pamphilj and his family still occupy 10 rooms in the palace and as a patron of Italian art it's his voice you can hear on the guidebook should you come for a visit. We found this space completely by chance and considering how close it is to Altar of the Fatherland and the Colosseum there were very few tourists there. If you're a lover of art and history this is a place you don't want to miss.

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Published by antondee in Art & Design, Creative Blog, DVSN Updates, Lifestyle, Photography, Travel

4th August 2017 — No Comments

Santorini, Greece

I consider myself a pretty spontaneous individual so when a chance to visit Greece, France and Italy in the space of a week landing in my inbox, I found it difficult to resist. I always considered cruises to be for the older generation and in some ways I was right. You're confined to a boat with limited entertainment and extortionate prices but every two days or so you get to explore a new city and all the troubles are forgotten. First stop on our itinerary was Greece, the home of language, mathematics, law and philosophy. A lot has changed since the ancient times but the ethos of that culture remains to this day. Come explore the volcanic island of Santorini with me or use the links below to jump directly to the other cities:

SANTORINI // MYKONOS // NICE // ROME

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Fira, Santorini

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Santorini is located between the islands of Ios and Anafi and is actually equidistant between Greece and Turkey which makes for some scorching temperatures throughout the year. Tourists come here for the dramatic views, stunning sunsets and pure black, white and red beaches. The town of Thira is also just a few miles away and has an active volcano if you wanna add a bit of excitement to your hikes. Because of time constraints we only got the chance to explore the main cliff-perched town of Fira and yet managed to stuff our faces with gyros wraps and take some stunning drone pictures of the surrounding area.

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As a lover of architecture it was fun to walk the white cobblestone streets while being surrounded by Venetian and Cycladic architecture dating back to the 14th century. Through the Middle Ages and up to the 18th century safety was a key concern on the islands so to protect themselves from pirates the architecture of that time is largely of a defensive nature. Over the centuries that threat has disappeared and the towns of Ola, Pygos and Fira have grown considerably due to the ever increasing number of tourists that come to visit. The hustle and bustle of shops, restaurants, hotels and cafes that line the streets was somewhat intoxicating.

santorini greece nature

If you're arriving by sea then getting into Fira itself can be tricky if you don't use the cable car. You can hire a donkey to complete the journey but as an animal lover I would not recommend that after seeing the treatment these donkeys get from their owners. The only alternate route is walking the 588 zigzagging steps up the cliff side which is also not advisable due to the scorching temperatures. On the island itself it's very easy to hire a scooter, quad bike or car for the day for reasonable prices and explore the island at your leisure. At cable car drop off you can also find guides who will take you on tours around the island on a bus or a boat.

A word of warning if you're here on a cruise. The shops will try to sell you wine to take back to the cruise ship but most companies do not allow outside alcohol to be brought on board. You can always just down as much as you can before heading back but there is a big chance you will miss the ferry back and the cruise will leave without you. A horrible situation to be in. Luckily I was joined by my friends Jim and Annabel who made the entire trip heaps of fun and gave me the opportunity to photograph something other than buildings. Make sure to keep an eye out for another one of my New Faces posts for the full set of pics.

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Published by antondee in Creative Blog, DVSN Updates, Lifestyle, Photography, Travel

29th July 2017 — No Comments

Florence & Siena, Italy

If you're looking for a quintessential Italian experience then look no further than Florence and Siena. Both are steeped in culture and have a long history stretching back to Etruscan times around 200BC. These cities have helped the development of art, literature, music, cuisine as well as science in Italy, not to mention their immeasurable beauty and impact on culture. Should an opportunity to visit Tuscany arise you owe it to yourself to experience these cities, if only for a few hours.

CINQUE TERRE // FLORENCE & SIENA // NAPLES // AMALFI COAST

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I first came across Florence as a naive teenager. I still remember playing Assassins Creed at 19 and climbing the dome of the Florence Cathedral. That day I said to myself that I have to see this architectural gem for real and 7 years later my dream came true. The work on Il Duomo di Firenze, (as it is ordinarily called) begun in 1296 and was not officially completed until 1436. The dome itself took around 16 years to complete. This period in Italian history (1300s through the 1500s) helped set the tone of the Italian Renaissance and the construction of Duomo Cathedral of Florence allowed the city to display its growing power and wealth.

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Florence

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The Duomo of Florence was especially important because of three unique features that helped spark the Renaissance and inspire artists and engineers across Europe. Brunelleschi's dome pushed the limits of what architecture could achieve by using new techniques to reduce the weight of a massive structure; Giotto's bell tower used geometric symmetry to create a classically beautiful structure; and Ghiberti's doors re-introduced spatial realism to Italian art. Together, these created the foundations of Renaissance thinking, the benefits of which are still felt to this day. (SOURCE)

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Siena

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Less than 100km south of Florence we find another beautiful Italian city Siena. Described as a giant, open-air museum celebrating Italian Romanesque-Gothic architecture, Siena is equally famous for its cuisine, art, museums, medieval cityscape and the Palio, a horse race held twice a year. Visitors can also spend time wandering its mazy streets, visitings the Piazza del Campo as well as the Siena Cathedral and its surrounding museums.

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We ended up visiting the Santa Maria della Scala museum (which used to be a hospital) as I wanted to experience their famous interior frescoes with my own eyes. This main section of Santa Maria della Scala is called the Pellegrinaio, or Pilgrim's Hall. The Pilgrim's Hall is a vast arched room entirely decorated with a cycle of frescoes depicting the hospital's history in the 14th century. I decided to spend 30 minutes sitting in one place just to take the shot you see here and yet I don't feel that it captured the size or the beauty of the area as a whole. Just like the Sistine Chapel you have to see it for real to really appreciate how something like this was made hundreds and hundreds of years before you were born. The subterranean areas of the museum are dedicated to archeological finds and the Etruscan history of the city. Although less spectacular than the 14th-century frescoes this city within a city is well worth worth the price of admission.

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If history isn't your cup of tea there are plenty of other activities you can try to keep busy. If you have a camera with you why not try your hand at street photography? Anyone can shoot tourist traps or a building that doesn't move, but snapping that perfect shot, capturing that fleeting moment is what photography is all about. You can Google pictures of Siena and see the essence of the city but taking that perfect shot that you can look over years later, and be reminded of the feelings you had at the time is truly unique. So that's my challenge to anyone reading this. Go out there and take some interesting pictures that you will be proud of years down the line. You don't need to have an expensive camera (literally and iPhone will do), all you need is enthusiasm, a general idea of what you want to shoot and a little bit of confidence. You'll be surprised at what you can achieve if you just put your mind and a bit of planning into it. So go, explore and in the wise words of Robin Williams "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary".

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As always stay classy and if you have a story you wish to share please contact editorial@thestyledivision.com or tag your social posts with #DVSN

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Published by antondee in Creative Blog, DVSN Updates, Lifestyle, Photography, Travel

29th July 2017 — No Comments

Naples, Italy

Day 3 of our Italian adventure took us to the wonderful city of Naples which is known for its rich history, pizza (which originated in the city) and passionate football fans. Maradona football shirts are still sold in shops which shows how much he's revered in these parts. In my eyes Naples exemplifies the Italian way of life. It's loud and boisterous, with locals whizzing around on mopeds down its narrow streets without a care in the world.

CINQUE TERRE // FLORENCE & SIENA // NAPLES // AMALFI COAST

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A Spot of Culture

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Naples has one of the biggest historical city centres in the world which has earned it the UNESCO World Heritage Site denomination. Naples contains 448 historical and monumental churches (Gesù Nuovo above) which is the highest number in the world for a single city. These Medieval, Baroque and Renaissance-era churches, castles and palaces cement Naples as a centre of art and architecture in Italy. This claim was helped further following the discovery of the remarkably intact Roman ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii in the 18th century.

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Even though the city centre has a rich history it can be somewhat of an acquired taste. There is rampant graffiti, crime, and a peculiar layer of dirt that covers everything in sight. Don't expect to see pristine conditions of other major European cities. If you want to visit the elegant part of the city, you can walk around the wonderful Lungomare (the Riviera di Chiaia or Via Francesco Caracciolo), and visit Via dei Mille and Vomero Hill (main shopping areas). I would also recommend you visit Castel Sant'Elmo, a medieval fortress located on a hilltop which overlooks the city and its surrounding area.

From this fortress I was able to give my new drone a proper test flight and as you can see the shots this thing captures are incredible. It's a DJI Mavic Pro which means it has a built in 4k camera that shoots photos and videos with a max range of around 4 miles. This means I can avoid tourist traps and take pictures without feeling stifled. As a futurist it's fascinating to see the the drop in cost and progress of technology first hand. A decade ago these were tools of movie directors, now anybody with some spare change can get one and experiment to their hearts content.

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Napoli is famous for its cuisine as it draws culinary influences from the numerous cultures which have inhabited it over the course of its history, including the Greeks, Spanish and French. Naples is traditionally credited as the home of pizza so it would be a shame not to stuff your face should you ever visit. Just make sure to order a Margherita and get it cooked in a wood-burning oven to get the authentic experience.

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Naples is famous for more than pizza: there’s coffee, too. Neapolitan coffee is short and very, very strong. The edge is taken off its bitter strength with sugar; if you don’t want your coffee to come already sugared, ask for it amaro. On a closing note, Naples is the crime capital of Italy and although we didn't experience any misfortunes it pays to stay alert and avoid unknown areas. Other than that, go, explore and have fun!

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Thanks for taking the time to read my latest article. If you wish to support my work please give it a share using the links below or just follow my social channels

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As always stay classy and if you have a story you wish to share please contact editorial@thestyledivision.com or tag your social posts with #DVSN

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Published by antondee in Creative Blog, DVSN Updates, Lifestyle, Photography, Travel

28th July 2017 — No Comments

Amalfi Coast, Italy

A recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Amalfi Coast lies in the southwestern region of Campania, Italy and is recognised worldwide for its cliff-side Mediterranean fishing villages, lemon tree gardens and idyllic seascapes. We spent a whole day around the Amalfi visiting places such as Atrani and Positano, sunbathing on scorching beaches and drinking lemon beer. Seriously don't know how I went 26 years without trying one but now there's no going back.

CINQUE TERRE // FLORENCE & SIENA // NAPLES // AMALFI COAST

The one place I wanted to photograph most of all on this trip was Atrani. Although Atrani is one of the smallest communes in southern Italy, it has a long history going back to the ancient Roman aristocracy. It became the residence of the most wealthy and powerful families of the Republic of Amalfi until the Pisani invasion in 1337. With little traffic or noise, Atrani is the perfect place to visit for a relaxing getaway. There are few bars and restaurants in the city itself so lounging on the beach with a book in hand is going to be your main activity. But don't fret, there's just one main road along the Amalfi coast so you're never far from adventure.

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Your Journey

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You know that old saying 'It's not the journey, it's the destination'? Well in some ways the drive around the Amalfi Coast was better than the villages we got to visit. Winding mountain roads, fresh sea air, good company and good music on the radio. What more could you ask for? I'm actually incredibly jealous of the people that get to live here because their way of life seems so relaxed and mellow that it's a stark contrast to the hectic nature of big cities. And yet everything seems to be ticking over, nothing is falling apart and everybody is enjoying their life. If stress gets the better of me I know where I'm moving at the drop of a hat.

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Positano

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Another gorgeous village along the Amalfi Coast is Positano. It acted as a port of the Amalfi Republic in medieval times, and prospered during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. By the mid-nineteenth century the towns population began to decline as the young generation moved to America. Since the 1950s it has attracted a large number of tourists and shows no sign of slowing down. If you find yourself in Positano you can charter a private boat and create your own adventure or soak up the beauty on either of Positano's two beaches: Fornillo (smaller and more secluded) or Spiaggia Grande (the main beach of Positano).

"It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone" - John Steinbeck on positano

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Thanks for taking the time to read my latest article. If you wish to support my work please give it a share using the links below or just follow my social channels

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As always stay classy and if you have a story you wish to share please contact editorial@thestyledivision.com or tag your social posts with #DVSN

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Published by antondee in Creative Blog, DVSN Updates, Lifestyle, Photography, Travel

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