THE SCENT RISES IN THE EAST Experiencing The Orient With Oriental Fragrances

Oriental scents, with their fragrant spices, deep musks and resins, exotic flowers, and sweet warm woods, instantly conjure up images of the Eastern world—- of narrow-aisled markets selling bright fabrics and grains in large bins, of exotic cuisines and colorful architecture. It is the heaviest fragrance family: warm, rich and sultry.

Oriental fragrances rely heavily on intense and intoxicating notes like amber, musks, vanilla, and exotic resins, flowers and spices. Depending on the concentration of these notes, scents of this fragrance family can be further broken down into sub-categories like Oriental-Green, Oriental-Fruity, Oriental-Spicy, or Oriental-Woody. Oriental perfumes have long been a staple in the realm of sensual and romantic scents.

“The Orient” is a geographical representation, the borders of which have shifted significantly throughout the centuries as explorers pushed further and further East towards the Pacific Ocean. Generally, The Orient refers to Eastern Asia—- from India and Pakistan to the furthest beaches of Japan. The term “Orient” comes from the Latin word “oriens”, meaning “east” and “orior”, which means “rise”, referring to the sun, which always rises in the East.

No need to worry about the 18-hour flight, when you can relax here and let Perfume.com experts take you on a voyage through some highlights of both The Orient and the Oriental fragrance family.

Start your tour in INDIA, where the colourful, bustling city of Mumbai will perk you right up after the flight. Catch an authentic Bollywood movie in the birthplace of Indian cinema and afterwards, grab some fresh curried mango at a restaurant overlooking the Mahim Bay. Sport some ambery-spicy Youth Dew by Estee Lauder to complement all the aromas of Mumbai’s large and busy street markets.

Next, try CHINA for some great architecture and delicious dumplings. It’s easy to soak up culture and tradition here in the land of this ancient civilization, and a stroll around the Forbidden City or atop the Great Wall is a great reflection of some of the amazing feats and abilities of the Chinese people throughout their long history. Try a once-forbidden Oriental scent, the carnal Shalimar by Guerlain, to match the adventure inside Forbidden City walls.

THAILAND is a great place to take in sights and sports, from the country’s renowned floating market to a showing of the popular Muay Thai style of boxing. Don’t forget to schedule in a few days for some strict beach time too though—- Thailand is globally popular for its scenic sand spots, and is in fact where Leo DiCaprio: filmed the popular movie The Beach. Get fresh with Oriental-Green perfume, Vivenne Westwood’s Boudoir.

Next take a tour through MALAYSIA, where you’re able to sun on some of the best beaches and then trek right into the jungle rainforests for a trip full of unbelievable adventure—- and maybe some monkey spotting. For a much needed concrete break afterward, visit the thriving metropolis of Kuala Lampur, where you can enjoy some of Eastern Asia’s best spicy cuisine. Wear spicy “Opium”: http://www.perfume.com/yves-saint-laurent/opium/women-perfume to dinner.

Visit the villages of VIETNAM for a warm and culture-rich experience you won’t soon forget, where locals are eager to teach visitors their many customs and traditions. Vietnam offers a number of islands to explore as well, full of hiking trails, caves, and historical landmarks. Soak up the culture with one of the Oriental fragrance family’s historical treasures, Dior’s Hypnotic Poison .

End your tour of The Orient in JAPAN, where you can ride your bicycle through busy city streets or along the coast of the peaceful Pacific. Explore Tokyo, the world’s largest metropolis at a population of 12 million people, before you retreat into the back country to take in the country’s lush landscapes and unique architecture. Mimic Japan’s sensual and mysterious Geisha culture with deep and mysterious Obsession perfume.

If you can’t get away to another continent, spritz some Oriental perfume, close your eyes, and let your imagination take you where your legs can’t.

By Jessica Linnay
Published November 2nd, 2009 13:31

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