Sunday 31 July 2011

The Journey Of Discovery









I have always been intrigued by Marco Polo's (1254-1324) travels. Even before I learned to read, I used to sit by the window and look at the pictures from an old book my father had, called "The Travels of Marco Polo".I used to dream of sailing off to faraway lands  for hours on the end. Marco Polo played a very important part in the prosperous East-West contact and some journeys took years yes, YEARS to complete.











He documented these journeys in the most famous travelogue of the middle ages. I loved looking at his sketches of mysterious lands and people. I particularly remember being fascinated by an island inhibited by dog-headed people. Imagine the excitement and allure of undiscovered lands, and coming back with strange flora, fauna and spices that nobody had heard of, or tasted before. So you can understand my excitement when  I read  that Omnia by Bvlgari was inspired by the spices that Marco polo found on his various famous voyages.


The bad news was that the particular perfume had already been discontinued, but I got lucky and found a small bottle in an even smaller shop.
My precious little bottle
When I sniffed it for the first time I was transported into the past. Old Spice bazaars of the East I swear I could even hear the sellers calling out their wares.You know how I get carried away.
Google image

This perfume is a soft oriental. The color of the bottle matches the scent perfectly. Amber brown reminiscent of the spices in it. Even though with swirls of  spices, it's still light and translucent maybe because of the lotus note and has an airy, creamy quality to it. Like a cup of  delicate black tea served with a splash of creamy milk and cardamom. Very well blended. None of the notes stand out alone. I can smell white chocolate,a hint of coffee,chai, spices, nuts and  the dusty scent of jute sacks that holds the spices. The silage is quite weak making it a skin scent but I don't really mind. It stays on my skin for 5 hours or so. It's unique and delicious for the colder months. I paid Rs.2000 for my small 40ml bottle.

  • CATEGORY: ORIENTAL
Top Notes: Ginger, Saffron, Mandarin Orange, Cardamom
Middle Notes: Nutmeg, Cinnamon, cloves, Almond, Masala chai, Lotus
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Woodsy Notes, White chocolate, Sandalwood.


FLANKERS:

Omnia Amethyste

Omnia Crystalline
Omnia Coral

Omnia Green Jade


15 comments:

sashalovemac said...

This sounds really good.

Viya ;) said...

Whoa! For once i thought you had wandered off to history and was looking forward for a marco polo story and bam! there's the perfume :D ... The way you have described the 'Spices of the east' instantly reminded me of the movie "Mistress of Spices"... and I've loved the aroma of spices ( thanks for the brought up in a typical Indian household :P ).. Omg! I just can't wait to own a Saffron perfume! Looks posh! and for some reason it reminds me valleys of Kashmir.. :)

Pandora`s Box said...

@sashalovesmac Love it

@Viya Lol sorry for getting carried away as usual :P I have read The Mistress Of Spices the book. Must be beautiful on screen. Will surely see it. Kashmir and saffron will always go hand in hand. I think you guys call it Kaiser right? Love it's aroma and the color is amazing. we use it a lot in Persian cooking as well.

Su said...

I love Omnia! It is a masterpiece in my books! Well said, it does take me through a spice market, not so exotic, very close to home :)

I think you scored yourself a bargain, for such a wonderful perfume :)

Pandora`s Box said...

@Su I have yet to meet someone who didn't like it.I wonder why they discontinued it. The flankers are here to stay I guess.

Mania said...

I love Omina but didn't know they were inspired by Marco polo 's journeys , you always post the most fascinating stuff really lovely to read thanks dear. I had the amythst one which I got last summer in a small bottle finished it up, so light & fresh perfect for summer times :) have a great week & looking forward to your new posts Hun xoxo

Aiman said...

Your best post in recent history. I specially loved the part where you described the scent, i think i can never do such review in million years.

I am still wondering, how come you buy all this expensive stuff so regularly to reviw. sorry for me being dumb.

Pandora`s Box said...

@Mania Only the first Omnia the brown one that I reviewd is inspired by his journeys. The other flankers were inspired by the color,touch and feel of the stones they were named after. I haven't tried the amethyst. I'm sure its lovely.Thanks for stopping by :)

@Aiman you're not being dumb at all. Just curious :) I don't buy them for writing reviews. See the box on my profile? It contains nothing but perfumes:) I have been a perfume collector for years now.I either buy them myself or get them as gifts as everyone around me knows of my addiction lol.

Zatheela said...

BEAUTIFUL! :-D
wonder why its discontinued..

Viya ;) said...

yep.. We call it "Kesari" down south and North mein its called "Kesar" ... I lovveee the colour of it especially in Badam milk! :) :D

Pandora`s Box said...

@ZatZ it's tragic :)

@Viya Haha! long live RajniKanth. Lowe him.

Flaviana Boni said...

nice post!

new post on my blog!
Dress up for armageddon

Unknown said...

I love this post specially the part were you described the scent. LOVELY


<3 Marina
Fashion.MakeUp.LifeStyle

Sara said...

Grrrreat post! haven't tried it but sounds really good :)

Venus Loves Virgo said...

Great! I love the way you wrote this!
And Bulgari rocks! if I had CA$H I would give it all to Bulgari Jewels. XOXO

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