Essential Magazine February 2015 by Essential Magazine

COMPLIMENTARY EDITION

TRAVEL TO THE

ORIENT

I S S U E 1 8 6 • F E B R UA RY 2 0 1 5

ESSENTIAL FOR LUXURIOUS LIVING

N º186 - FEBRUARY 2015

essential essential magazine® marbella

MARBELLA

THE ART OF THE

Dragon

CHINA FASHION WEEK

FAN

BING BING

Lexus

China

CHANGING

RX 450h YEAR OF THE GOAT

EURASIAN

VULTURES

N E W S I C U LT U R E I P E O P L E I T R E N D I S T Y L E I S PA I P R O I L E I S U R E I G O U R M E T & M O R E

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Enclosed: 976 m² Plot: 2,560 m² Price: € 5,350,000

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

Stunning modern masterpiece in a sought-after area of the Golf Valley. Recently rebuilt to highest standards, this 5 bedroom property boasts incredible sea views, open-plan living, kitchen and dining area, and a wonderful space for entertainment with bar, home cinema, gym and spa. Ref. 8115

Enclosed: 342 m² Plot: 1,555 m² Price: € 2,450,000

LA QUINTA Frontline golf! Magniﬁcent contemporary 4-bedroom villa. Recently built to high standards, within a gated community of villas. Ref. 8328

Enclosed: 267 m² Including terrace Price: € 1,150,000

PUENTE ROMANO Huge luxurious 2-bedroom

Enclosed: 655 m² Plot: 2,448 m² Price: € 2,500,000

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA Frontline golf! 6-bedroom

Enclosed: 298 m² Plot: 1,046 m² Price: € 895,000

RONDA ROAD Quality 4-bedroom family home

villa with fabulous views over Las Brisas golf course. Paddle tennis court and complete privacy. Ref. 8482

beachside apartment with private garden in a soughtafter area. Top quality. Ref. 8257

offering privacy and with great views of La Concha. Priced to sell. Ref. 8542

An International Associate of Savills

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Enclosed: 306 m² Plot: 556 m² Price on Application

MARBELLA CLUB HOTEL Exclusive 4-bedroom villa in the grounds of this famous 5-star hotel, with all its facilities at hand. Recently refurbished to very high standards. Within walking distance of the MC Café, Hotel, shops, boutiques and the beach. An exceptional home in a top location! Ref. 7349

Enclosed: 591 m² Plot: 2,392 m² Price: € 4,950,000

GOLDEN MILE Contemporary style mansion with

incredible sea views. 7 en-suite bedrooms. Ideal location, walking distance to beach and amenities. Ref. 7813

Enclosed: 554 m² Plot: 2,000 m² Price: € 2,375,000

HACIENDA LAS CHAPAS Stunning Balinese style 8-bedroom mansion in Marbella East. 24-hour security, high speciﬁcations, gym, chill out area. Ref. 8543

Enclosed: 169 m² Terrace: 98 m² Price: € 1,050,000

RÍO REAL PLAYA Beachfront. Luxurious contemporary style apartment. Previously 3 bedrooms totally renovated into 2 bedrooms. Ref. 8559

Enclosed: 536 m² Plot: 1,697 m² Price: € 1,950,000

CASCADA DE CAMOJÁN Spacious 5-bedroom villa with panoramic views. Established complex with 24-hour security. Lots of potential. Ref. 8025

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Issue 186 • February 2015

S T A F F PUBLISHER AND DIRECTOR

IAIN BLACKWELL director@essentialmagazine.com

GENERAL MANAGER

ANDREA BÖJTI sales@essentialmagazine.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

MARISA CUTILLAS editorial@essentialmagazine.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER SALES SUPPORT

SUSANNE WHITAKER design@essentialmagazine.com JAN DENDAUW jan@essentialmagazine.com RÉKA VIDÁTS reka@essentialmagazine.com

ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

MARIANO JEVA cuentas@essentialmagazine.com MONIKA BÖJTI info@essentialmagazine.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR ANDREA BÖJTI DESIGN & LAYOUT INMA AURIOLES STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER KEVIN HORN (WWW.PHOTOGRAPHERMARBELLA.COM) CONTRIBUTING WRITERS BELINDA BECKETT, IAIN BLACKWELL, FEE BROOKES BUTLIN, MICHEL CRUZ, CRISTINA FALKENBERG, RIK FOXX, RUSSELL GRANT, CARLOS READ, TONY WHITNEY

PRINTING JIMÉNEZ GODOY A. GRÁFICAS, MURCIA DEPÓSITO LEGAL D.L. MA-512-99

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICES COMPLEJO LA PÓVEDA, BLQ. 3, 1º A, CN 340, KM 178, 29600 MARBELLA, MÁLAGA. TEL: 952 766 344 FAX: 952 766 343

ESSENTIAL MARBELLA MAGAZINE

@ESSENTIALEDITOR

www.essentialmagazine.com Member of the Association of Spanish Periodical Publications affiliated to:

conditions:

The publishers make every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct, but cannot accept Marbella Magazine cannot accept responsibility for the effects of errors or omissions. responsibility for the claims, goods or services of advertisers. Marbella Magazine. © Publicaciones Independientes Costa del Sol S.L. for No part of this magazine, including texts, photographs, illustrations, maps or any other graphics may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Publicaciones Independientes Costa del Sol S.L. Printed on recyclable paper, produced without wood and bleached without chlorine.

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con contents The Trend Cinema 18 Home Viewing 20 Music 22 Books 24 Gadgets 26 Cars: The Lexus RX 450h 28

The Focus The Year of the Goat 32 Chinese Art 38 Fan Bing Bing 42 Chinese Teacher: Yìng Yìng Xu 44 Kung Fu Master: Sifu Joe Williams 46

The Style Fashion: White Collar at the MercedesBenz China Fashion Week 48 Fashion News 54

The Spa Beauty: Healing Herbs for PMS 58 Soaking it in: Coolest Bath Products 60 Health: Chinese Medicine 62 Health News 64 Health Profile: Afshan Morgan of Mind Matters 66

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The Pro 68 Enterprise 76 Finance: Debt Collection

The Leisure 78 Luxurious China 84 Nature: The Griffon Vulture

The Gourmet 93 Bo Innovation 94 Lincoln Lo from Tai Pan 96 Food News 98 Acontia Bombones 100 Wine in China

The Guide 102 Listings

The Blog 109 Pet News 110 What’s On 112 Stars for February 114 Family Fun

1/26/15 1:27 PM

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Villa - Las Brisas, Nueva Andalucía 4 Beds 4 Baths Ref: DM3397

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Penthouse - Marbella Golden Mile 3 Beds 2 Baths Ref: DM3395

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publisher’s letter WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL

ith the planet’s largest single population and an economy which is becoming a real powerhouse, there’s no denying China’s importance as a major player on the world’s stage. In this issue, coinciding with the Chinese New Year on February 19th, we focus on the People’s Republic as it enjoys an unprecedented economic growth. This month, the Year of the Horse gives way to the Year of the Goat which could be an auspicious year for those born in 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991 and 2003. Come with us on a visit to some of the most luxurious destinations in China. We also look at Chinese Art, Medicine and Fashion, as diverse as they are different. You may not have heard of multi-talented Fan Bing Bing, actress, television producer and

pop singer, but undoubtedly you will have soon as she is huge in China and has topped the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2013 and 2014. Another personality making waves from his 3 Michelin-starred restaurant, Bo Innovation in Hong Kong, is ‘The Demon Chef’, Alvin Leung. Locally, we talk with Yìng Yìng Xu, a teacher of Chinese here on the coast; Lincoln Lo who is the founder of Marbella’s most revered Chinese restaurant, Tai Pan; and Sifu Joe Williams, a Kung Fu instructor who has recently opened a new school in Estepona. Elsewhere, don’t miss our review of the luxurious new Lexus RX 450h, our interview with Psychologist Afshan Morgan, and the wonderful wine-filled chocolates from Acontia, which could make the perfect Valentine’s day present!

Changing

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Villa Granada is located in Altos de Puente Romano in a natural setting, in the heart of the exclusive Golden Mile, granting the privilege of living in a private complex with 24-hour security cameras and specialised personnel.

Where classic and contemporary styles find perfect harmony Elegance and contemporary style have been combined in this outstanding villa that enjoys superb views across the garden and pool to the Mediterranean. An extensive hall welcomes you into this charming villa with 1,100 m2 of ample interior spaces. An open plan living and dining room, modern fully fitted kitchen with breakfast corner and guest room en-suite, all lead to a large covered terrace. Large spaces full of light On the first floor you find the south facing master bedroom en-suite with spectacular views of the swimming pool, gardens, pool house and the sea. The space offers independence and privacy with a cosy salon, large walk-in wardrobe and its own terrace. The villa has five spacious bedrooms and five bathrooms en-suite. All the furniture and finishes are bespoke, allowing the space to become personal, sophisticated & special. The four levels of this villa can all be reached by elevator and stairs. On the lower level is the spa area with a large indoor pool, leisure room, gym and sauna, games room with bar and a further 2 guest bedrooms and full bathroom. The solarium has a Jacuzzi and wooden built-in sun loungers with enough space for a large sitting area with 360º degree breathtaking views.

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trend

WORDS MARISA CUTILL

CINEMA

e BLOCKBUSTER » GENRE

Romance

» DIRECTOR

Sam Taylor-Johnson (Nowhere Boy)

» ACTORS

Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Luke Grimes

OF THE MONTH

t-selling Millions of fans of bes des of Sha romance novel, 50 to see up ng uei que be Grey, will ian rist Ch d an Anastasia Steele e and lov of ds un bo the t Grey tes ghter dau n, nso Joh passion. Dakota n Do d an th ffi Gri ie of Melan Anastasia, Johnson, gives life to dent stu ure rat lite ng the you e down sid up d ne whose life is tur with a aire lion mil s rou mo by a gla games. bed y ght penchant for nau igmatic en the ys pla n rna Do Jamie to tell. ry sto a h entrepreneur wit

50 Shades of Grey

» GENRE Drama » DIRECTOR Will Gluck (Easy A) » ACTORS Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané

Wallis, Cameron Diaz, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale

Annie

The little foster girl with the ‘hard knock life’ is the undisputed star of one of Broadway’s most famous musicals and, this year, Director Will Gluck takes Annie into the new millennium with a savvy film set in New York. Originally left in an orphanage by her parents with the promise they would be back for her one day, Annie grows up with her mean-spirited foster mum, Miss Hannigan, only to be ‘saved’ by the thinly veiled political campaign of a cunning New York mayoral candidate.

» GENRE Action » DIRECTOR Michael Mann (Transformers)

» ACTORS Chris Hemsworth,

Viola Davis, William Mapother

Blackhat

Chris Hemsworth plays an ex convict who works alongside his talented associates in the US and China, to infiltrate a powerful network of cyber criminals who dominate the dark side of the Internet in Los Angeles, Jakarta and Hong Kong.

» GENRE Science Fiction » DIRECTORS Andy and Lana

Wachowski (Matrix) » ACTORS Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, Sean Bean

Jupiter Ascending

Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) works as a cleaner, completely impervious to her destiny: bringing an end to the evil Queen of the Universe and her reign of terror. Jupiter’s awakening begins the day a genetically modified ex-military man, Caine (Channing Tatum) arrives on Earth to beg her to save the Planet.

» GENRE Drama » DIRECTOR Claudia Llosa (The Milk of Sorrow)

» ACTORS Jennifer Connelly,

Cillian Murphy, Mélanie Laurent

Aloft

Jennifer Connelly plays Nana, a struggling mum who evolves into a great artist and healer. A young journalist (Mélanie Laurent) finds Nana’s son, Ivan (Cillian Murphy), 20 years after she abandoned him. As mother and son start to discover more about each other’s past, they begin to understand that they need to build their relationship if they are to have a chance at lasting happiness.

18 / FEBRUARY 2015 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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trend HOME VIEWING

Marisa Cutillas brings us a few of the season’s top DVD releases. » GENRE Comedy/Drama » DIRECTOR John Carney

» ACTORS Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld » IMDB RATING 7.5/10

Begin Again

Begin Again is Director, John Carney’s ode to music, especially music from golden eras like the 1980s. The affable Mark Ruffalo plays a washed up music producer who decides to back a promising talent (Keira Knightley) owing to her independent spirit and unique artistry.

Chef » GENRE Comedy » DIRECTOR Jon Favreau (Cowboys and Aliens)

» ACTORS Sofía Vergara, Jon Favreau, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson

» IMDB RATING 7.3/10

ASE OF THE MON FEATURED DVD RELE

» GENRE Action/

Adventure

» DIRECTOR

James Gunn (Dawn of the Dead) » ACTORS Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper

» IMDB RATING 8.3/10

edy proves that This epic adventure com and the time of their lives, superheroes can have ds lea tt Pra ris y’re at it. Ch save the world while the he as rd’, r-Lo ‘Sta (or ill Qu a talented cast as Peter who legendary adventurer likes to call himself), a yed pla in ass ass y (a sex teams up with Gamora erful the Destructor (a pow by Zoe Saldana), Drax ing talk (a ket Roc a), tist beast played by Dave Bau ot Gro and er) op Co y dle racoon voiced by Bra th e with incredible streng (an extra-terrestrial tre bunch d od The ). sel Die Vin and loyalty, voiced by ve heaven and earth to of crusaders must mo ere from falling into the prevent a powerful sph my. ene l rta mo hands of their

Jon Favreau plays a talented haute cuisine Chef who loses his job and decides to start up a food truck to reclaim his creative abilities and build his relationship with his ex-wife and son.

y x la a G e h t f o s n ia d r a u G » GENRE Comedy » DIRECTOR Seth McFarlane (American Dad) » ACTORS Seth McFarlane, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried

» IMDB RATING 6.2/10

A Million Ways to Die in the West Comical Westerns may have been made in the past, but this film, brainchild of American Dad creator, Seth McFarlane, is one of the best. It delves into all the stereotypes of Western films, and features a heroine that could teach a thing or two to any aspiring cowboy.

Sex Tape » GENRE Comedy » DIRECTOR Jake

Kasdan (Walk Hard) » ACTORS Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Rob Corddry » IMDB RATING 5.1/10

Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel play a middle aged couple who decide to spice up their flailing sex life by make a sex tape. The next day, they are surprised to find that the video has been automatically uploaded to the Cloud, threatening to give friends, bosses and family members the shock of a lifetime.

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trend MUSIC

¿QUÉ PASA? WORDS RIK FOXX

As we go to press all is quiet on the Costa concert front but there’s bound to be something arranged at the last minute so check your local press by the week. But for any connoisseurs of early 1990s indie-rock – a date for your diary – March 5, EVAN DANDO, lead singer of the LEMONHEADS, is doing an acoustic set at Granada’s Sala Boogaclub – Ticket info: www.ticketea.com. Also, at the time of writing all the information below was correct.

an unnamed rival. Ms PERRY was due to reveal a new song at the Superbowl, She’s So Creepy, also said to be about an unnamed rival – now girls, let’s play nice. Also off to a good start this year is RITA ORA, a new judge on UK TV’s The Voice and set to star in one of 2015’s most anticipated films – 50 Shades of Grey. Mentor JAY Z has big plans for her but talk suggests that label stable mate RIHANNA is far from happy about her rival’s new found fame as she is loved by all while the latter’s diva mannerisms upset almost everybody who has to work for her.

So, who’s gonna be big in 2015? KATY PERRY got off on the right foot as the scheduled headliner at the prestigious half-time show at the Superbowl to an estimated global TV audience of around 115 million during the early hours of February 2. Joining her on stage was LENNY KRAVITZ (Marbella bound this summer) and other guests were due to be announced after our deadline – one definitely not on that list was TAYLOR SWIFT – there’s no love lost between the two and the latter’s song Bad Blood from her recent 1989 album was about

London electronic pop trio YEARS & YEARS topped a 15-act list to win the much coveted BBC Sound of 2015 award and a possible gateway to stardom. Former winners include ADELLE, ELLIE GOULDING, JESSIE J and SAM SMITH. They are fronted by OLLY ALEXANDER, who appeared in the cult TV show Skins.

PJ HARVEY, who is back in the studio making a new album, has come up with a way of making money on it before it is even released – by selling tickets to watch the current recordings being laid down: “I hope visitors will be able to experience the flow and energy of the recording process.” No, this is not an early April Fools stunt – there is a possibility that the DALAI LAMA will make an appearance at June’s Glastonbury Festival. According to his UK representatives, the Buddhist guru is up for appearing on the Sunday morning Pyramid Stage slot. Only one act has been confirmed so far – LIONEL RITCHIE.

And rumours continue about OASIS playing at the aforementioned festival, much to the annoyance of NOEL GALLAGHER who said he doesn’t want to work with his “crazy” brother again and LIAM “should make a solo record and put his balls on the line”. The two are said to be back on talking terms again and NOEL revealed he has an “albums worth” of unreleased OASIS songs. His new single, Ballad Of The Mighty I, is out February 23 with the new LP, Chasing Yesterday, landing a week later. Another one to frown about – on February 3 BOB DYLAN releases his 36th studio album, Shadows In The Night, featuring 10 original FRANK SINATRA songs. The 73-year-old said, “It was a real privilege; I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time but was never brave enough to approach 30-piece complicated arrangements and refine them down for a five-piece band.” Two dates for TV viewers – on the 8th, MADONNA, U2 and AC/DC will perform at the LA Grammy Awards; all three will play songs from their current or forthcoming albums. AC/DC recently sold out three gigs in Spain in no time

at all and this scribe is Madrid bound for their concert on May 31. Then on the 25th, BRUNO MARS, PHARRELL WILLIAMS and TAYLOR SWIFT headline the BRIT Awards 2015 at London’s O2 Arena. After the UK TV New Year’s Eve performance, many doubters have finally acknowledged ADAM LAMBERT singing with QUEEN – he’s no FREDDIE but this man can sing and BRYAN MAY said of the 2009 American Idol runner-up, “He can sing higher than even Freddie could in a live situation.” The singer himself said, “I’m trying to keep the memory alive, and remind people how amazing he was, without imitating him.” You doin’ a good job mate! JUSTIN BIEBER gave the world a late Xmas pressie when announcing on December 27 that he is taking a break from the music business and followed the statement with a break of a different kind – a foot – after being a marked man in more ways than one while playing football – he left the pitch on crutches after a nasty tackle – maybe the offender was a Liverpool fan as the pop *rat was wearing an Everton shirt. e

22 / FEBRUARY 2015 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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trend BOOKS

China on My Mind

We stick to this month’s theme and bring our readers the very best books about or inspired by the New Land of the Rising Sun… WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

THE DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER BY CAO XUEQIN

Considered one of China’s Four Great Classical Novels, The Dream of the Red Chamber was written some time in the 18th century during the Qing Dynasty. Considered the very pinnacle of Chinese fiction, it illuminates readers on the rise and fall of the author’s own family, and of the Qing Dynasty as a whole. It was written to commemorate all the powerful women who surrounded the author in his youth: his friends, relatives and servants. The book is famed for its faithful representation of life, society and traditions in 18th-century China, as well as for its psychological depth.

ORACLE BONES: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME IN CHINA BY PETER HESSLER

A century ago, the world saw China as a land that never changes. Today, the country is one of the most dynamic and energetic places on earth. In Oracle Bones, former English teacher, Peter Hessler, delves into the human aspect of China’s transformation, exploring its links to the Western world by sharing the extraordinary lives of ordinary people.

WILD SWANS

THE GOOD EARTH

Wild Swans is the story of three generations of women in one family in China. It comprises the biographies of the writer’s grandmother and mother, as well as her own autobiography. The book has sold over 13 million copies and been translated into 37 languages. Each story is filled with emotion, starting with Chang’s grandmother, whose feet were bound as a child and who was given as a concubine to a warlord. Chang’s mother, meanwhile, was a major mover and shaker in the Communist movement during the civil war against the Kuomintang. Chang herself was born into the Communist elite but she took the bold move of questioning Mao and to this day, her books are still banned in China.

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the story of the rise and fall of Wang, a farmer who marries a freed slave. By working hard and living frugally, the couple manage to buy more land, only to be forced to abandon their farm to live in the city when famine strikes. Wang’s wife once again manages to turn their fortunes around, until they are finally able to afford to go back to their farm. Wang’s good judgement falters when he decides to take a young, pretty second wife. Time alone will open his eyes to how crucial his first wife was to his authentic happiness.

BY JUNG CHANG

BY PEARL S. BUCK

A THOUSAND YEARS OF GOOD PRAYERS BY YIYUN LI

Li’s renowned collection of 10 stories delves into the lives of everyday Chinese people struggling to adapt to the changing face of China and its culture. Extra is the story of Granny Lin, an old worker fired from her state-owned clothing factory and hired as a maid at a boarding school. Son is about an emigrant who returns home from the US, only to find that his mother has converted into a devout Christian. In Immortality, a boy is born with the same looks as Mao and he is hired to impersonate the great leader in propaganda films. Read these and many more intricate stories about the elusiveness of happiness, regardless of race, creed or culture.

24 / FEBRUARY 2015 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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trend ELECTRONICS

TOP GADGETS for your iPhone or iPad Few gadgets quite satisfy the tastes of savvy selfconfessed geeks as much as a new iPhone or iPad. If you’ve got your hand on the Apple device of your dreams, dress it up with one of these cool accessories. COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

Ampervan Speaker Campervans have always had a uniquely cool vibe; they are an icon of the 1960s and 1970s and they symbolise the musical revolution in many ways. This Ampervan Speaker may not take you back to Woodstock, but it will certainly do your music justice, with its Near Field Technology and five-watt speaker. i www.red5.co.uk

Hotdog iPhone Cover You’ll never miss your favourite treat while gazing at this ‘almost edible’ cover. i www.gettingpersonal.co.uk

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Moustache iPhone Cover In case you still weren’t aware, moustaches are ‘in’ this year… you’ve probably seen them on bags and clothing and now, even your phone case can achieve ‘it’ status with this funky cover. i www.design3000.es

XD Solarladefenster Solar Charger Eco warriors will love this slick looking solar powered charger. i www.design3000.de

Big Banana iPhone Case This cute iPhone case is the perfect present for the guy or gal who doesn’t mind monkeying around.

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trend MOTORING

LEXUS RX 450h

Luxury Hybrid Sport Utility-Crossover Luxury carmakers don’t always have a wide variety of sport utility models on their roster, but one manufacturer that can’t be accused of not covering every niche is Lexus, which had ﬁve at my last count. The company also has a wide choice of engines in its SUV ranges, including hybrids. WORDS TONY WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LEXUS

he Lexus RX 450h sits somewhere in the middle of the company’s range of SUV sizes. You can buy larger models and you can buy smaller ones, according to what your needs are, so the RX tends to be regarded by buyers as a ‘happy medium’. As with other Lexus products, the ‘h’ means it has a hybrid powertrain. Available only with all-wheel drive, as might be expected, the RX falls into the crossover category and is thus car-based rather than truck-based. This doesn’t mean it can’t handle moderate off-road usage, but it’s not intended to match a Land-Rover or a Jeep Wrangler when the going gets tough. What you get with this kind of design is comfort and refinement, rather than serious off-road capability. Lexus in Japan points out that RX stands for ‘Radiant

Crossover’ but thankfully, they haven’t emblazoned this on the rear hatch. The 450h has always been the best-selling hybrid SUV built by Lexus. There are three trim levels – Anniversario, F Sport and Luxury in ascending order of cost, but believe me, the basic RX is a very opulent vehicle. From a styling point of view, the RX is elegant and tasteful with lots of road presence, but without any exaggerated elements. The most prominent recognition clue is the big ‘bow tie’ grille, which seems to get larger every year (Lexus calls this a ‘spindle’ grille). The opening goes from the bonnet lip right down to the top of the bumper, relieved by horizontal chrome bars with a big Lexus badge in the middle. Some variants have a black ‘honeycomb’ grille. This ‘look’ is now a Lexus brand-identity

feature of all models, including the saloons. The doors are wide and the vehicle is easy to climb in and out of. The rear hatch opens wide to reveal lots of cargo space, which can be enhanced in the usual way by folding down the rear seats. The 450h powertrain is certainly a remarkable piece of engineering and incorporates the very best of Lexus/Toyota knowhow. Toyota has long been the world leader in the field of hybrid powerplants, outselling all rivals by a huge margin. Under the bonnet of the 450h is a 3.5-litre V-6 that’s mated to high-torque electric motors, a high-performance hybrid system battery and a sophisticated power management system. All this gets power to the wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission.

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This technology translates into a vehicle that delivers surprising refinement and lots of power. It’s a very quiet and relaxing experience to drive in this Lexus, but when some serious power is needed, the torque characteristics of electric motors come into play. The general feeling when you drive one of these is that the rig is far more powerful than it really is. This RX may not seem that potent on paper, given its 295-horsepower, but the boost from the electric motors really adds some punch, as indicated by an impressive zero to 100 km/h time. This power is delivered with great subtlety, emphasised by the fact that the transmission has no shift points. Fuel economy is excellent for a vehicle in this class. As with other Lexus products, the interior is a wonderful place to spend your driving time. Occupants sit high up, which has always been said to be one of the prime reasons people buy SUV/crossovers. Manufacturers often call this ‘a commanding view of the road,’ which is no bad thing at all. Apart from the obvious safety benefits, it makes the RX perfect for touring because you can see so much more than you’d be able to in a saloon.

According to which variant you buy, the RX 450h may come with an almost bewildering range of features, though as mentioned earlier, the basic model is lavishly equipped. The most recent one I drove had an excellent navigation system and various electronic safety aids like lane departure warning. Exploit the options list to its full extent and you can even get goodies like dual-screen rear seat DVD entertainment, which might be the best way ever devised of keeping the kids happy on a long trip. Inside and out, the 450h is superbly finished, Lexus being recognised by its peers as an industry benchmark when it comes to fit and finish. I’ve often used Lexus products to show people just how well a vehicle can be built and how every detail from panel fit to window sealing is invariably flawless. This attention to details pays off in cabin quietness and wind noise is very minimal in this vehicle. I’ve even heard engineers from top German manufacturers describe one of their new models as ‘quiet as a Lexus’ and I understand exactly what they mean. e

Z ENGINE: 3.5-litre V-6 plus electric motors to create a responsive hybrid powertrain with 295-horsepower. Z TRANSMISSION: Continuously variable (CV) automatic. Z ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h in 7.8-secs. Z TOP SPEED: 230 km/h estimated. Z I LIKED: Good size for this class of vehicle. Not too large, not too small. Remarkably refined hybrid powertrain that provides quietness and smoothness plus very brisk acceleration for an SUV/ crossover. Strong reputation that Lexus/ Toyota has in the production of hybrid engines. Best fit and finish in the industry with flawless detailing. Z I DIDN’T LIKE: There is some hesitation among buyers with regard to the longterm reliability of hybrids, but they’ve been around a long time now and there’s no history of durability problems. It’s a pity this isn’t a plug-in hybrid so the battery can be charged independently, but this feature may be in the pipeline for a future model. Z MARKET ALTERNATIVES: Audi Q5 Hybrid, Infiniti QX60 Hybrid, Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid. Z WHO DRIVES ONE? Drivers who want one of the best hybrid SUV/crossovers in its class. Owners who like the idea of driving a hybrid, but need more space and power than that provided by most saloons in this powertrain class. Buyers who appreciate some of the best quality levels to be found in the industry and enjoy the almost Rolls-Royce level of quietness and refinement. Z PRICE AND AVAILABILITY: Available now starting at €69.700.

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CULTURE / HISTORY / FEATURES

focus FAMOUS PEOPLE / INTERVIEWS / HUMOUR

Our inspiration looks toward the Orient this month, to China, to be precise. We preview the secrets and surprises that await us in the Year of the Goat, and delight you with some exemplary examples of Chinese art. One of the biggest cinematic and fashion icons of the moment, Fan Bing Bing, graces our personality pages and we find out why Chinese is the language to learn in our interview with teacher, Yìng Yìng Xu. Master of Chinese Martial Art, Kung Fu, Sifu Joe Williams, tells us about his recently opened school in Estepona.

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The Year of the Goat

Chinese Art

Fan Bing Bing

Chinese Teacher: Yìng Yìng Xu

Kung Fu Master: Sifu Joe Williams

1/26/15 2:09 PM

THE FOCUS new year

YEAR E H T F O ? P E E SH

BAA ! G U B HUM uary night on Febr olic id m f o e k o tr b At the s tt will don sym e k c e B a f d n e li c e 18, B t off a bra o ill e s d n a r a e w r 5w red unde hope that 201 the most e th in rs e k c r ﬁrecra an forecast fo inese th r e tt e b t u o h n C tur animal sign in inauspicious d on to ﬁnd out what the astrology. Reaeep has in store for you. Year of the Sh

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ome people are born lucky. I’m just lucky I’m not Chinese or I might never have been born at all! According to the Washington Post, some prospective Chinese parents spent 2014 desperately trying to time the arrival of their offspring before midnight on February 18, 2015, the end of the fortuitous Year of the Horse. No self-respecting Chinese family wants a baby born in the dreaded Year of the Sheep. More disturbingly, a rise in abortions is anticipated as couples do everything they can to avoid sheepish offspring. Ovine discrimination is a matter of such concern, it’s being addressed at Chinese antenatal classes! I was a Sheep Year baby. And, if you were born in 1955, 1967 or in any 12-year cycle before or after

that, you too. Welcome to the club! Or not...

Sheep Trick

The 12 animal signs in Chinese astrology are linked to the 4,000-year-old Spring Festival, aka Chinese New Year, a moveable feast occurring between mid-January and mid-February, based on the lunar calendar. Each animal gets a turn at reigning for a year so, in theory, we sheep should be looking forward to a good one. In practice, it’s not that cut-and-dried. The trouble with sheep is that they’re seen as meek creatures: followers, not leaders, unlucky in business, destined for heartbreak and failed relationships. According to one popular Chinese folk saying, only one in 10 people born in sheep years will find happiness. I guess sheep celebrities Nicole Kidman,

Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis and Matt LeBlanc are among the lucky one in 10, but it doesn’t half make the other nine feel inadequate. Better to have been born a dragon, tiger or horse – energetic animals associated with success in Chinese astrology. Even roguish rats and slippery snakes are considered luckier than goats. In this dog-eatdog world (and the Chinese dog can run rings round a scatty sheep) our finer points – passivity, loyalty, generosity and kindness – are often seen as weaknesses, not strengths.

Ewe Turn

To clear up one point, you don’t have to be a sheep. It depends on your interpretation of ‘yang’ – not the opposite of yin, in this case, but the Chinese generic term for any horned ruminating mammal. The Vietnamese say ‘goat’, the Koreans

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“Only one in 10 people born in sheep years will ﬁnd happiness. I guess sheep celebrities Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis and Matt LeBlanc are among the lucky one in 10, but it doesn’t half make the other nine feel inadequate”.

say ‘ram’, and as both sound a bit more feisty than the woolly-headed sheep, it’s the Year of the Goat, right? And not just any old goat. This is the year of the ‘green wood goat’. And here it gets complicated. Tomes have been written on how destiny is shaped by the five elements of earth, water, fire, wood and metal, as well as the year, day, hour, minute, and second of our birth. If you want to know how, buy a tome! Green, woody or whatever, it seems unfair that zodiac goats get a bad rap when the bleating versions are revered the world over for their dual function as furry lawnmowers and efficient converters of feed into high-quality meat, milk and hide. But even real goats are exploited until their teeth fall out and their milk dries up, then everyone else eats them for breakfast! Of course, goats have their good points – the creativity of Coco Chanel, the money-making skills of Madonna, the mercuriality of Mick Jagger, the old goat – but it depends on which forecast you read. There are a lot of charlatans on the Internet spreading mixed messages, and, here, this goat finds herself on the horns of a dilemma.

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Red or Dead

Fleece Año Nuevo Consulting various internet oracles and soothsayers it seems that, on the one hand, goat years are times of peace, prudence and preservation of the status quo. So that’s Nigel Farage’s UKIP elections dreams up in wood-goat smoke, and Podemus in Spain can probably butt out, too. On the other hand, Raymond Lo, who claims to be one of only five Feng Shui Grand Masters in the world, is forecasting a third Gulf War, having allegedly predicted the other two which both began in goat years. In a pretty meaty set of prognostications which you can check out for yourself at www. raymond-lo.com he also forecasts a slew of natural disasters, epidemics and international conflicts and prosperity for metal industries like banking. So not much change there... Goats themselves can be lucky this year but it’s no foregone conclusion. Rocky Sung, another Hong Kong Feng Shui master, says: “Goats will still have to face certain challenges to reap the benefits of their destiny in 2015.” That includes conquering our ‘shy demeanour’ in order to step up to the plate and reap the rewards we’re due.

This is where the red underwear comes in. (I knew you were wondering.) At New Year, the Chinese enhance their luck with many superstitious rituals, the most important being association with the lucky colour red. Red lanterns hang in streets, red proverbs are pasted on doors, gifts of money are exchanged in red envelopes and rails of red underwear hit the shops and street markets. Red is believed to ward off bad luck and misfortune, so wearing it next to your most private places must be extra-potent. Firecrackers are also key, but trickier. The Chinese are even more cavalier than the Spanish about letting them off, any time any place anywhere, to banish evil spirits. So the increased risk of heart failure, air pollution or setting fire to your facemask (a must-have fashion accessory in China) is something of a double-edged sword. Of course, it’s far worse being a goat over there. Have you seen the sheep-like exodus on New Year’s Eve, when half of China packs its bags and battles to the other end of the country for a three-day public holiday? (The Festival lasts 15 days but Communist China is a bit stingy with time off.) The patient Chinese stand in queues longer than their winding ceremonial dragons for travel tickets and put up with being packed onto public transport more tightly than sticky rice in a sushi roll… And that’s just a preamble to the real nightmare: the Family Reunion Dinner. This single event is a major contributor to China’s rising divorce rate, as its increasingly-liberated (un-sheep-like) women no longer go meekly to the homes of their mother-in-laws (the custom for centuries) without an argument. The Reunion Dinner also used to be a rough time for singletons over 30, considered past their marriageable sell-by date. The problem has been solved by rent-a-beau agencies who hire out fake dates for a bargain 100 yuan (€13) per day. I wonder, if your pretend partner is a goat, would you get a discount?

To give it to you straight: there are no new lovers on the horizon in 2015 (on the bright side, you can give up the New Year diet); career success will be linked to loneliness (but maybe you’ll write a novel or sail the Atlantic single-handed); there will be no cash windfalls either (that El Gordo lottery ticket was a big waste of money); oh, and beware of accidents involving sharp objects… unless, having read this, you are already contemplating slashing your wrists… At least hold off buying the razor blades until you’ve consulted the animal associated with your birth hour, considered by some Chinese to be the true personality test. Unfortunately, Mother was a bit vague on that score, being in labour at the time; it could have been 4am, represented by the Tiger (good news! The Tiger’s roar gives goats an edge) or The only place 5am, represented in China where goats get real Guangzhou. Ever respect is by the Rabbit y Chinese zodiac city and horned animal has a re presentative ru minants hold a (not good news! place of honour to legend, Guan he gz re. According ho u was saved fro The Rabbit’s five goats bear m famine by five ing rice sacks in Gods riding sensitivity makes their mouths. ‘G become the th oat City’ went ird largest in Ch on to ina although, tr the goat more work out so we ue to form, it di ll for the goats. dn’t They were turn wimpy). you’re a goat ed

Mutton for Punishmen t

? Get over it! M to stone! So e, I’m giving the because you ne red underwear ver know, it co a try uld be my luck if the firecracke y night… And rs set light to m y re d lanterns, no sw This nanny goat eat. wouldn’t say ‘n o’ to a fireman ’s lift!

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The Magnificent Eleven Z RAT (hardworking, thrifty, quicktempered, neurotic): 1960, 1972, 1984… The laid-back sheep year is alien to quick and ambitious rats and, if they’re not careful, they’ll end up running round in circles like hamsters on wheels. Rats will need to make adjustments to their regular way of doing things to make things happen.

Z OX (patient, self-sacrificing, jealous, rigid): 1961, 1973, 1985… A challenging year for hard-working oxen, as goats are their zodiac opposites and can steal their energy. Nevertheless, huge progress and success is forecast, and the more they can step out of their comfort zone, the better.

Z TIGER (lucky, courageous, vain, undisciplined): 1962, 1974, 1986… A slower year for impulsive tigers who feel frustrated at the meagre results they achieve from their efforts. But there are opportunities if they can tweak their goals and strategies, as tigers can outrun and out-think most of the competition.

Z RABBIT (ambitious, unflappable, aloof, private): 1963, 1975, 1987… Sensitive Rabbits understand what others are feeling and sheep years enhance their people-reading skills, leading to success in all their dealings. If they focus on their goals and be patient, the rewards will come.

Z DRAGON (intuitive, influential, demanding, judgmental): 1964, 1976, 1988… Growth is the focus of sheep years and powerful dragons are in harmony with that energy. It could take the form of further education or the expansion of their social circle through parties or networking. These are auspicious times.

Z SNAKE (calm, intelligent, lazy, possessive): 1965, 1977, 1989… A bountiful year for savvy snakes. But while opportunities abound, action must be taken to win the prize. So send in that application, submit that business proposal and everything in your Garden of Eden will be lovely.

Z HORSE (entertaining, powerful, selfish, rebellious): 1966, 1978, 1990… A year of positive change is highlighted for popular horses, and perhaps a different look to match their new attitude. Little by little is their byword for 2015. If they introduce good habits gradually, the stress will melt away.

Z MONKEY (independent, enthusiastic, unscrupulous, childlike): 1968, 1980, 1992… Clever monkeys should spend 2015 finishing projects, tying up loose ends and discarding dead weight. It’s time to lighten the load for the opportunities to come in 2016, their year. With a little charm and finesse, they’ll still get what they want.

Z ROOSTER (resourceful, adventurous, short-sighted, impractical): 1969, 1981, 1993… Inquisitive roosters have more confidence this year and people around them will be supportive of their goals. They will free themselves from negative habits and blocked family patterns, and their timing and intuition are spot on.

Z DOG (attentive, loyal, stubborn, guarded): 1970, 1982, 1994… Loyal dogs will gain the knowledge and understanding to achieve all their goals this year, without exception. An adventurous and active period is forecast, and whatever dogs ask for in 2015, they will receive.

Z PIG (sincere, cultured, noncompetitive, gullible): 1971, 1983, 1995… Intuitive pigs prosper in sheep years and 2015 will be filled with opportunities for love and money. Pigs should take full advantage of people around them to help them fulfil their wish list, and will be surprised by how easy it is. e

What the Year of the Goat holds for non-goats

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THE FOCUS art

China is a world cloaked in mystery – a land of fables, where theatre portrays princes leading armies against dragons and a uniquely rich culture is captured, not in centuries, but millennia, of the highest artistic tradition.

The art of the WORDS Michel Cruz

Dragon T

he Celestial Empire, as seen through the eyes of thousands of years of Chinese art, is a world in itself – a region different from any other on the planet. Shaped by a highly distinct culture which in turn is enmeshed within a deep and ancient philosophy, the art produced by this unfathomable civilisation has a unique quality immediately recognisable as Oriental. Not only is the Chinese depiction of art – the interpretation of feelings and impressions of the world around us – substantially different from that of the West, but it also has a long, almost uninterrupted tradition that spans literally thousands of years. When we think of Chinese art we picture silk paintings, elaborately carved woodwork or jewellery and of course many of the very best examples of porcelain, or should I say china – in the world. And yet, these are merely dots connecting a line that began with early Stone Age pottery and sculptures some 12,000 years ago. From here on the Chinese story is one of a long succession of dynasties well documented both in the written word and through the medium of art. Many of this nation’s numerous triumphs, catastrophes and legends have been captured through the artist’s eye, be he (or she) a painter, sculptor, potter or storyteller. Born out of this ancient tradition, which is irrevocably entwined with the cultural and natural landscape, as well as with Chinese philosophy and spiritualism, its art also charts the rise and fall of ambitious emperors and warlords, thus creating an epic visual saga without equal.

The Road to Perfection Chinese art, in its development, is not characterised by the sudden leaps that sporadically propelled Western art forwards. Instead, it is built upon a highly stylised tradition whose strict rules of engagement have evolved over time and continue to be adhered to. This is not to say that it has stood still, as the many different dynastic periods prove, but it is a slow evolution that can also be regarded as a long and disciplined path to perfection. And so there is a slowly developing continuum to Chinese art that makes it instantly recognisable. Techniques pioneered thousands of years ago have since been taken to new heights by successive generations of potters, painters, sculptors, engravers, poets, master carpenters, jewellery makers and a host of other artists and craftsmen. Among the very finest the world has ever seen, they have painstakingly perfected rather than revolutionised their artistry to produce a body of work that dwarfs all else.

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From Han to Ming

Porcelain, Terracotta and Stone Art Perhaps the art form that is most synonymous with China, the country even gave its name to this higher form of glazed pottery. However, when we picture the exquisite grace and perfection of Ming vases and plates it is not immediately obvious that these elegant glazed forms have their origins in a far earthier form of pottery that has its roots in the earliest flowering of Chinese society. Evolving from the alluvial clay soils of mighty rivers such as the Yangtze, the earliest pottery is uncharacteristically heavy and lacking in finesse. Focusing more on practical or religious utensils rather than decorative art in its own right, such pieces share the earthy characteristics of early bronze work yet, even later, Chinese pottery and metalwork continued to display the heaviness of style and form that enhances the distinction with the later creations in fine bone china. A blend of the two traditions is visible in the sculpture and stone carving of the Chinese, whose origins also go right back to the dawn of Oriental civilisation. Not

limiting themselves to mere ornaments made from clay kaolin and feldspars, the Chinese masters, trained meticulously through a well-established guild system, began to sculpt on an ever more impressive scale. Who hasn’t seen the haunting images of the Terracotta Army, the life-size, lifelike host that guards the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang? Now over 2,200 years old, the detail is awe-inspiring. Built on the megalomania of powerful leaders or not, a civilisation that produces such feats is a great one indeed. You needn’t imagine what such a people can achieve when fired by spiritual inspiration, for the Leshan Giant Buddha is one of several giant representations carved into mountainsides within the country. Measuring 71 metres in height, it is the largest classical statue in the world – constructed in AD 803.

From pottery came exquisite Chinese porcelain, its precursors taking shape in the Han, Tang and Song dynasties, among others, but it was with the Ming dynasty that began in the 14th century that ceramic art reached new heights. Newly refined glazing techniques, stylistic treatment and decorative painting took hold, effectively propelling Chinese porcelain to a solitary position, yet at least some of the inspiration for the new shapes and colours of the era came from neighbouring civilisations. By the time European traders started dropping anchor off the Chinese coast in the 15th and 16th centuries, Ming dynasty porcelain was an art form unrivalled in its perfection. Not surprisingly, the Western merchants came under its spell, outbidding each other in pursuit of original fine bone china. Early pieces brought to Europe would later be copied, this forming the basis of ceramic industries and indeed traditions that continue to this day. Think of the famous Dutch blue-andwhite Delft porcelain or the largely blue-and-white Portuguese azulejos, both of whose origins lay directly in the Orient. Indeed, even the later British, French and German ceramic craftsmen trace their inspiration back to Chinese porcelain, making such revered names as Wedgwood, Royal Worcester, Sèvres, Limoges, Villeroy & Boch and Meissen just a little Chinese too. Today, a fine Chinese original from the right dynasty is every bit as much in demand as it was in the 16th century, often commanding hundreds of thousands or even millions at auction.

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Intricate Art Another characteristic of Chinese art is its intricate workmanship and detail, as seen in the painstakingly carved decorative woodwork of villas, temples and palaces, but also the incredible ornamentation seen in ivory carvings and jade jewellery. It is an art form that dates back from before the birth of the Roman Empire yet lives on today, where it also finds expression in wood and silk panels, fans and umbrellas. Made from wood, bone, ivory, precious stones or even paper, it is the detail that impresses. The shapes thus created are highly organic when seen up close, inspired in theme and form by depictions of nature and everyday life, or occasionally by scenes of a grander kind. In the case of the latter, songbirds, mountains and the lone fisherman on the river are replaced by court life, battles or legions of horseman riding out in ceremonial form. Oriental art differs from the classical Western conception in that it doesn’t focus on deities but rather finds spiritual inspiration in the organic variety and detail of nature.

Fine as Silk This is also true of Chinese painting, which immediately stands out for the soft, almost faded effect of water paints on silk or sandalwood. Where the silk prints that decorate traditional garments, panel screens, fans and umbrellas are bright and busy, the more ‘serious’ painted artwork has a far more intimate, almost ethereal quality about it. From the painters hand we see mountains, rivers, flowers, animals and people through Chinese eyes. It is a wonderful exploration of a soft-focused and rather dreamy world in which the China of old – dragons and all – is all too evocative. In contrast to this comes the art of engraving, entwined with the equally skilled art of calligraphy. All writing systems may

have their form of it, but the manifold characters of the Chinese script have a life all of their own, dancing before the eye just as they impart knowledge and information. This is no easy code for understanding, but a complex system that continues to divide the almost literate from those highly accomplished in the art of words and thought. It is this ancient script that has accompanied the artistic and cultural journey of the Chinese people since the earliest of times, recording in word what the decorative arts depicted graphically, and the equally distinct Chinese theatre brings together to portray acts of history and legend with all the awe and mystery that only the Celestial Empire can muster. e

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THE FOCUS people

FAN BING BING

Something in the Way She Moves

She’s been courted by Armani, Versace, Dior and Louis Vuitton, been deemed Forbes’ Most Inﬂuential Celebrity in 2014 and 2013, and recently appeared in both Iron Man 3 and X-Men: Days of Future Past. She is also a talented TV producer and pop singer, idolised by teens and adults alike. Marisa Cutillas highlights the many reasons why Fan Bing Bing is a star to watch out for in the new millennium…

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she has the indubitable honour of holding a spot on Vanity Fair’s Best Dressed List, and has signed deals with firms like Chopard and Mercedes-Benz. Finally, the idea of a ‘face that sells’ is coming to look considerably more cosmopolitan than in the past. Fan Bing Bing’s first big break was in popular television series, Princess Pearl. As a child, she had always been immersed in the arts, her parents ensuring she could discover and foster hidden talents through music and dance lessons. Her immense popularity back home made her the obvious choice for a special appearance in Iron Man 3. The Producers of the film created an ‘alternative version’ for the Chinese audience, featuring Fan and top male Chinese star, Wang Xueqi. Fan’s role as a nurse was short but sweet, her appearance a definite nod to the power of the Chinese audience, who spent $100 million dollars in the first two weeks that the film was screened. Fan Bing Bing has plans to make the most of the Chinese cinematic revolution, having recently signed with top agency, William Morris Endeavor and stated that her dream is to own a home in Los Angeles. However, she will have to strike a very delicate balance so as to appear capable enough of holding her own in English speaking films, yet not so ‘Westernised’ that she ceases to appeal to the Chinese audience. Moreover, in China, there is a growing taste for home produced films catering exclusively to Chinese tastes. Fan will be starring in three upcoming films: Dynasty Woman (an epic war film directed by Cheng Shiqing), The Moon and the Sun (a Hollywood produced action-adventure fantasy film directed by Sean McNamara); and Ever Since We Love (a Chinese romantic/ coming-of-age film directed by Li Yu). Somehow, we feel that Fan Binbing will have no trouble at all in seducing both Eastern and Western audiences; we can’t think of anyone who better symbolises the best and fairest aspects of both cultures.

f the name Fan Bing Bing doesn’t ring a bell, you may be surprised to learn that it belongs to China’s most influential female actor. As the face of L’Oréal, Fan is adored by millions, an honour she has held since she was 17 and she first appeared in a series that would catapult her to fame and turn her into China’s biggest box office guarantee. The fact that Fan (Bing Bing is her given name) is still relatively unknown in the West is not surprising; her main cinematic rival, Zhang Zhiyi, only became an ‘it’ girl in the West when the film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2003) became a huge sensation, garnering various Oscar nominations for its Director, Ang Lee. Zhang Ziyi is, perhaps, Fan’s greatest rival; she has starred in various Hollywoodproduced blockbusters, Including Rush Hour 2, House of Flying Daggers and Memoirs of a Geisha. Despite Zhang’s immense success in the US and beyond, however, critics often note that she has not managed to captivate the hearts of her countrymen as much as Fan Bing Bing. Zhang’s beauty is said to appeal more to the Western than the Eastern eye; Fan, on the other hand, epitomises the very apotheosis of Chinese beauty, and indeed, her porcelain-like skin and tall, elegant physique are said to be quite awe-inspiring in person. In a fascinating article in W Magazine, Lynn Hirschberg notes that while box office sales are lagging in the United States, China has become a big mover and shaker in the cinematic word. Currently, it is the second largest market for film (the US still holds the Number one spot, though it is predicated that by 2020, China will hold this honour). Owing to the sheer volume of the population, movie theatres are constantly being built and currently, the country is home to an impressive 15,000 movie screens. Clearly, the Western interest in Fan is fuelled by savvy marketing strategies, though there is no doubt that if the talented thespian overcomes her selfconfessed laziness and sharpens her English skills, she’s got all it takes to establish herself as an even bigger star than Maggie Cheung, the first-ever Chinese actress to take home the Best Actress award at the Berlin and Cannes film festivals. It isn’t just the world of film that has woken up to the powerful influence of Fan; she is also making heads turn in the fashion world;

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THE FOCUS people

Learn Chinese Today, Master Your Future Tomorrow

Yìng Yìng Xu

The debate as to whether or not the Chinese language is meritorious of the immense effort it takes to master, continues to rage. The powerful Chinese economy has become a force to contend with and new companies are expanding into Europe at an ever-increasing pace; on the other hand, Mandarin can be exceptionally difficult to learn. Unlike languages like French or German, it can take between four to eight hours of study a week. Yet there is no doubt that this investment of time is worthwhile, opening many doors to professionals from all sectors wishing to do business with Chinese consumers and tourists. The good news is that according to Chinese teacher Yìng Yìng Xu, it is indeed possible to learn Chinese as a second language.

WORDS Marisa CUTILLAS Photography kevin horn

Tea for Two It is a rainy day on my first meeting with Yìng Yìng, though the fact that it is a breakfast gettogether creates a cosy, laidback atmosphere that makes for a fascinating conversation on the Chinese language. Yìng Yìng is already there when I arrive; chic and stylish and brimming with interesting information, she is the kind of lady whose phone doesn’t stop ringing. She is in high demand, not only from students and parents, but more so from the many organisations (government and private) who request her help with negotiations involving Chinese companies. Her success is testimony to the importance of knowing Chinese in the 21st century.

About Yìng Yìng Xu Yìng Yìng pursed her university studies in China, heading to England afterwards to hone her skills in the English language and to complete her studies in business. There, she met and married her husband, who hails from Germany, the country where she would obtain her qualifications as a German-Chinese translator. “Just one day after I passed my final exams, we moved again, to Spain!” laughs Yìng Yìng, “The first time we visited the Coast was in 1998; we fell in love with this place right away. After idling around for many years travelling and sun bathing, in 2007, by coincidence, I completed a three-month replacement for a Mandarin teacher at St. George

school and that is how I started out.” Little did Yìng Yìng know that what began so casually would turn out to be an absolute love affair with teaching. “I loved it!” she said, “Teaching is a really rewarding job. I inquired about similar jobs and have been teaching at Swans School since 2008.” Yìng Yìng also teaches Chinese at Aloha College and at Laude San Pedro. She has additionally launched an academy of her own, the Han Chinese Language School of Marbella, at Laude San Pedro. “At my academy, we teach European as well as Chinese pupils. We run a special programme for Chinese students, who complete eight hours of classes a week – from 12pm to 4pm on Saturdays

and Sundays.” In case you think eight hours is excessive, take note: “Kids don’t just sit at a desk all day; we include activities such as football and martial arts.” At the Han Chinese Language School of Marbella, courses are also offered to European children of different age and levels. The Beginners’ class is for kids aged five to six; the class is a kind of first contact for kids, who learn a little vocabulary and simple phrases through rhymes, song, arts and crafts, etc. The second group is a little more advanced and the third prepares to sit for the official exams like YCT and HSK set by the Confucius Institute.

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Why Chinese? Yìng Yìng has no doubt in her mind that Chinese is a vital second language to have these days. “Many large European companies contact me asking if I know any Europeans who speak Chinese, to fill well paying positions.” She notes that if, in the past, China mainly exported goods, “nowadays, it is also doing a lot of importing; if you want to do business with the Chinese, it is definitely a good idea to speak their language.” New regulations such as those offering the ‘Golden Visa’ to Chinese buyers of homes in Spain, mean that we are more likely to see an influx of Chinese residents and investors. Chinese students are also hailing to our shores to learn Spanish. Ultimately, the reason to learn Chinese boils down to the numbers: “Capturing even a small part of the Chinese market means big business,” Yìng Yìng notes. The tourist sector is another in which knowledge of the Chinese language can come in handy: “In the past, it was far more laborious for Chinese tourists to obtain a visa to Spain; now they can apply for one online and receive it within 48 hours. There is already a high demand for Chinese-speaking tourist guides.” Ying Ying notes that in Spain, she is often asked why China is such a strong power in the world economy and she answers, “In China, we work hard and the day is long. Business owners work in their businesses instead of delegating the job to others and the sheer number of people in China means that although profit margins may be low, the quantity of sales is enormous, so it adds up. Recently, China’s equivalent of ebay, Tao Bao, made 53 billion yuan in a single ‘Black Friday,’ beating the sales of Amazon, ebay and all other major online players,” she notes.

A Matter of Time To learn Chinese, around four hours minimum are required per week though there are many ways to instill and reinforce language ability. “Those who can afford it might think about hiring a Chinese nanny; they might also opt to have private lessons or to sign up at my school. The important thing is that they receive an introduction to Chinese and that the classes are enjoyable; then they are more likely to put more effort into home study.” Travel is another good idea: “The Han Ban Council (the Chinese equivalent of The British Council) offers scholarships to those who pass exams in Chinese. I recently accompanied some students to Beijing, to help them settle in. They loved it so much that after they finished high school they returned to Beijing for six months to learn Chinese at University.” As far as local schools are concerned, many offer Chinese as an extra activity, but Swans School is a pioneer; for seven years now, it has been offering Mandarin as a free extra activity to primary school students from Year 3 onwards. By the time students are in Year 7, they can opt to study Chinese as alternative to French and German.”

of both cultures and traditions, valuing both hard work and independent thinking. “Chinese is not impossible to learn… some of my best students have been European,” she says. Learning languages is always stimulating from a cultural perspective but when it comes to Chinese, it truly is like stepping into a fascinating new world – the world of the future. g For further information on the Han Chinese School of

Marbella, Tel: 686 876 446 / Hantutor@gmail.com

Cultural Matters Yìng Yìng is a teacher through and through and she speaks eloquently on the different methods and philosophies embraced by the Eastern and Western cultures. She mentions an article by a member of The British Council, who, after a visit to China, noted the vast difference in the attitude of children. “Classes in China can be very large, with between 50 to 60 children, yet the author noted that nobody interrupted the teacher; everyone followed her pace perfectly from start to finish. This can contrast greatly with Western educational ideals since here, personalisation is prime. Teachers sometimes tell me they have to repeat lesson contents several times because children find it hard to listen.” Respect and discipline are two important values in Chinese schools, while creativity and critical thinking are values they sometimes lack. In her classes, Yìng Yìng aims to combine the best

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THE FOCUS people

A path to strength and purpose

KUNG FU

Iron Bridge School of Kung Fu and Internal Training, the new academy opened in Estepona by celebrated Kung Fu master Sifu Joe Williams, is bringing the martial arts and spiritual path of this most noble of ancient traditions to the Costa del Sol.

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

ifu Joe Williams may have been born in London but his heart and spirit have been in the orient ever since he first found a natural calling in Kung Fu. “People talk about martial arts and often think of fight sports, but Kung Fu is much more than a mere sport – it is a philosophy that has the power to change your whole outlook on life.” Unlike competitive sports and many forms of martial arts, Kung Fu is grounded in a life philosophy whose reach and effect can extend well beyond the forms and combat techniques for which it is most famous. “Naturally our school attracts people interested in the martial side of things,” says Sifu Joe, “but as with many of the ancient Asian arts, Kung Fu also offers a path that can transform not just your body, health and strength, but also create a sense of purpose, discipline and focus that wasn’t there before.”

More than sport

g SIFU JOE WILLIAMS Iron Bridge School of Kung Fu and Internal Training. Ave. Litoral, Estepona. Tel: 678 472 239. sifujoewilliams@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/sifujoe.williams www.tonglongpuentedehierro.blogspot.com.es

Unlike most sports, which apply discipline and commitment yet focus mainly on the competitive side, The Kung Fu and Tai Chi classes offered by Sifu Joe can be taken into different directions, depending on your need or what you want from them. “To do it properly takes a certain dedication, because whereas you can learn to play tennis or kick box, in the realms of Kung Fu and Tai Chi there are so many layers of skill and knowledge you can acquire that you could spend a lifetime doing so.” His own journey has seen him become a practitioner of Kung Fu and Chi Gung, whose classical Southern Chinese tenets are taught at the Iron Bridge school in Estepona. “I studied under a sifu who is a monk of Xiaolin and now I impart a body of knowledge that might seem all about forms, or stylised combat movements, but which starts with focusing on how to control the body through your breathing, your movements, the clearing of the mind and the concentration of energy.”

The process creates a sense of selfawareness that not only improves an understanding of your own body, but also promotes self-worth, confidence and the ability to focus. “Even those people who don’t go on to pursue the more meditational and philosophical side of Kung Fu and Tai Chi often gain more focus and energy, which we see frequently in both adults and kids.” The latter are commonly seen to become less rowdy and disruptive, their energy now channelled into an outlet that gives them a greater ability to concentrate in school and other activities. As for the adults, they range from women looking for self-defence techniques and martial arts experts wanting to take their skills to a whole new level, to those ready for a greater sense of consciousness and the desire to connect with the natural world around them. “Kung Fu and Tai Chi offer all this, and much more,” says the Sifu whose great credit is the fact that he is equally at home with beginners and children as he is teaching the all-out combat techniques of Southern Praying Mantis to advanced pupils. From Marcos, who walks with crutches yet uses Kung Fu to bolster mind, body and spirit, to Simón and Rogelio, for whom the classes offer a method to leave the stresses of the modern world behind, the classes have a very personal value. “The modern way of life disconnects us from nature, ourselves and those around us,” says Rogelio, “but step through the door here and you soon become more aware of what you eat, how you treat your body, where your energy comes from and how you interact with other people. It is a process that Sifu – which means ‘adoptive father’ – guides you through for as long and as far as you wish to follow it. In six months I have gained not only knowledge about Kung Fu as a martial art, but also insights into principles such as the strength of subtlety, the power of courtesy and the confidence required to be kind and patient. These are the building stones of Kung Fu both on the mat and beyond it.” e

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THE STYLE fashion

White Collar is a Beijing-born brand making major waves on the international fashion scene, owing to its perfectly tailored garments, original material combinations and cutting-edge interpretation of femininity. Marisa Cutillas brings you some of the most stunning ensembles from its Spring/Summer 2015 collection.

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HAUTE AND HOT ALL AT ONCE

White Collar at the Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week

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BLACK AND WHITE IS THE NIGHT

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SHIMMERING IN BLACK

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A CUT ABOVE

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ELEGANT IN EBONY

i www.chinafashionweek.org

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Set by Reger Noir by Janet Reger for Debenhams

Ruffle Front Vest Top by Apricot

Grab your man’s attention when it’s just the two of you, alone… Marisa Cutillas brings you a few of the hottest looks in lingerie for the season…

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Kelly Brook Lace and Satin Bra for New Look

THE STYLE fashion

… P U T I E L m o Y o r ST in the Bed

Teal Polka Dot Bra by New Look

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Set by New Look

Set by Benetton © David Pellegrine/FABRICA

Set by Marks & Spencer

Kelly Brook Babydoll for New Look

Set by Benetton © David Pellegrine/FABRICA

Teddy by Marks & Spencer

Set by Benetton © David Pellegrine/FABRICA

Suspender and Bolero by Marks & Spencer

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PRODUCTS / Beauty / SPA / SCIENCE

Healing herbs can go a long way towards easing PMS, while Chinese Medicine can cure all types of ailments from an holistic perspective. We also offer you top beauty products and the very latest in health news, and find out how Biofeedback and Neurofeedback can aid with everything from ADHD to improving your sports performance.

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TREATMENTS / health

Beauty: Healing Herbs for PMS

Soaking it in: Coolest Bath Products

Health: Chinese Medicine

Health News

Health Professional: Afshan Morgan of Mind Matters

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BEAUTY WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Z CHASTEBERRY: Controlled studies have shown that chasteberry extract alleviates PMS symptoms and skin problems in over 50 per cent of women tested. Chasteberry extract, obtained from a plant grown in Southern Europe and Central Asia, is usually taken in supplement form. Some of the issues it alleviates include breast pain, cramps, inflammation and cravings for unhealthy foods. Z CHINESE ANGELICA (DONG QUAI): When taken midway through a woman’s cycle, three times daily, this popular antispasmodic eases painful cramping. In Asia, it has been used for centuries to promote female reproductive health and to regulate the menstrual cycle. Chinese Angelica dilates the blood vessels and promotes good circulation. It is also rich in phytoestrogens, which are not quite as powerful as oestrogen but which do bind to oestrogen receptors in human cells. Z LICORICE ROOT: This herb has an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect and boasts a moderate estrogenic action which is used to sooth breast tenderness, cramps, bloating and mood swings. Interestingly, Licorice Root is commonly taken by women with PMS, since its phytoestrogenic and antioxidant properties are thought to be useful for home-related problems such as hot flashes and mood swings. Kenton recommends taking this herb in tea or fluid extract form, for two to three months straight, to fight water retention and toxic build-up in skin. This root lowers oestrogen and raises progesterone, which in itself lessens many of the common malaises associated with the onset of the premenstrual cycle.

Z ST. JOHN’S WORT: This powerful adaptogen helps the body react to general stress throughout the month and can be particularly useful when PMS sets in. It is often used as a first line of defence against depression and anxiety and is said to help with everything from social withdrawal to uncontrollable crying, anger and difficulty concentrating. If you are considering taking St. John’s Wort, be aware that it may interact with a variety of medications, including the birth control pill, interfering with the latter’s effectiveness. St. John’s Wort can also

He a

ADVICE

uring a woman’s monthly period, levels of female reproductive hormone, progesterone, plummet, while other hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins, located in the lining of the uterus, begin to proliferate, cause skin sensitivity to the leading to PMS, a condition that typically arises between seven and 14 days before sun, resulting in rashes so while a woman’s period commences. PMS can cause cramping, swelling and tenderness you’re taking it, stay out of of the breast area and a number of psychological symptoms ranging from irritability the sun. to sadness and cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods. It can also lead to excessive Z DANDELION LEAF: Often oiliness and skin breakouts which can put a real hamper on the way we look and enjoyed in tea form, this powerful feal. Beauty expert and best-selling author of Skin Revolution, Leslie Kenton, plant is the ideal choice for those advises against using heavy make-up (which can increase oiliness) or having wishing to get rid of bloating in facials, which can rupture blemishes beneath the skin’s surface. A woman’s the face, hands and abdominal area, skin is also particularly sensitive at this time, she warns, so that waxing since it has powerful diuretic and antiand tweezing are best kept to another time of the month. Help can inflammatory properties. be found in natural herbs, which can do wonders for PMS skin Z RED RASPBERRY LEAF: Take this popular as well as provide welcome peace and calm at what can be supplement in capsule or tea form to fight a rather stressful time. Recommended herbs include:

PMS-related cramping. Z EVENING PRIMROSE OIL: In East and West alike, evening primrose oil is often used to alleviate breast tenderness. While studies on its effectiveness have thus far yielded mixed results, it continues to be a popular natural aid to this painful problem. If you find that breast pain and tenderness are a constant in your life, you may be suffering from a hormonal imbalance; specifically, your oestrogen levels may be too high. Common causes for excess oestrogen include excessive body

fat, a low-fibre diet, smoking, consuming too much sugar, insulin resistance and stress. Remember that diet and lifestyle have a significant effect on hormonal balance and that by making simple changes, you can go a long way towards reducing PMS symptoms even without the need for herbal help. Begin by making healthy changes to your diet; consume organic-only produce, and serve food only on glass and ceramic ware, since plastic wrapped food, glasses, table wear and microwave containers introduce ‘foreign oestrogens’ into your system. By adopting this lifestyle, you will be doing your man a favour as well; scientists warn that there may be a link between chemicals found in plastics and falling sperm counts. When it comes to hormones, sometimes, too much of a good thing can wield very bad consequences for our health and wellbeing. e

M S P r o f s b r e H g il n

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BEAUTY The colder it gets, the more a long, leisurely shower or bath appeals. Marisa Cutillas brings you a list of hot items that will turn your normal grooming routine, into an endless pampering affair… Bouquet, available at Amara. 6 – Soothe sensitive skin with this Verbena and Lavender body bar by Crabtree & Evelyn. 7 – Enjoy the softening bounties of Savanna Escape Sunset bliss Enticing Bath Essence by Marks & Spencer. 8 – Harness the purifying power of Nature with Botanic Bath Salts by Bamford, available at Amara. 9 – Lift your spirits with this energising Lemongrass & Ginger Bath Soap by Max Benjamin, available at Amara. 10 – For a light yet fragrant lotion, try Evelyn Rose Body Lotion by Crabtree & Evelyn.

PRODUCTS

1 – If floral bouquets are your scene, try Oliver Bonas’ magnificent Nature-inspired set, featuring a Neroli & Bergamot Shower Gel, Jasmine Hand & Body Lotion and Rose Lip Balm. 2 – Live the life of luxury, soaking like Cleopatra in this Jasmin and Rose Milk Bath by Elemis. 3 – Moisturise skin after a warm shower with Rosewater body cream by Crabtree & Evelyn. 4 – Exfoliate skin to silky smooth perfection with The Body Shop’s Wild Argan Oil Rough Scrub. 5 – Cleanse your skin gently with Penhaligon’s Blenheim

BATH BEAUTY

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HEALTH “I’m not in the least interested in growing old gracefully; I want to grow old disgracefully, with a gleam in my eye. I want to carry my own wood into my cabin on the day that I die.” Leslie Kenton

CHINESE MEDICINE ADVICE

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

n the race against time, one of the leading movements favoured by health gurus the world over, is Chinese Medicine. This science centres around the restoration of Qi: the life energy that determines how blood flows. To put it simply, blood should always follow the movement of Qi; Chinese Qi Gong-based therapies aim to open the pathways of energy to allow blood and oxygen to flow where they are most needed. Ancient Chinese medics espoused the idea that it is often the lack of blood flow that leads to illness; i.e. when organs suffer and grow diseased, it is because they are not obtaining enough blood flow and oxygen. Chinese Medicine aims to approach health from an holistic perspective, valuing the mental, emotional and physical condition of the patient in equal measure. Recently revealed historical archives show that during the Qi Dynasty, China’s Empress Dowager Cixi, enlisted the help of various physicians and pharmacists, who formulated numerous prescriptions which clearly aimed to restore her energy from an integrated perspective. If you have visited a traditional Chinese doctor in your lifetime, then you will have noticed the vast difference in their approach, as compared to a Western doctor. A

Restoring the Movement of Qi

Chinese doctor will carefully look, listen, observe, touch and even use their sense of smell, to obtain the maximum amount of information possible. They will feel your pulse and assess your meridians (energy channels) to determine the cause of your ailment, and glean important information from organs such as the tongue, which can indicate mood, deficiencies, dietary choices and even trauma and stress. The doctor will decide whether your main problem is excess or deficiency, or whether in fact, you suffer from both conditions. They will then make suggestions, including avoiding certain foods, taking particular supplements (which can comprise plants, herbs or roots and sometimes, animal parts like deer antlers or antelope horn) or having acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture (which involves the insertion of tiny needles in specific points of the body) is a vital component of Chinese medicine, aiming to balance two opposing yet inextricably linked forces: the yin and yang. It seeks to unblock qi/chi, enabling its vital flow throughout the body and regulating the nervous system, releasing endorphins into the system and stimulating the immune cells in key areas of the body. Studies have shown that acupuncture can alter brain chemistry, releasing neurotransmitters and

neurohormones and positively affecting the parts of the nervous system which are related to immune reactions, blood pressure, temperature and many more involuntary functions. The World Health Organisation currently recognises acupuncture as a valid treatment for everything from neurological and muscular disorders to digestive problems, respiratory ailments and urinary and menstrual issues. A Chinese doctor may also recommend that you take up Qi Gong, a sophisticated system in which Qi exercises and meditations are used to heal. Qi Gong may be used alone, or combined with acupuncture, massage, or other forms of therapy. In External Qi Healing, the healer taps into a well of vital energy, obtained from Nature, and heals from a distance, without touching the patient. Qi Gong can also be used as a self-healing method, in which one carries out a specific set of exercises to enhance health and heal existing conditions. The aim is once again to move the inner energy to rid the mind of negative emotions like fear and anxiety, and the body of disease-causing toxins. One of the things that make Qi Gong so appealing is that the movements required can be very simple; one movement, for instance, simply involves swinging the arms from side

to side (tapping the kidneys lightly as you swing) to shake off negative energy. According to The Art of Unity.com, “Chi is like a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger and more responsive it becomes.” While performing these exercises, one should breathe through the prana tube, an ‘energetic breathing cylinder’ which runs from the top of the head to the perineum; when we breathe this way, all our chakras are charged, as are our aura and energy levels. As lightworkers.org so eloquently explains, “When you focus on your prana tube – and when you make the intention to extend it above and below – your ability to ground yourself, to heal yourself and to recharge yourself is magnified exponentially.” Chinese medicine is certainly a complex and fascinating field, comprising a host of therapies which can include Tui Na (a massage which is administered with the person fully clothed, similar in nature to shiatsu), food therapy, cupping (involving the use of glass ‘cups’ which stick to the skin via suction) and Die-da, or bone setting, usually imparted by martial arts experts to treat trauma such as sprains, bruises and fractures. From whichever way we look at it, we cannot argue that viewing health as a complex balance of different energies, is both fascinating and plain commonsense. e

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WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

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HEALTH

Stay Lean and Mean with Fat-Burning Foods

UPDATE

It seems too good to be true, but fitness and nutrition experts are now in agreement about the ability of a specific list of foods to boost the metabolism. Turbo melt your fat away with lean proteins like chicken and fish, fibre-rich foods including strawberries and blueberries (which help move fat more quickly into the digestive system), citrus fruits (which lower insulin levels) and spicy foods like chilli, which are rich in capsaicin, a substance which raises our basal temperature and enables us to burn calories more efficiently. Cinnamon, meanwhile, has been proven to help cells utilise more glucose for energy, so that less sugar is available for fat storage. When it comes to beverages, stick to green tea and green coffee, referred to by Dr. Oz as “the bean that burns fat fast.” Green coffee beans are basically unroasted beans; they are richer in chlorogenic acid, a compound which is thought to reduce blood pressure and induce fat loss by raising body temperature and improving lipid metabolism.

CAN HEALTHY EATING BE DANGEROUS? Healthy eating is a vital component of a long and happy life, but medical professionals are warning of a new health disorder called orthorexia (which literally means a fixation on healthy eating). Often, the disorder begins with a genuine interest in improving one’s health, but quickly develops into a compulsion, which can involve strictly avoiding specific foods. This can endanger our health and deprive the body of crucial nutrients. Orthorexia can also be linked to a mental condition in which sufferers become uncomfortable or anxious when those around them partake of ‘forbidden’ foods. It goes without saying that there is much debate as to whether orthorexia should be classified as a disorder at all, since unlike anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder, the emphasis is on ‘health’ rather than cutting down on calories or seeking to have a slim body shape. At any rate, health professionals recommend that those suffering from orthorexia seek help, to discover the underlying causes of their fixation, and to embrace a more balanced, enjoyable way of eating.

YOGA MAY REDUCE RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Aerobic exercise has long been known to keep heart disease at bay, but a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, has found that the ancient mind-body practice of yoga is also effective at improving cardiovascular risk factors. The study systematically reviewed 37 randomised controlled trials involving 2,768 subjects. Results revealed that yoga practitioners had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those who did no exercise at all, and a similar risk to those engaging in traditional aerobic exercises such as brisk walking and running. Additional benefits of yoga include a reduction of body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight and heart rate. Researchers noted that the positive efects of yoga may be related to its uniquely powerful ability to lower levels of stress hormone, cortisol, through a combination of controlled breathing, meditation and the performance of different poses (asanas).

Virtual Reality Therapy Teaches Self-Compassion with Avatars Self-compassion used to be equated with egotism, yet currently, this sentiment is considered a vital component of self-confidence and happiness. A talented team at University College, London, is now using Virtual Reality technology to immerse those who are plagued by feelings of inadequacy in a new world in which avatars are used to foster feelings of self-compassion. Participants wear a Virtual Reality Headset and body suit and react with a virtual (child) version of themselves. They speak to the child, addressing problems and saying soothing words. The technology then unites them with the child, so all their movements are echoed by the child. They next hear their own soothing words, uttered by a virtually real adult

version of themselves. Tests thus far have shown that participants become significantly more selfcompassionate and relaxed, and less self-critical after just one session. The researchers stated that they were currently working on assessing the effects of the new technology in the long-term. They report that what makes this technology so unique is its potential to be used to tackle a variety of mental health problems, not just a lack of selfesteem. They added that it could be used to address various sides of oneself: our shy self, brazen self, angry self, etc. New developments mean that the technology is increasingly more affordable, so that soon, it could be used by people the world over as a form of therapy, or to address mental health issues.

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spa

HEALTH

Whether you are a pro or competitive golfer, a keen student or a parent to a child with ADHD or other behavioural conditions, you may have heard of the inexorable link between lifestyle, stress levels and behaviour, and one’s health and performance. The physiological processes that govern the body and the nervous system are in a constant state of ﬂux, responding to how we think, feel and behave, as well as to the circumstances taking place in the outer world. Indicators such as our breathing rate, heart rate, blood pressure and temperature, change in line with the feedback they receive, in an attempt to ﬁnd balance. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

ADVICE

Bringing Balance to the Vital Rhythms of Life

Mind Matters

hen we are stressed and anxious, we think or we behave in ways that disrupt this delicate balance, compromising our health, wellbeing and performance. Biofeedback and neurofeedback, technologies backed by over 40 years of clinical research, provide a nexus between psychology and physiology; they are a means of witnessing what is going on in our body in a physiological sense, in real time and on a computer screen. Biofeedback and neurofeedback don’t just allow us to view our breathing rate, heart rate variability, perspiration rate or temperature, however; they go further, allowing us to alter the physiological processes that lead to anxiety, heart disease, Type II diabetes – and a host of other stress-related diseases – as well as those that affect our performance, cause us to lose concentration during an important golf game or lead to behavioural problems in children. Biofeedback and neurofeedback are exclusively offered on the Coast by local company, Mind Matters, which is run by Afshan Morgan, MSc, BSc, MBPsS. A highly experienced Psychologist, Afshan worked for many years in forensics, dealing with people

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suffering from stress, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, alcohol and substance abuse issues, problems managing children and adolescents and emotional instability. Through biofeedback and neurofeedback, Afshan found a way to directly see how the body’s physiological reactions affect how people view and relate to the world. Biofeedback and neurofeedback are used to treat a number of different conditions. These include insomnia, anxiety, ADHD, low heart rate variability, addiction, etc. The Italian National Soccer team has also relied on this technique, which can be geared towards improving an athlete’s performance in any sport. Ultimately, biofeedback and neurofeedback are for everyone who wishes to strengthen the body-mind connection and improve their health and wellbeing. A typical biofeedback/ neurofeedback session is not only painless, it is very interesting and, I would say, fun. Afshan gave me a session recently, hooking up electrodes to my trapezius muscles (to check for tension) as well as sensors to my hands (to assess my heart rate and perspiration rate) and my diaphragm (to measure my breathing rate). In a normal

session, the client would also have electrodes placed on the head to enable the therapist to obtain an EEG (electroencephalogram). This is a painless, safe test in which no electricity whatsoever is administered to the brain; the electrodes merely read the activity of the different brain waves and thereby glean vital information such as how a person responds to stress, if they are breathing correctly, etc. The therapist then uses this information to help the patient correct biological or brain dysregulation. In my case, Afshan found that while the normal recommended breathing rate is six breaths per minute, my rate was a whopping 19.5, something she assured me “is fairly typical owing to the amount of stress faced by many people on a daily basis.” Through the EEG, Afshan also sees which brain waves need regulation. She tells me, “Each brainwave is associated with a unique mental state.” There are five different waves: delta (the slowest brain wave, it brings about healing and growth and is present during deep sleep), alpha (associated with a meditative state and general good health), beta (which is involved in alertness and problem solving), theta (the ‘twilight state’ which

comes about just before we fall asleep) and SMR (which calms the body). Once Afshan has identified any problems (for instance, a person with too much theta activity might have difficulty paying attention, and someone with low beta activity might also have difficulty concentrating), she then uses cutting edge technology, obtained from the US, to correct this dysregulation. For instance, she might use onscreen games or music to invoke greater activity of a particular brainwave, and to train the mind to invoke these waves in one’s everyday life. Afshan also uses neurofeedback to teach meditation, “allowing people to achieve in two months, what would otherwise take years of practice.” It should be noted that it was a particular pleasure to work alongside Afshan, an incredibly warm but also highly focused professional. The value of neurofeedback and biofeedback can be summed up by Harvard Professor, Frank H. Duffy, who said that these techniques “should play a major therapeutic role in many difficult areas. In my opinion, if any medication had demonstrated such a wide spectrum of efficacy, it would be universally accepted and widely used.” g Tel: 678 152 143. www.mindmatters.es

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thepro NEWS /ENTERPRISE / LOCAL BUSINESS

/PROFILES / FINANCE / LAW

Gecko Pro Tour and PGA of Spain Reach New Agreement

The Gecko Pro Tour has reached a new agreement with the PGA of Spain, under which players in 2015 will have the opportunity to compete in new events through the distribution of invitations to the two groups’ respective professional tournaments. The PGA of Spain will offer an invitation to The Gecko Pro Tour for each of the tournaments they plan to host in their 2015 schedule. In addition they have extended an invitation to each of the two training seminars they will be holding in 2015. The Gecko Pro Tour will offer the PGA of Spain two invitations to each of the threeday tournaments scheduled between January and March 2015, which will count for Spanish national ranking points. The Gecko Pro Tour is also proud to now be associated with the Ernie Els Foundation (for autism), for which it has pledged to raise as much money and awareness as possible. The Atalaya Golf & Country Club recently hosted the Tour’s seventh tournament, taken part in by top players, including Javier Ballesteros. g www.thegeckoprotour.com

Winter Tour at the Mijas Hippodrome Famed equestrian centre, the Mijas Hippodrome, recently kicked off its prestigious Winter Tour, an event lasting six weeks and featuring various competitions with the participation of 1,000 horses and their respective riders and owners. Around 4,000 spectators are expected at the event, which will be attended by dignitaries and celebrities like the Infanta Elena and Alfonso de Borbón. For a full programme of events,

g www.hipodromocostadelsol.es

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Diana Morales Properties appointed as Knight Frank LLP’s Exclusive Associate in Marbella

Diana Morales Properties is proud to announce that it has been appointed as the exclusive Marbella associate of Knight Frank LLP, the leading independent global property consultancy with a worldwide reach of over 335 offices across 52 countries. DM Properties is a luxury Marbella real estate specialist with over 25 years of experience and a longstanding reputation for quality, integrity, service and ties to some of the most prestigious international luxury real estate brands. “DM Properties is a company with local market expertise but also global connections,” says Pia Arrieta, Managing Director of DM Properties. “Our collaboration with Knight Frank feels natural because our core philosophies are very similar. I believe this will form the basis for a very long and fruitful association. We look forward to working with our colleagues at Knight Frank and providing the kind of service both DM and Knight Frank clients have to come expect.” g www.dmproperties.com

Centro Forestal Sueco Has Been Sold Marbella Estates is pleased to announce that Centro Forestal Sueco, the emblematic hotel and rehabilitation centre built in the late 1960s, recently changed hands. Marbella Estates acted as the agent negotiating the sale and both parties are delighted with the result of the negotiation and the deal structure. The new owner, an English developer, is planning a new project for a hotel and some residential premises on this prime location site, only a stone's throw from Puerto Banús. “It was a pleasure to intermediate this deal”, says Kristoffer Mincberg from Marbella Estates. “Both parties understood the benefits for them and the new project will become one of the milestones for the foreseeable future in Marbella”. He adds, “The conclusion of the purchase will happen in October this year and will very much coincide with the construction of the new project”. g www.marbella-estates.com

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BANNI – Elegant Home Launches New Showroom in Marbella The Banni group, specialists in high-end interior design projects, recently launched a new showroom in Marbella. From the new headquarters, BANNI will be attending to clients from across Andalucía, taking charge both of partial and full projects. The new showroom measures 300m2 and presents a host of designs which serve as inspiration for clients seeking the very latest looks. BANNI boasts a talented team of specialists that can offer bespoke solutions for offices, homes, hotels, restaurants, etc. The company lends its services to architects, decorators and private clients. BANNI creates many pieces, also stocking items by top firms. g C.C. El Capricho.

Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 050. www.banni.es

Detox Programmes at La Cala

La Cala Spa is now offering various detox programmes designed by exclusive French firm, Anne Semonin, lasting ten days or just one weekend. All stays are preceded by a consultation, so that the team can offer you a bespoke programme. Guests will enjoy a series of treatments with draining, slimming, detoxifying, toning, stimulating and revitalising effects. g www.lacala.com

Triple A Hog Roast

Carlos Von Hohenlohe and Triple A (Animal rescue charity) recently hosted a hearty ´Hog Roast’ lunch, which took place at La Ratonera Restaurant in San Pedro de Alcántara. Guests tucked into perfectly cooked pork, crispy crackling, a fabulous array of vegetables and gravy. Triple A has many more events lined up, so check out their Facebook page and website to keep updated. g www.tripleamarbella.com

Kiwoko Mijas Celebrates One Year of Success Popular pet supplies store, Kiwoko, recently celebrated its first anniversary with an all-day party, inviting clients to free face painting, a photocall with a professional photographer, gifts and vouchers worth €100 for future buys. Kiwoko has over 8,000 members and attends to over 17,000 customers a month. The store sells food, toys, grooming products, bedding and much more. g www.kiwoko.com

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A New Look for Illusion Custom Home Automation Solutions San Pedro firm, Illusion, recently renovated its premises, focusing on expanding the office and enhancing lighting features. New work stations have been created to accommodate new team members. The design and implementation of the project was fully performed by Illusion’s own design and technical departments. g www.e-illusion.es

New Rotational Atherectomy Machine at the Quirón Hospital in Marbella The Quirón Hospital in Marbella is proud to announce that it has just acquired a new rotational atherectomy machine to treat highly calcified coronary lesions. The machine relies on a cutting edge technology which involves applying a small ‘drill’ to remove calcifications in an affected coronary artery. In this way, highly calcified plaques are ‘filed away’ and normally, a stent is subsequently implanted. g www.quiron.es

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Rhys Daniels Trust Christmas Golf Challenge

The Rhys Daniels Trust’s Christmas Charity Golf Challenge, which took place at the Marbella Club Golf Resort in Benahavís, was a great success, with 40 golfers taking part. Prizes went to The Mickey's (team category), Luke Wood (individual category), The Kudu Bar (team Golf quiz), Paul Sollari (Nearest to the pin) and Brett Little (longest drive). Prizes were donated by Tine from International Marbella and Mila from MP Consulting Spain. The event finished with a hearty Christmas lunch in Puerto Banús, raising €3.320 for the Rhys Daniels Trust, which provides care for seriously ill children and their families when travelling to specialist children's hospitals a long way from home. g www.rhysdanielstrust.org

Business 1st Launch in Estepona

Business 1st, a networking team with 32 members who meet every fortnight for a breakfast network meeting, recently held its launch event in Estepona. The group offers entrepreneurs and business professionals the opportunity to present their services and products to the members, share information and pass on referrals in a relaxed and friendly environment. Business 1st is the only networking group on the Costa Del Sol which has a live website for their members to use as often as they like to promote their services, products or offers not only to the other members but also to the group’s Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and website followers. g www.business1st.es

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Cirumed Clinic now Has Two Zeltiq CoolSculpting Machines If you haven’t heard of Coolsculpting yet, then you may be surprised to learn that it is a non-surgical method of freezing and eliminating fat, offering similar results to those you can expect from liposuction. The technique is ideal for those with a stubborn area of fat that refuses to go away despite diet and exercise. Almost all areas of the body can be treated, including tummy rolls, love handles and ‘saddlebag thighs’. There are only six FDA-approved Zeltiq Coolsculpting machines in Spain, two of which are now at the Cirumed Clinic. g Avda. Ramón y

Cajal 7, 4th floor, Marbella. Tel: 952 775 346. www.cirumed.es

World Class Mixology Competition Comes to Marbella The world’s most important cocktail making competition has officially begun, featuring the participation of bartenders from 54 countries. The Hotel Villa Padierna recently hosted the semi-finals of the competition, impressing the local jetset with uniquely creative drinks. The World Class competition has attracted over 15,000 bartenders from all over the world, who wish to transform, reinvent and elevate cocktail making to new heights. g www.diageo.es

Busy Days for Cudeca

Cancer hospice charity, Cudeca kept volunteers and organisers busy during the recent holiday period. Events included a charity Arabian dancing evening and a sponsored walk carried out by Rod Andrews, who walked from Málaga to Sabanillas. Cudeca additionally presented the documentary Al Escuchar El Viento (a film on the meaning of life and death) at the La Cañada movie theatre, and commenced a volunteer recruitment campaign for their charity shop in Álora. g If you have a few hours to lend them a helping hand, contact them on

Tel: 952 564 910. voluntariado@cudeca.org

Aloha College Supporting Cáritas

In December the pupils of Aloha College collected non-perishable food items and used clothing to take to Cáritas in La Cala de Mijas to be distributed to people in need within our local community. Just prior to Christmas, they delivered four large boxes of food and several bags of clothing. This inspired one pupil even further – Shaneze Sibille from Year five, in the Primary School, was so moved after delivering the goods, she decided to prolong the appeal. With her father’s support, she contacted several companies asking for further donations and delivered extra boxes of food to this charity. She is now expecting further donations of food from different companies. She has even asked her friends to bring food for Cáritas to her forthcoming birthday party instead of a present - Cáritas has proudly named her their ‘Junior Ambassador’. g www.aloha-college.com

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THE PRO finance

The last thing anyone wants is to have to be chasing one’s debtors. So a first piece of advice would be to avoid doing business with persons known to be insolvent or famed for being late payers. Registries of debtors are available, though they are not always accurate. Words Cristina Falkenberg

Claiming your debts

first piece of advice would be to always make sure of the true identity, permanent address and credit worthiness of the person we are lending money or selling goods and services to. Should they fail to make payment, do they have any assets against which we could collect monies? The question is more relevant than it seems: in the case of a sale of goods, in numerous cases, the law allows the seller to recover them, should the buyer fail to pay. However, in the case of services, this is not always possible. If the tenant doesn’t pay his landlord, it is impossible to recover his enjoyment of the property. If the performer doesn’t pay his musicians, or the lighting and sound of a show, how can we recover enjoyment from each member of the public? The money from the sale of tickets is probably long gone, and only an embargo on the proceeds from future shows could eventually work. Should one find oneself having to claim a debt, it helps to have taken certain precautions, the most obvious one being written proof of

the debt, whether in the form of a contract or other. In the case of a contract, it is highly recommendable that the contract includes a clause by which attempting mediation first is mandatory, and stating that if mediation should fail, that the parties are willing to seek arbitrage at a reliable institution. The Mediation law came into force on July 27, 2012. In case of conflict, the mediator will propose a mediation agreement which the parties are free to accept or not: for example, to pay the debt in certain installments. The agreement should immediately be notarised. Should the debtor fail to pay, it can be made effective in Court against any present or future assets of the debtor, or proceeds from their business or work (excluding a minimum amount they may keep to cover their basic needs). In the case of arbitrage, the parties will have to abide by the ruling, which may be executed immediately as well. As is obvious, cases of corruption of arbitral institutions are far more frequent

than those of mediators, hence the need to choose a reputable one. In the unfortunate circumstance of having to make use of the slow Spanish judiciary system, there are two phases: the first one involves the judge declaring we are owed a certain sum of money; the second requires making such a declaration effective. We can skip the first phase should we be in possession of any document the law regards as sufficient proof of debt, such as a notarised mediation agreement or an arbitral ruling, a court agreement or certain mercantile and notarial documents. However, we obviously need to be able to point out any real estate, bank accounts or other assets – preferably liquid ones – the debtor could have. Alternatively, we may ask the Court to initiate an investigation. If, however, we need a prior Court ruling specifying the debtor and the sum owed, we shall inevitably have to go through phase one. There are two options available: a special procedure or an ordinary one. Ordinary civil procedures for

debts valued under six thousand euros follow the more simple juicio verbal. You do not need a lawyer or a Procurador to represent you in Court if the sum is under €2.000. The procedure can take up to two years. If the debt is over €6.000, a lengthy and costly juicio ordinario must be followed, easily taking up to four years. An appeal is possible in both cases. Alternatively, an abbreviated cambiario procedure can be followed should you be in possession of a cheque, bill of exchange or promissory note. If not, you may opt for a monitorio, presenting an invoice, a dispatch note or other sufficient proof of having delivered goods or services. Again you are looking at a couple of years before execution is dispatched. A procedure often forgotten is the amicable agreement or conciliación previa, carried out before the Court Secretary, not requiring a lawyer or procurador – as the mere presentation of the monitorio – and which quite often helps to prompt payment. e

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THE LEISURE travel

houghts of China bring to mind pictures of an ancient and highly distinct culture, yet in truth this is a nation in flux; a giant awakening from a long slumber now ready to take its place at the centre stage of the world. Over the past twenty years this huge country has not just changed rapidly but positively reinvented itself – creating a whole new image of China as a modern, technological society steaming purposefully towards a new dawn. But the change, momentous as it is, is only skin deep. More than anything, China is a nation of contradictions, where a totalitarian Communist regime runs a market economy and prizes capitalist principles of production, consumption and efficiency – but also a land where the ancient ways live on in the shadow of newly erected glass towers. Venture into the rural heartland of this goliath and you begin to travel back in time, feeling the modern world recede as you probe ever further. For travellers, then, this country presents a world of opportunities in which you can opt for the glitz and glamour of the huge cities, visit classic sites of cultural interest or explore the ‘real’ China still alive and well in country towns and villages. The options are there, like a smorgasbord of delicacies to choose from, yet go now and you will experience a historic moment of transition in the life of one of the world’s great cultures.

Chuan Spa Infinity Suite at Langham Place, Hong Kong

The Langham Place, Hong Kong For many who travel to China for the first time, Hong Kong is the initial port of call. This bustling entrepôt, developed out of all proportion from a 19th century British trading post, is a wonderful place to acclimatise to a world as different as China. That is, if you can qualify this sudden explosion of sights, sounds, smells and impressions as ‘acclimatisation’. In many ways, Hong Kong is an accurate introduction to Chinese life, full of the beehive activity and wondrous new things to behold, yet it is also a modern commercial high-rise society imbued with both Cantonese and British colonial traditions. The former affects above all the food and culture, the latter the way of doing business and approaching the running of government. For this reason, if a democratic movement were to

Relaxation room at the Chuan Spa Langham Place, Hong Kong

arise in China, it would most likely start in this industrious metropolis otherwise dedicated to the pursuit of things altogether more materialistic. For this reason, the most ‘authentic’ way to experience Hong Kong is to do so in luxurious style, and if it is luxury and style you’re after, The Langham Place is one of the very best addresses to consider. Fittingly housed in a swish modern skyscraper, the hotel’s name conjures up the long connection with Britain and thus blends the various elements very well. Modern, luxurious and endowed with every pampering comfort you could wish for – from a spa to fine dining Asian style – you will find yourself in a 21st century city hotel with sufficient Chinese ambience to remind you where you are. i www.hongkong.langhamplacehotels.com

Tokoro Robatayaki & Whisky Bar, Langham Place

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Grand Lisboa, Macau Like an older, smaller version of Hong Kong, Macau has a longstanding connection with Portugal, for a long time the only European power with a foothold on Chinese soil. Though essentially Cantonese in nature, Macau’s Portuguese heritage is visible in the architecture, food and vocabulary – and where its larger cousin a little further up the coast is essentially a financial centre of international repute, this lively, compact city is now the world’s number one gambling and casino centre. Cross the iconic Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and you enter a very earthy world where Portuguese churches, public buildings and fortresses blend with traditional Chinese parks and the gleaming towers that house hotel and casino alike. Set within the heart of it all is the Grand Hotel Lisboa which, like The Langham Place, recalls the colonial past just as it represents the present. Glamorous and glitzy, in that slightly over the top kind of way that goes perfectly with a casino hotel, the Grand Lisboa offers a true Macau experience in which comfort, service and gambling are all on the menu. i www.grandlisboa.com

Casino style at the Grand Lisboa Hotel, Macau

Packet steamers have been replaced by jet airliners, and across from the Bund you will not see sampan plying the waters but modern ships framed by the glass towers of modern China. A giant in the midst of awakening, the ancient empire is hurtling towards modernity at a frightful pace – and yet there remains so much of the real China to discover. Visit now and you catch it on the threshold of two worlds. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ

Orient Travel to the

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Indoor pool at the China World Hotel Summer Palace Entrance

China World Hotel, Beijing Having explored these two ‘European’ enclaves on the edge of China, the temptation to delve further into this mysterious nation should become too great. Ignoring the commercial metropolis of Shanghai for a moment, the historic capital city of Beijing initially exerts the greatest pull of all. Here too a massive modern city is arising out of ancient ground, its expanse of skyscrapers is as indistinct as any on our planet, yet as the spiritual capital of Old China, Beijing is also home to many of its finest treasures. These include the now-infamous Tiananmen Square and its complex of traditional buildings, but also the Temple of Heaven, Tianning Pagoda and, of course, the enticingly named Forbidden City. Forbidden to all but those who lived and worked there, this expansive network of palaces, squares, gardens and service buildings was the Chinese imperial palace for 500 years from the Ming dynasty onwards. Regarded as one of the manmade wonders of the world, it

has not surprisingly been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Featuring such mysterious names as the Gate of Divine Might, this really is another world – and classical China at its very best. As a place for business, sightseeing or even venturing to the Great Wall, Beijing is therefore a great city to base yourself, and when you do it is important to choose a hotel with a strong Chinese atmosphere about it. Though set within a modern building, the China World Hotel is unmistakably oriental the minute you set foot in it. Rich and ornate in that typically Chinese way, it is also big and impressive, with towering ceilings hung with classic tapestries, inlaid with hand-worked wood and acres of floors covered in marble and/or thick, plush carpets. The China World Hotel is just that – a place for the world to come and soak up Chinese atmosphere within the confines of familiar modern comforts.

Beijing suite living Room

i www.shangri-la.com/beijing/chinaworld/

Arcade Level reception

The grand lobby at China World Hotel

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Banyan Tree Hangzhou Already more typically Chinese is Hangzhou, a large coastal city midway between Shanghai and the densely populated rice fields that for so long sustained this vast nation, and in reality continue to do so. An excellent year-round destination for business or pleasure, it is also a spot of great beauty, marked by a veritable Venetian water world of coastal islands and inlets. Water is never far away, be it from canal-side shops and restaurants, ethereal pagoda temples apparently floating elegantly upon the tide or lakes covered in water lilies and bordered by deep green vegetation. Within this glassy, reflective world you will find the Banyan Tree Hangzhou, a resort made all the more delightful for the way in which it is designed and laid out as an idealised Chinese waterside village. Dissected by little canals and the pretty bridges that cross them, this low-rise resort offers a luxurious yet also very authentic and unique experience of China. With its suites housed in pretty little ‘cottages’, the Banyan Tree Hangzhou brings the best of the orient, past and present, together in one place. Not surprisingly, the impressions upon entering the resort are simultaneously luxurious and oriental, a cocktail that, when combined like this, is highly powerful. Gorgeous Chinese décor draws the eye to individual furnishings, pottery, screens and lanterns played out before you in intimate soft light. Stepping into the lobby is like entering a private club by invitation, while the luxury suites are an equally enchanting place of classic oriental opulence with knowing touches of modern refinement and style.

The bedroom of a presidential villa at Banyan Tree Hangzhou

i www.banyantree.com/en/cn-china-hangzhou/ Water palace suite at Banyan Tree Hangzhou

Exterior night view of the romantic Banyan Tree Hangzhou

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The Anantara Emei Resort & Spa

Anantara, Emei If you are ready to venture yet more into this vast country then Mount Emei is a good place to begin. Set deep within the green mountains of Sichuan Province, not far from the borders of Thailand and Burma, it is a 3,000-metre high mountain that classifies as the highest of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains. A noted place of enlightenment, Mount Emei has been a centre of pilgrimage for centuries, its spiritual importance confirmed by the fact that it contains not only the first Buddhist temple built in China – now over 2,000 years old – but also no fewer than 76 monasteries perched upon its crest. The tender beauty of the natural scenery surely adds to the spiritual power of this venerated location, where looking down upon seas of cloud or standing in awe at dawn and sunset certainly rank as significant experiences. And if you spot not just pagodas but also copper stupas and the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra carved into rock faces, you are not daydreaming – they

are real. Indeed, a network of mountain pathways leads you eventually up the (many) steps to a giant Buddha hewn out of a mountainside. A little further downhill you will find the Anantara Emei Resort and Spa, a delightfully pampering spot on a beautiful lake where heaven and earth come together in one place. Featuring oriental architecture and décor touched with Thai-inspired highland elements, the resort is an oasis of peace and comfort surrounded by the visual bounty of nature. Choose a luxury room or even your own villa – the latter with its own private deck with grass-root relaxing hut and Jacuzzi. From here, immersed in absolute bliss, you can look over the resort’s own manicured gardens to the lofty green mountains and the unique outline of pagodas and Buddhist monasteries, knowing that yes, this is the real China. i www.emei.anantara.com

Oriental style welcomes you at the Anantara Emei Resort & Spa

Anantara’s luxuriant villas have their own Jacuzzis

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Garden terrace by night at The Puli, Shanghai

Sky Deluxe Suite on the Century Paragon cruiser

Century River Cruises China’s sheer size requires you to criss-cross it by plane, so perhaps the most atmospheric and comfortable way to explore this grand nation is by river. Century River Cruises is one of several companies plying the mighty Yangtze and other Chinese rivers en route from one natural or historic site to the next. A truly stylish way to travel, these large, luxurious boats are like cruise ships in their own right, offering every entertainment and comfort in between sights. From grand restaurants and lounge bars to nightclubs, cinemas, spas and casinos – not to mention swimming pools and spacious suites – the river cruisers pass by the smaller, less well known towns, villages and country scenery that really make up the true China. You could compare it to driving on country roads rather than sticking to the motorway as you make your way across China’s great waterways and landscapes. And when the tour does touch major centres, you simply transfer to a top hotel for a few days – bags carried and all. Two such destinations that really stand out

Imposing entrance to the Aman Summer Palace

are the aforementioned Beijing, where guests of tour organisers Transindus will stay at the Aman at the Summer Palace – a fantastic luxury hotel set within a complex of classic Chinese palatial buildings surrounded not by busy streets, but by suitably rustic scenery that will make any romantic’s heart melt right away. If you must visit that modern behemoth Shanghai, then Transindus makes sure you do it in style, selecting the Puli Hotel & Spa in which to enjoy a very contemporary interpretation of the Chinese experience. Surrounded by the towering icons of progress, you will also be close to the famous Bund – the elegant late 19th century waterfront made up of classically styled grand hotels and merchants offices. Venture into the core of the city and the two worlds – modern and traditional – clash and mingle before your very eyes, as if to symbolise the fact that you visited the awakening dragon at a time in history poised between the past and the future.

Century Cruises Paragon on the Yangtze River

i www.transindus.co.uk

Fine dining on the Century Cruises ship Paragon

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THE LEISURE nature

Griffon Vultures resting in dead Holm Oak tree, Los Alconocales

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Eurasian Griffon Vultures

NATURE’S FEATHERED BINMAN WORDS FEE BROOKES BUTLIN PHOTOGRAPHY GEOFF SIMPSON COPYRIGHT VISIONWILD.COM

hroughout the week, in the late afternoon, a municipal van trundles up our narrow, hilly lane to remove all the rubbish deposited in the non-recyclable bins by the residents and conveys it to a collection point. There the monstrous rubbish truck takes over: the knotted plastic bags and detritus disappear into its cavernous metal mouth and the vehicle and its glow-in-the-dark uniformed binmen magic it away to the local refuse processing plant which are easily locatable on the Costa del Sol by flocks of seagulls and sickly odours. There, out of sight and mostly out of mind, we trust that more use will come, from the mountain of waste, than harm. Did you know that Spain is both Europe’s and the World’s stronghold for a feathered kind of binman? One that never sat down with a careers advisor

and expressed a desire to hang off the back of slow-moving vehicles and have minimal working hours; but one that was born for a 100 per cent efficient waste-treatment process? This bird isn’t conventionally pretty; it is necessarily squabblesome, is unperturbed by stench, and does a job that would kill humans. It is meticulous and clean, mates for life, is an attentive parent and displays a mastery of thermodynamics. This amazing bird is the Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) and we are fortunate on the Costa del Sol to have these easily observable raptors in numerous nearby locations: Los Alcornocales Natural Park stretching from Tarifa to Grazalema Natural Park; throughout the Serranía de Ronda; Casares, and if you’d like to watch them sweep softly beneath you, at the viewing platform at El Torcal de Antequera.

A lone Griffon Vulture soars over the limstone cliffs and crags of Grazalema

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Griffon Vulture outstretched wings – Sierra Crestellina near Casares

Griffon Vulture at rest, Grazalema

Finding food is a major preoccupation for the Griffon vulture that needs to keep its one-metre-or-so-tall body adequately nourished. In order to achieve this, they have to start every day by attending to their plumage as ill-conditioned feathers mean lowered flight capacity. Once their grooming is finished,

the birds move off from the limestone cliff roosts that they favour in Andalucía and begin ranging for carrion. Equipped with a wingspan of around 2.4 - 2.8m, the birds launch themselves away to hitch a ride on the upwardspiralling thermals that form from the uneven heating of terrain, because of its variation, below them. For many of us, our first view of these raptors will be as outstretched silhouettes circling up and up until they are mere specks and disappear from our vision but, if we continue to watch, we may notice how the birds move diagonally across the sky as the rising air starts to cool and they have to fly lower to locate another updraft – not so dissimilar to the way a rugby

ball travels across and up a pitch. Griffon vultures are said to discover their food by observation in two ways: noticing something large and still on the ground or watching what other birds and animals are doing. When an animal perishes outdoors, there is an order in which other meat eaters attend the corpse owing to their capabilities and Griffons, with their weaker beaks, require a body that is already torn open. Current research in the ornithological world is unearthing the most fascinating details about the olfactory capacities across the rainbow of bird species other than previously supposed and it would be no surprise for evidence to surface in the future that the pungency of their food draws in these birds, besides the view of it. Vultures have no social delicacies about their dining and thus there is lots of noise, intimidating displays and avian scraps interspersed with bursts of gobbling putrefying flesh down into their crops. After gorging themselves, their powerful digestive system begins to break down the energyrich meat but, just like humans after a heavy meal, they have to rest before they can take flight again and head off for a good wash in a local stream or pond.

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DANESA

La revista danesa en España / Det danske magasin i Spanien

JANUAR 2013

NORSKE Det norske månedsmagasinet på Costa del Sol

Det

magasinet

S PA N I E N F Ö R S V E N S K A R

Sesongen er godt i gang på Europas sørligste skisportssted, Pradollano i Sierra Nevada.

Et ægte boutique-hotel

De vinder mere og mere frem, særligt i de europæiske storbyer, og nu også i de spanske. La Danesa har studeret det hippe boutique-fænomen.

Mandesnak hos Mærsk

Torben Gram forlod sit job i Danmark til fordel for et liv i Spanien uden på forhånd at have arbejde, bolig eller kendskab til sproget.

• Intervjuer • Nyheter • Utflukter • Sport • Fakta • Kultur • Profiler • Politikk • Mote • Helse • og mye mer...

Jacob Haugaard er tilbage

La Danesa har mødt manden, som den 17. februar besøger Kysten med sit show ”Jacob – Solo”.

Spanske barn møtte Karius & Baktus

Siesta - myter og realiteter

Nesten 200 spanske barn og deres foreldre fikk nylig sitt første møte med de norske tanntrollene Karius og Baktus.

Du trodde kanskje at siestaen var en så inngrodd del av spansk kultur at ingenting kan rokke ved den. Tro om igjen!

Loja - en blomst blant torner Loja ligger 60 km vest for Granada, og det var selveste Isabel la Católica som i 1486, da byen overga seg til de kristne, kalte byen en blomst blant torner – “flor entre espinas”.

JANUAR 2013

Ecológico

Med inspiration hentet i Spanien og i Wien har Kirsten Vaupel begået sin første roman, og kan nu tilføje titlen forfatter til rækken af kulturelle hverv på sit farverige visitkort.

El Mercadillo

Les mer om aktiviteter på Costa de Sol i ¿Qué pasa?

Kirsten Vaupel debuterer med roman

Tomatkrig, vikingeslag og tyreløb, religiøse optog, pilgrimsfærd og menneskepyramider er blandt højdepunkterne på Spaniens kuriøse, kulturelle kalender.

Januari 2013

Sesong i Sierra Nevada

• Interviews • Nyheder • Bolig • Finans • Udflugter • Sport • Fakta • Kultur • Profiler • Politik • Mode • Helse

Kuriøse fiestas año 2013

sueco

Fler och fler upptäcker kustens kanske hälsosammaste marknad

Utflykt

El Escorial tronar på minnen om makt och historia.

Motor

Trike – trehjulingar för vuxna.

Resa

Läs ett vykort från Aten.

Profil

Lennart Lundquist är mannen bakom Internetsidorna Svenskar i Spanien.

Golf

Det nya året inleds med stora rabatter.

A Griffon Vulture surveys its territory of Los Alcornocales cork oak forest

Griffon Vulture in flight – El Torcal de Antequera

Around the age of four or five years vultures will find a mate and reproduce. The search starts towards the ending of the year when males court females during aerial performances. Griffon vultures are monogamous and males are excellent nest-building partners and fathers. Nests are functional and made of sticks, vegetation, wool tufts and fur; one egg is generally laid and is incubated by the pair for nearly two months. The hatchling is dependent on its parents for protection from the elements; predators and for food which, to begin with, the father searches for and regurgitates for the mother and chick. With successful nurture the downy white and grey youngster who pecked its way into the world out of its egg will mature quickly and take on the golden brown adult plumage featuring darkened wingtips and a lionish ruff at the base of a neck whose feathers are pale and short. This livery lends

About Fee Brookes Butlin & Geoff Simpson

itself well to blending into the background on a cliff and is easily cleaned after feasting on messy meals. Although Spain is home to the greatest population of these vital birds, the species has suffered because of agricultural trends and short-sighted policies. The conversion of native habitats to agriculture and especially monoculture such as the vast tracts of olive trees has reduced over centuries the numbers of indigenous species that the Griffon feeds on. Usage of chemicals such as DDT weakened the raptors’ eggshells, lowering reproduction

rates. Most recently, the 2002 knee-jerk reaction of the EU to the BSE debacle led to the banning of all types of animal carcasses being left out for vultures, further decimating their food supply; subsequently the ruling has been relaxed. Happily, there has been much effort in Spain to counteract the problems the birds are faced with through measures such as feeding stations like the one near Cortes de la Frontera in the Los Alcornocales National Park which has a viewing area and a hide that can be booked. Programmes of reintroduction have also been supported at government level and there is ongoing development of ecotourism. Andalucía is home to the greatest number of flora and fauna species in Europe and the feathered binman, the Eurasian Griffon Vulture, is a star-performer. e

Fee Brookes Butlin is a journalist, writer and etymologist who works with her photographer husband Geoff Simpson, an internationally awarded professional documentary photographer and naturalist. His work is represented by some of the world’s leading stock agencies, including: Getty Images, Corbis, Saatchi Art and The Nature Picture Library. To find out more about Geoff please visit his website: www.visionwild.com

Portrait of Geoff Simpson by Bethan Lord

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RESTAURANTS / REVIEWS / NEWS / WINE / CHEFS / GUIDE

Alvin Leung is cooking up a storm at his Michelinstarred Bo Innovation in Hong Kong; his avantegarde dishes will surely whet your appetite, so make yourself a a snack while you read up on Chinese wine drinking traits and enjoy our interview with the owner of Marbellaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous Chinese restaurant, Tai Pan.

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Bo Innovation

Lincoln Lo from Tai Pan

Food News

Acontia Bombones

100 Wine in China

1/26/15 2:09 PM

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The X-Treme Cuisine of Alvin Leung

restaurant THE GOURMET

at Bo Innovation

Alvin Leung, Founder and Head Chef of three-Michelin starred restaurant, Bo Innovation in Hong Kong (and the one-starred Bo London), is the enfant terrible of Asian haute cuisine. Indeed, he refers to himself as ‘The Demon Chef’, a moniker the tattoo on his right arm attests to. Leung’s immense success in the culinary world belies his lack of training. He is completely self-taught and was, in fact, an engineer by trade in his past life. WORDS Marisa Cutillas

eung, who was born in London and raised in Canada, credits his frequent travels with having fostered a love for the varied flavours of world cuisine. In 2003, he took over an underground speakeasy in Hong Kong, launching Bo Innoseki, an unlicensed restaurant that would soon receive a stream of accolades owing to its shatteringly unique reinterpretation of traditional Cantonese, Hangzhou and Sichuan cooking. In 2005, Leung opened Bo Innovation, offering diners a unique experience which married a laidback, rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere to exquisite dishes which revealed influences from avante-garde stalwarts such as Ferran Adrià, Joël Robuchon and Heston Blumenthal. Restaurant Magazine notes that “Alvin Leung is billed more like a rock star than a cook,” thus his open kitchen, perched on a platform and offering a bar-styled setting so the keenest of diners can watch his talented team in action. The Chef says, “I like to challenge people’s

g www.boinnovation.com 186 ReR.indd 93

expectations, to surprise and excite them. My aim is to have people say ‘That was the best meal I’ve ever had’ and I just work backwards from that.” In the same way that Ferran Adrià took cuisine to its molecular state, Leung “breaks down traditional Chinese food to its bare essence and uses it to create new interpretations in modern forms.” From the moment guests step into Bo Innovation, they are immersed in an experience that reaches beyond established boundaries. Leung’s staff exude his own rebellious spirit, many of them sporting tattoos and outrageously coloured hair. These ingredients, married to their attentiveness and professional attitude, mark the Bo Innovation experience as highly liberating. The restaurant offers two set menus for lunch and dinner, as well as an extensive tasting menu at dinner time. Some of the many dishes that have caught the eye of critics include the Chef’s quirky interpretation of Noma’s Vegetable Garden (the latter

comprises a tiny organic garden, bearing real vegetables and flowers ‘growing’ in edible soil). Alvin is a rock God, however; his is a ‘Dead Garden’, presented in what looks like the bottom half of a goldfish bowl cut in two. The bottom layer comprises a vibrant green onion and coriander foam, while the middle contains ‘soil’ made from puréed dried porcini mushrooms, flour, lime and lemon. This artistic terrarium is topped with sautéed caterpillar fungus (which represent, of all things, earthworms!) and finally, a dead tree made from sautéed, dehydrated enoki mushrooms, dipped in liquid nitrogen to lend them a frozen appearance. Another Bo classic is the molecular Xiao Long Bao, a play on a popular Chinese dumpling which is normally filled with pork and stock. Leung takes the finesse factor up a notch, presenting a skinless ravioli filled with Xiao Long Bao juice and topped with a sliver of pickled ginger. The Demon’s most groundbreaking dish of all, however, would have to

be Sex on the Beach: an edible pink condom filled with what the Huffington Post called “a white, gooey substance,” no less than a brilliant manifesto of the importance of HIV and AIDS awareness. This arguably unappealing yet incredibly delicious creation is made by dipping a cigar tube into a jappa and konjac mixture, then filling the ‘sheath’ with a sweet mixture made of Yunnan ham and honey. The ‘sand’ is, as usual, made from powdered mushrooms. Bearing in mind the antiquity and reputation of Chinese cuisine, there can be little wonder that Alvin Leung has garnered as many criticisms as he has accolades, for breaking boundaries so brazenly. Yet he has undoubtedly achieved his aim of modernising Chinese cuisine and asserting the importance of originality and novelty. Nothing can be gained without risk; in Leung’s case, what began as a mad gamble, has turned into one of the finest exponents of creativity and good taste. ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY 2015 / 93

1/23/15 3:30 PM

THE GOURMET profile

Lincoln Lo Pioneer of Fine Chinese Dining in Marbella Lincoln Lo greets me on a fine sunny morning in the tranquil gardens which surround his iconic Golden Mile restaurant, Tai Pan. He is a veritable icon of the culinary scene, having brought fine Chinese dining to a culture-starved Marbella in 1982. It was a bold move, but one the Spanish would refer to as ‘acertado,’ for despite the fact that the only ‘Chinese food’ locals were acquainted with differed vastly from the real thing, Marbella was already a hub for tourists with a golden touch and the early 1980s were definitely the pinnacle of Marbella’s Golden Era. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

t Tai Pan, Lincoln’s regular client list looked like the ‘who’s who’ of savvy movers and shakers with an eye for the exotic: Adnan Kashoggi, Shirley Bassey and James Hunt were just a few celebrities seduced by dishes that simply could not be found anywhere else, such as soft-shell crab or lobster with noodles. The décor of Tai Pan was also starkly different to what one might have expected: bold red and black interiors were married to neutral table settings to create an atmosphere that exuded elegance and sophistication. Lincoln was determined to create the kind of restaurant that could compete with the very best Asian food establishments in New York, Paris or Milan. Lincoln’s background and extensive travels bestowed him with the discretion and passion for excellence that can only be found in those who are accustomed to the very best. He was born and raised in culinary oasis, Happy Valley in

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Hong Kong, though he pursued his education at boarding school in London. As a young man, he went to culinary school in the UK, honing his craft at the Trader Vic’s cocktail bar at the Park Lane Hilton Hotel, and at Hugh Hefner’s iconic Mayfair Playboy Club. Despite all his experience, however, he was forced to face a few glitches in the weeks leading up to the launch of Tai Pan: to begin with, all the restaurant’s sauces and dishes were to be homemade, yet it was simply impossible to find simple ingredients such as soy, ginger or spices. Importation was key, with many car rides made to Gibraltar, and orders sent to London, to ensure the Chefs had all it takes to produce delights like Tai Pan’s inimitable soy sauce, made from scratch. Along the way, Lincoln met the woman who would be a key factor of success and happiness: Ping, a former customer whom he would eventually marry and co-manage his businesses with. Indeed, we should

thank her for the culinary magic that happens nightly at the Tai Pan kitchens, since her brothers are the Chefs. Ping is a daily presence at the couple’s second restaurant, the elegant Thai Gallery in Puerto Banús. She also manages Sukho Thai, which serves home-style Thai dishes made by a female Chef. What all three restaurants have in common is their authenticity, excellent service and dropdead-delicious cuisine. Lincoln, meanwhile, almost never misses an evening at Tai Pan, musing that even in the toughest of economic times, what always kept him motivated and centred, were his customers. “We’ve been open for over 30 years, and this means that some of our older clients have passed away. We have seen families grow and expand. Many of our regular diners are children or grandchildren of clients from the 1980s and the bond we have built with them is very important to me… I love greeting new generations and feel that the

family meal is an important part of maintaining the ties that bind.” Building a list of regular clients involves a delicate balance of tradition and surprise; while there are many items Lincoln wouldn’t dream of doing away with, the menu changes seasonally and this Winter, for instance, the restaurant is receiving rave reviews for its seafood dishes and its crispy suckling pig. Tai Pan is also famous for its Dim Sums; “In London and Hong Kong alike, the time-honoured tradition of Dim Sum Sundays continues to hold sway,” he smiles. Lincoln and the team have many exciting plans for all three of their restaurants; their relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation is perhaps another key ingredient of their decades of culinary success… in a world where businesses open and close in line with shifting economic tides, it is good to know that there is always a place you can call home when you’re in the mood for fine Chinese cuisine made with love: Tai Pan.

g Open nightly for dinner. CN 340, km 177, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 893. 1/28/15 12:27 PM

THE ART OF FINE THAI CUISINE RESERVATIONS: 952 818 392 Open Every Evening for Dinner Ctra. de Cรกdiz Km. 175 PUERTO BANร S (Behind The Shell Petrol Station) Marbella www.thaigallerymarbella.com

TAI PAN chinese cuisine polynesian bar

Serving Marbella in a Select Atmosphere for Decades. Tel: 952 777 893 / 952 775 500 Puente Romano, Fase 2, Marbella. Open Daily for Dinner from 8:00 www.taipanmarbella.com

SUKHOTHAI Exquisite Royal Thai Cuisine

Tel: 952 770 550 Open Mon-Sat. C.C. Marbellamar, L-3A. Marbella. www.sukhothaimarbella.com

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THE GOURMET news WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Le Bistroman Opens at El Corte Inglés Puerto Banús

Ruta 40 New Steakhouse and Bar

El Corte Inglés Puerto Banús now has a brand new culinary temptation for clients: Le Bistroman, offering traditional French cuisine, excellent wines by the glass and delights like oysters, escargots and mussells, as well as roasts, dishes of the day and croissants, eggs benedict and waffles. The restaurant was opened by Miguel Ángel García Marinellis, Director of Asian restaurants Tse Yang, Café Saigón and the Tse Yang Dimsum Club, in Madrid. El Corte Inglés Puerto Banús also has a brand new Starbucks, serving up a wide range of coffee, drinks and snacks. i www.elcorteingles.es

in Calahonda

The Coast is abuzz with news of an excellent new steakhouse in Sitio de Calahonda: Ruta 40, brainchild of Diego López Massol, a restaurateur who has directed food havens in Puerto Banús and Canarias, worked alongside the Seven group and owned three of his own restaurants. Ruta 40 (named after the famous highway that unites the north and south of Patagonia, where Diego’s father hails from) serves up certified Black Angus steak, as well as an array of delicious fish and seafood dishes, presented with plenty of panache. Diners will also find snacks, Tex Mex dishes, and traditional Argentinean chorizo, black pudding and the like. The restaurant boasts a beautiful terrace and a 250-diner capacity. It opens from 9am to 12am every day, so why not start your day with a healthy Catalunyan or hearty English breakfast! g C.C. El Zoco, Sitio de Calahonda. Tel: 951 133 737. www.restauranteruta40.com

Messina Wins Prestigious Culinary Prize Every year, popular national newspaper, ABC, rewards the best restaurants on the Spanish culinary scene. During the seventh edition of the ‘Salsa de Chiles’ awards, organised by renowned critic, Carlos Maribona and held in Madrid, Marbella restaurant, Messina, took home the prize for Best Creative Cuisine Restaurant, as voted by the public. The award was accepted by owner and Head Chef, Mauricio Giovanini, who has spent all his working life creating avante-garde cuisine that is the stuff dreams are made of. The event was attended by some of Spain’s top Chefs, including Andoni Luis Aduriz (Mugaritz), Ricardo Sanz (Kabuki) and Juan Mari and Elena Arzak (Arzak). i www.restaurantemessina.com

New Website for

Da Bruno

The Da Bruno restaurant group started 2015 on the right foot, with a dynamic new website that makes it easy to find all the information you need and to make bookings online, as well as place a takeaway order. Enjoy easy access to each of the five Da Bruno restaurants and check out menus, special dishes, etc. The site also invites you to join Da Bruno’s many social networking groups and to make suggestions, request a VIP client card or send your CV in case you are looking for work. i www.dabruno.com

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Beachside chic...

Marbellaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Classic Night Out

Urb. Coral Beach S/N Km 176, Marbella Tel: 952 777 299 - www.besayabeach.com

Urbanizacion Rio Verde Alto, 29600, Marbella Tel: +34 952 861 382 - www.ďŹ ncabesaya.es

Panoramic views, intimate fine dining Urb. Guadalmansa, Ctra. de Cadiz KM 164, Estepona. Tel: +34 952 798 449 - www.tikitano.com

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THE GOURMET bonbons

Acontia Bombones

Each bonbon contains one of Acontia’s excellent wines. The varieties are as follows: Z ACONTIA TORO (aged six months): This bonbon contains white chocolate truffle and Toro wine. It is covered in Aguarini Valrhona dark chocolate and topped with orange/blue reflections. Z ACONTIA TORO (aged 12 months): This beauty is made with white chocolate truffle and Toro wine, covered in gold. Z ACONTIA VERDEJO 100%: White Ivoire de Valrhona chocolate is married to a Verdejo wine and covered in appealing green and white hues. Z ACONTIA RITUAL: A white chocolate truffle with gelee wine, covered in black Aguarini de Valrhona chocolate, sends us to Heaven. White and blue reflections on the exterior anchor us to Planet Earth. Z ACONTIA RIBERA DEL DUERO (aged six months): Contains a wine truffle and gelee reduction, covered in white Ivoire de Valrhona chocolate and violet reflections. Z ACONTIA RIBERA DEL DUERO (aged 12 months): Made with white chocolate truffle and Ribera del Duero wine, this sphere is covered in violet, silver and blue reflections. The bonbons can be purchased in sets of six or 12. Refrigerate them at between 16 and 18 degrees, and enjoy with a glass of wine.

The Wine You Can Eat Just a glance at winemaker, Bodegas Liba y Deleite’s new edible wine bonbons is enough to send any serious art lover’s imagination into overdrive. The smooth, brilliant orbs are reminiscent of beautiful, otherwordly things like planets or satellites, but also of homey, accessible items that are part of tradition and family life: think a Christmas tree ornament, a bowling ball, or a pearl… what becomes immediately apparent is that these sophisticated treats bring out the child in all of us, inspiring a sense of wonder, happiness and emotion. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ACONTIA BOMBONES

odegas Liba y Deleite was founded by Maite Geijo, a maître and sommelier who ran a Michelin-starred restaurant for over 10 years. In 1992, she branched out into wine production, with the aim of creating a wine that would be served exclusively at her restaurant. The bottles sold fast and by 1996, she had settled on two denominations of origin for her creations: Toro and Ribera del Duero. Maite has won several prestigious prizes, including the Premio Diamante 2014, the Bacchus de Oro 2014, and the Concurso Vino y Mujer. The forward-thinking entrepreneur currently heads a large team of oenologists who work together to create a select collection of wines which are easily comparable to some of Spain’s most lauded vintages. Acontia wine stand out for

another reason: it is the first wine in the world to be aged in Spanish oak from Navarra. The new Acontia Bombones were devised to bring the excellence of wine to a wider audience through a treat everybody loves: chocolate. Maite enlisted the help of master chocolatier, Rubén Dasilva, who reperesented Spain in the Gastronomic Olympics of 2014. Two years of hard work went into the selection of ingredients, chocolate types, wines, textures and colours, and the result can be summed up by the words ‘sweet victory’. In addition to bearing an inimitable appearance, the chocolate, sourced from luxury French chocolate manufacturer, Valrhona, bears a melt-in-the-mouth texture and exquisite taste, which is bound to please even the most discerning bon vivant. i www.acontia.es

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THE GOURMET wine

WORDS carlos read

According to 2012 figures, no fewer than 1,351 billion souls live in China – 48 per cent of them in rural areas. According to Time Magazine, in 2013, there were 2,378,000 Chinese millionaires – more than anywhere else except the US, with its 7,135,000. Tellingly, though, this represented an increase of 82 per cent in China since just 2012, compared to 18 per cent in the US.

Wine in China

awfully big numbers and beyond…

eantime, the national GDP in 2012 was $USD 8.227 trillion; and the vast wealth generated especially in coastal areas such as Shanghai, Canton, Peking, Tientsin and Manchuria has created a prosperous middle class in the 18 to 54 year old age group amounting to 378 million, 95 million of which are considered upper middle class. Middle class wine drinkers, who numbered 19 million in 2011, swelled in number in the year 2013 to 38 million (representing an annual per capita consumption of just 1.6 litres despite national consumption of 30.9 million ninelitre cases in 2013, placing China 5th in global consumption) and by 2020, numbers will soar to 70 and 80 million as coastal wealth creeps inexorably inland, the market expands, and demand increases exponentially. For this social segment, wine is for some an occasional obligation but for others plays an integral part of their self improvement in an ostentatious milieu where women are heavily into bling, men gamble spectacularly and it is vital to project a modern, rich and

sophisticated image. Curiously, however, when quizzed, according to recent surveys, 51 per cent of Chinese people say that they drink wine because they believe it is good for their health and 40 per cent do so because they like its taste, because it relaxes them or because it promotes a convivial atmosphere. Another reasons for drinking wine is the belief that it’s good for the skin. The country, in the midst of a protracted western recession, has therefore been a commercial Godsend for the last decade – not just because the richest of the rich have been hoovering up the best and biggest wine names in unprecedented quantities (counterfeiting is rife), but also because the middle classes have so far been insatiable for foreign wine regardless of its origin. Things are about to change big time, however, for whereas ‘wine’ in China had traditionally consisted of a substance more akin to flavoured vodka by virtue of being distilled from grain, the Chinese – with no uncertain degree of exterior finance and technical assistance – are getting their domestic act together

on an epic scale and the current, colossal volumes of imported ‘snob value’ wines will soon have to compete with ever-improving local offerings. Historically, a thousand years ago, the earliest grape wines came from the far west Turkistan oases of Xinjiang but these fizzled out as Islam came to dominate the area in the 14th and 15th centuries; and the next major effort was not until 1892 when overseas Chinese diplomat Zhang Bishi imported half a million vines from the US, built a winery in Yantai and appointed Austrian consul Freiherr von Babo as winemaker. Most of the vines perished, history does not record whether the consul knew anything about winemaking, but today, nonetheless, the Changyu Pioneer Wine Company is China’s oldest and largest wine producer, ranking among the top ten in the world with a turnover of some $USD 800 million. They are adventurous too, not just big – recently for example, they identified the startlingly remote Liaoning region (whose eastern fringe borders North Korea) as highly suitable for ice wine and in 2012, they embarked on cultivating

around 5000 hectares. Simultaneously, nationwide, in a vast country with immense climatic and soil variations, half a million hectares are now under vine in areas as diverse as the spectacular Xinjiang region around the Turfan Depression, Shandong province (300 kilometres south of Beijing ), the ancient Yellow River area and the Helan mountains (bordering Mongolia), not to mention the Yunnan region (towards Burma), where traditional eating grapes are being replaced by black grape varieties given the warm climate and the increasing demand for red wines that makes China the biggest market in the world. Equally, indigenous varieties such as Longyan (Dragon’s Eye) and Ju Feng Noir are being methodically replaced by classic varieties such as Cabernet and Chardonnay; and when these come on stream, the jump in quality will be significant. Regarding spirits, you may be surprised to learn that China consumes 40 per cent of all the spirits made in the world and in 2012, its people managed to ingest 1.201 billion nine-litre cases. e

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theguide RESTAURANTS / CINEMAS / GOLF

Price guide per head for a three-course meal with wine

RESTAURANTS

GYMS / TENNIS / SCHOOLS

under €25

€25 – €40

€40 – €60

€60 plus

gauchos

mytilus

AMERICAN

Open 10am until midnight every day. Plaza Antonio Banderas 17/29, Puerto Banús. Tel: 951 136 333

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village. CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 897 744

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plaza de Los Naranjos, Puerto Sotogrande. Tel: 956 790 212

HARD ROCK CAFÉ

Yanx

ruta 40

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces, esq. Marina Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 908 024

Open from 9am Monday to Saturday and Sunday from 11am for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 861

Open from 9am to 12 midnight daily. C.C. El Zoco, Sitio de Calahonda. Tel: 951 133 737

Jacks Open seven days a week from noon till late. Puerto Banús, Tel: 952 813 625, Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 563 673

Mr. gourmet burger Open from 6pm ‘til late every evening. Avda. Luis Braile 20, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 785 257

ROUTE 66

ARGENTINEAN

Tango

Buenos Aires South

Open daily for dinner except Sundays. Puerto Banús (opp. the car park). Tel: 952 812 358

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. C/ Virgen del Pilar, 6, Marbella. Tel: 952 779 297

BELGIAN

el banco Open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to midnight. Urb. Aloha Pueblo, Local 35, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 907 570

El Coto

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Ronda (El Madroñal), San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 786 688

FRENCH

Casa mono

Open Monday to Saturday from 1pm to 11pm. C/ Calderón Estébanez 19, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 578

le bistroman Open daily for lunch and dinner. El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

Valderrama Restaurant Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner only and on Sunday for Buffet Lunch. Apartado 1, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 132.2 Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 791 200

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GREEK

Grill del puerto

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 148

MARBELLA CLUB GRILL

Red Pepper

GRILLS

Asador Criollo Grill Open nightly for dinner. CN340-A7, km. 166, Cancelada, El Saladillo. Tel: 952 784 463

Asador guadalmina Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Urb. Guadalmina Alta, C.C. Guadalmina, Local 3, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 883 003

cabaña nagüeles Open Monday to Thursday from 11am to 2am and on Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 3am. Urb. La Carolina, Marbella. Tel: 951 134 083

El Carnicero Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Pueblo Viejo Cancelada. Between San Pedro & Estepona. Tel: 952 886 307

Open for lunch and dinner every day. Muelle Ribera 47H, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 686 Open every night for dinner. Marbella Club Hotel. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

Old Town Grill Open Monday to Saturday for dinner and Sunday for lunch. C/ San Lázaro, 3, Pza. Victoria, Marbella. Tel: 952 867 306

Piratas flame grill Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday. Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, Locales 37-40, Marbella. Tel: 952 865 940

Restaurante Rancho Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ctra. Cádiz, exit Las Chapas. Tel: 952 831 922

The Grill House restaurant

El Carnicero 2

Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday. C.C. Cristamar, Local 32, Puerto Banús. Tel: 951 319 842

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 176, Marbella. Tel: 952 867 599

INDIAN

El Gaucho Open daily for dinner from 7.30pm. Galerías Paniagua. Sotogrande. Tel: 956 795 528

El gaucho de banús Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle Benabola 9-11, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 167

el rancho del puerto Open for lunch and dinner every day. Muelle Benabola 4, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 252

Chowka

Open daily for dinner. CN 340, km. 166, Estepona. Tel: 952 888 353

Massala

Málaga. Tel: 951 500 022

Amanhavis

Open daily for dinner. 57, Duquesa de Arcos (Sabinillas seafront). Tel: 952 897 358

Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday from 8.00pm. Calle del Pilar 3, Benahavís. Tel: 952 856 026

Mr. india

amigos

Open daily from 6pm. Milla de Oro (next to Da Bruno a Casa), Marbella. Tel: 952 867 868

Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday. C/ Málaga 3, Benahavis. Tel: 952 855 175

Mumtaz

aroma

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Casa No.7, P. Banús. Tel: 952 812 090

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Moncayo 23, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 665 502

INTERNATIONAL

baboo lounge and restaurant

11&11 Restobar

Open Monday to Thursday from 7pm ‘til late, on Friday and Saturday from 1pm to 4pm and from 7pm ‘til late and on Sunday from 10am ‘til late. Dársena de Levante, Local 39, Estepona Port. Tel: 951 703 060

Al Rolo Open from 1pm to 4pm and 7pm to 11pm daily. At Reserva del Higuerón. Avda. del Higuerón 48, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 661 174

Albert & simon

Open every day for lunch and dinner, closing Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at 8pm. Ctra. Arroyo de la Miel, s/n, Benalmádena. Tel: 902 102 675

Bahia beach Open daily for lunch and dinner. CN340, km 146.5, Casares. Tel: 951 704 884

Bar d’o restaurant & Lounge Open daily from 11am to 2am (3am on weekends). Avda. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, Edif. Milla de Oro, Local 567, Marbella. Tel: 952 821 229

beach house

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 380

Open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday and for dinner only on Saturday. Closed Sundays. Urb. Nueva Alcántara, Edif. Mirador, Bloque 4-B, Marbella. Tel: 952 783 714

Jaipur palace

alberts

beckitts

Open every night except Tuesday for dinner. CN340, km 194, next to Camping Cabopino, Marbella. Tel: 951 310 004

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Puerto Cabopino. Tel: 952 836 886

Open Monday to Sunday for dinner. C/ Camilo José Cela 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 868 898

alumbre

Besaya Beach

Jaipur Purple

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Strachan 11,

Open Monday to Thursday for lunch, Friday and

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Urb. Coto de los Doles, Carril del Relojero, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 458

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Price guide per head for a three-course meal with wine

under €25

€25 – €40

€40 – €60

€60 plus

Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for lunch. Urb. Coral Beach s/n, km 176, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 299

Casanis Open every day from 6pm except Sundays. C/ Ancha, 8, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 450

Open Monday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. C.C. Azalea, Edif. A, CN340, km 173, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 339 309

BIBO

celima

El Bolero

Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday afternoon and all of Monday. At the Hotel Puente Romano. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 951 607 011

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Hotel Hermitage, Ctra. de Casares, Casares. Tel: 952 895 639.

Open every night for dinner from 8-11pm. The San Roque Club, CN 340, km. 127, Cádiz. Tel: 956 613 030

cerrado del águila

Black and white Marbella

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Urb. Cerrado del Águila, Camino del Acevedo, s/n, Mijas Costa. Tel: 951 773 521

Open every day for lunch. Open for dinner on Friday and Saturday. CN 340, km. 168, Estepona. Tel: 952 880 126

Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sundays for lunch. Cortijo Los Canos, Pueblo Nuevo de Guadiaro, CN-340, km. 132, Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 695 114 / 619 694 484

EL CASTILLO

Finca Besaya

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. C/ El Pilar s/n, Benahavís. Tel: 681 294 442

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Urb. Rio Verde Alto, s/n. Tel: 952 861 382

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle Benabola, under the Torre de Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 607

bono’s beach Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Cervantes s/n, Urb. Costabella, Playa El Arenal, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 236

Brunings Kitchen continuously open Monday to Friday from 1pm to 11pm. Saturday – dinner only. Closed Sunday. Las Palmeras 19, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 786 156

CAFÉ DE RONDA Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Avda. Ramón Gómez de la Serna 23, Marbella. Tel: 952 862 149

Cafetería ke

c’est la vie Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Paseo Las Palmeras, 15, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 783 394

El Campanario

and Sunday for lunch. At Marbella Golf & Country Club. CN 340, km. 188, Marbella. Tel: 952 830 500

El Restaurante del Casino Open every day for dinner from 8pm-4am. Hotel Andalucía Plaza s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 814 000

Fabiola

El Corzo

Finca cortesín Beach Club

Open daily for dinner. Hotel Los Monteros, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 187. Tel: 952 771 700

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Bahía de Casares, Casares. Tel: 952 897 296

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Algar, km. 3, Arcos de la Frontera, Cádiz. Tel: 956 704 131

EL GRAN GASTBY

Finca El Forjador

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle de Honor, Puerto Banús. Tel: 951 778 797

Open daily for lunch from 1-4pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Ctra. de Casares, km. 10. Tel: 952 895 120

dani García restaurante

EL JINETE

funky tapas

Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. At the Hotel Puente Romano. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 764 252

Open daily for dinner except for Friday. Ctra. La Cala Golf, km 45, La Cala de Mijas. Tel: 952 119 170

Open daily from 12 midday to 12 midnight. Avda. Miguel de Cervantes 34, Marbella. Tel: 952 811 590

cortijo fain

del mar

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Puerto Deportivo de Sotogrande, s/n. Tel: 956 790 333

Open daily for lunch and dinner. At the Hotel Puente Romano. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

cappuccino grande cafe

Don Leone

Open daily for lunch and dinner. José Meliá s/n (Hotel Gran Meliá Don Pepe), Marbella. Tel: 952 868 790

Open every night for dinner. Puerto Banús, Marbella. Tel: 952 811 716

D-wine

El lago Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Urb. Elviria Hills. Avda. Las Cumbres s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 832 371

EL MIRADOR Open for breakfast every day. At the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Resort. CN 340, km. 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

EL OLIVO Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner

Galeria San Pedro Open from 11am until midnight. Closed Sundays. Avda Las Palmeras 15, San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 780 927

fonda restaurante el postillón Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7:30pm to 11pm. Ctra. de Mijas, km. 1, A-387, Alhaurín El Grande. Tel: 951 254 520

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GD Gourmet deli marbella

Open for dinner Thursday to Monday from 7pm. Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km. 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

weekends for lunch and dinner, closed Tuesdays. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 136. Playa Guadiaro, Torreguadiaro, Cádiz. Tel: 956 615 998

La cabaña del mar

La veranda lobby bar

Open daily for dinner from 6.30p.m. Avda. del Prado, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 813 859

Open every day for lunch and for dinner from Monday to Saturday. Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona CN 340, km 159, Playa El Padrón, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

Open every day for lunch and dinner. At the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

hermosa

LA CANTINA DEL GOLF

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner from 7pm. Closed Monday. Local 1A. Puerto de Cabopino. Tel: 952 837 483

Open for breakfast and lunch until 8pm. Closed Sunday. Flamingo Golf Club, Cancelada, Benahavís. Tel: 951 318 815

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 6pm to 12am and for lunch on Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. Plaza Practicante Manuel Cantos 2, Marbella. Tel: 952 866 630

mosaik4

Herrero del Puerto

LA GRANADA DIVINO

los arcos

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Casas de Campos, 1, Málaga. Tel: 952 122 075

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesday. C/ de las Piedras, Gaucín. Tel: 951 709 075

hotel marbella club buffet

La Loggia

Open every night for dinner. Hotel Meliá La Quinta, Urb. La Quinta Golf s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 762 000

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday. Urb. Las Chapas, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 901

Open 9:30am to 9pm from Monday to Friday and Saturday from 12am to 6pm. Closed Sundays. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 7, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 049

girasol

Open every day for lunch. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

il mare Open every evening for dinner. Playa del Rodeo, Marbella. Tel: 951 319 372

karma

LIMA

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. Hotel Villa Padierna & Flamingos Golf Club, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 166 (Cancelada exit), Benahavís. Tel: 952 889 150

los bandidos

La Terraza

Ochoa, 12, Marbella. Tel: 952 864 895

MOJO Open from Monday to Saturday for dinner from 8pm ‘til late. Monte Paraíso Golf, Marbella. Tel: 951 217 272

momo marbella Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm to midnight. C/ Tetuán 7, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 560 Open daily from 12pm to 3am. Avda. Manolete, esq. C/ Los Lirios, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 929 467

mozaic

Miraflores Golf Restaurant

Open every night for dinner. Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 915

Open daily for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 199. Urb. Riviera Golf. Tel: 952 931 941

Los naranjos restaurant

NELI Gs

Open everyday lunch and dinner. Golf Hotel Guadalmina, Marbella. Tel: 952 882 211

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Urb. Los Naranjos de Marbella. Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 816 105

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C.C. Benavista, Estepona. Tel: 952 928 576 Open daily for lunch and dinner, except Tuesday. La Campana, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 814 041

Open every day from 10am until late. C/ Las Violetas 7, Conjunto Andalucía Garden Club, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 815 736

La Terraza

Magna Café

Open daily for dinner. La Cala Resort, La Cala de Mijas, Mijas. Tel: 952 669 000

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C/ Calderón de la Barca, s/n. Tel: 952 929 578

LA biznaga

La Veranda

Mc café

Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for lunch only. Ctra. Ronda, km. 46, Urb. Las Medranas, local 4, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 951 275 750

Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. Hotel Villa Padierna, Urb: Flamingos s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 889 150

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Marbella Club Hotel. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n. Tel: 952 822 211

La Verandah

Messina

la brisa

Open week days for dinner at 7:30pm and

Open for dinner Monday to Saturday. Avda. Severo

NUEVA CAMPANA OCHO Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. C/ Moncayo 12, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 460 232 / 648 502 822

oyarbide Open daily from 12pm to 12am. C.C. Guadalmina, Urb. Guadalmina Alta. Tel: 952 882 820

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Price guide per head for a three-course meal with wine passion café

Marbella. Tel: 952 924 613.

Open for lunch and dinner every day. C.C. La Colonia, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 781 583

THE PLAYWRIGHT

puente romano beach club Open daily for lunch. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

PURO BEACH Open daily for lunch and dinner. Laguna Village, Playa El Padrón, CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 800 015

Restaurante royal Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At the Hotel Torrequebrada, Benalmádena Costa. Tel: 952 441 414

Rojo Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday. C/ Granada, 44, Málaga. Tel: 952 227 486

Sea grill At the Puente Romano Beach Club. Open daily for lunch and dinner. CN340, km 187, Marbella. 952 820 900

shanti-som – amrita

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ctra. Istán, km 1, C.C: Le Village 15, Marbella.Tel: 952 771 046

Suave Open every day for lunch and dinner. Paseo Maritimo Rey de España 93, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 866 627

SUite Dinner and afterwards dance to music by resident DJ. Thursday to Saturday. Hotel Puente Romano, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Swing

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plaza de Los Naranjos s/n, Sotogrande. Tel: 952 790 392

Trocadero arena Open every day for lunch and dinner. Torre Real Beach, Marbella. Tel: 952 865 579

Open every day from 10am to 12 am. Complejo Benabola 13, Beach Side, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 929 055

Open Monday to Sunday from 2pm to 11pm. Avda. del Prado 20, Marbella. Tel: 602 822 598

trocadero beach

Il Tartufo

Restaurante bar carmen

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Playa de la Carolina, Marbella. Tel: 610 704 144

Open from Monday to Saturday for dinner from 6:30pm. C/ Tetuán 9, Marbella. Tel: 951 087 323

Trocadero Sotogrande

la fiorentina

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 806 739

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Paseo del Parque s/n, Sotogrande. Tel: 956 795 012

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. El Pilar, Local 11 (opposite the Crown Plaza Hotel), Estepona. Tel: 952 885 765

Venta garcía Open daily for lunch and dinner every day except Monday. Ctra. de Casares km 7, Casares. Tel: 952 894 191 Open daily for lunch from 1pm to 6pm. CN 340, km 166, Marbella. Tel: 647 791 515

zest

zozoI Open every day for dinner from 7.00pm till late. Plaza Altamirano 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 868

ITALIAN Al Dente

Open 7 days a week for dinner. Closed on Mondays. Urb. Jardines del Puerto, local 12, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 181

Amore e Fantasía Open every day for lunch and dinner from 7pm onwards. Muelle Benabola, Casa 5A, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 464

aragona Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda. del Mar 3, Marbella. Tel: 951 134 322

Aretusa Open daily for dinner. Front line P. Banús. Tel: 952 812 898

Carpaccio

tanino

casa tua

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. CN 340, km 168, Benamara, Estepona. Tel: 952 883 259

Open every evening for dinner. C/ Ortiz de Molinillo 14, Marbella. Tel: 951 712 227

Terra Sana

CONRADS IL Ristorante

Open Monday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nueva Andalucía next to the Casino. Tel: 952 906 205. Marina Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 977. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 951 901 050. C.C. Mary Sol, Sotogrande. Tel: 956 796 931. C.C. La Cañada, Marbella. Tel: 952 868 663. C.C. Parque Miramar, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 663 937

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Avda. del Prado s/n, Edif. Sport Café, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 628 593 409

Open 9am to 11pm every day except Sundays. Avda. Ricardo Soriano 1, Local 1 (Edif. Portillo), Marbella. Tel: 952 772 577

The orange tree Open every evening from 6:30 pm-11 pm. Plaza General Chinchilla 1, Plaza de los Naranjos,

Open daily for lunch and dinner except on Tuesday. Avda. Salamanca, Edif. San Pedro del Mar, Local 14, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 785 943

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. Guadalmansa, CN340, km 164, Estepona. Tel: 952 798 449

Open from 12-4pm and 7.30pm until midnight. Closed Wednesdays. Arena Beach, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 151, Estepona. Tel: 952 796 320

The meeting room

trattoria l’impronta

Frascati

Open Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 4:30pm and for cocktail hour from 4:30pm to 8pm. Centro Plaza, Marbella. Tel: 951 319 151

SMALL WORLD CAFé

€60 plus

tikitano

shiraz

Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Friday and Saturday for dinner only. Closed Sunday and Monday. C/ Aduar 12, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 277

Open everyday for lunch and dinner. Muelle Ribera, casa G-H, local 43, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 453

€40 – €60

Don giovanni

villa padierna club de mar

Skina

€25 – €40

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Manzana, Locales 8-11, Pueblo Los Arcos, Elviria. Tel: 952 830 868

Open Monday to Thursday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Friday and Saturday from 1:30pm to 4.30 pm and 8pm to 10.30pm. Ctra. de Ojén, km 22, A355, Marbella-Monda. Tel: 952 864 455 Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Puerto Deportivo, Local 15, Marbella. Tel: 952 778 334

under €25

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Frontline Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 357

Da Bruno Open all day. Da Bruno Cabopino: CN-340 Km. 194,7. Tel: 952 831 918. Da Bruno a Casa: Marbella Mar, Local 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 857 521 – closed on Sunday. Da Bruno A San Pedro: Avda. del Mar, local 1E, San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 860 – closed on Monday. Da Bruno Sul Mare: Edif. Skol, Paseo Marítimo, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 318/19. Da Bruno Mijas Costa: Ctra. de Mijas, km. 3.6, Mijas. Tel: 952 460 724

Da Paolo

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. de Antonio Belón 3, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 550

gold restaurant

la pappardella di estepona Open every day for lunch and dinner from 1pm to midnight. Puerto Deportivo de Estepona. Tel: 952 802 144

LA pappardella sul mare Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 807 354

la trattoria de marbella Open nightly for dinner from 6:30pm. C/ Las Malvas, Edif. Online, Local 4, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 591

Leonardo da vinci Open every night for dinner. Urb. Doña Lola, Local 21-22, Calahonda, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 934 667

Lombardo’s Open daily from 7pm. Galerías Paniagua, Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 795 924

MADE IN SARDINIA Open every night for dinner. C.C. Cristamar, Avda. Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 608

Villa Tiberio Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 799

Mediterranean Beata’s Vino y Mar

tempora Open nightly for dinner. C/ Tetuán 9, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 857 933

Oriental Asia Food

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Comercial, Pinares de Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 850 060

asiatico zen Open every day for lunch and dinner except Tuesday lunch. C/ Lirios s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 691

BAMBOO Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Ctra. Istan km 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 906 674

camurí RestaurantE lounge Open daily for lunch and dinner. At Laguna Village. CN340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 951 217 871

Dragón de Oro Open every day from 12.30-4pm and 7pm until midnight. Closed Monday lunchtime. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 141, Urb. Hacienda Guadalupe, Manilva. Tel: 952 890 956

mesana

golden wok

Open nightly for dinner. At the Gran Hotel Gvadalpín. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 133

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. Marbellamar, Marbella. Tel: 952 866 840

Metro Open every day for lunch and dinner. Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 446 460

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Monday. C.C. Los Jarales 6, Calahonda. Tel: 951 406 082/ 952 932 011

nunos

KABUKI raw

Open daily for lunch and dinner. At the Caleta Hotel. Catalan Bay, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 76501

Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. At Finca Cortesín Hotel. Ctra. Casares s/n, Casares. Tel: 952 937 800

O mamma mia Open every day except Sunday for lunch and dinner. At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

Pizzeria Picasso Open daily from 12 noon. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 669

portofino laguna village Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 808 035

Hanuri KOREAN BBQ & BAR

Kaiden Sushi Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Com. Guadalmina Alta, Guadalmina 4, local 2, lower floor, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 896 508

Kama Kura Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8-11pm. The San Roque Club, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 127, San Roque, Cádiz. Tel: 956 613 030

Ristorante Regina

Makitake

Open every night for dinner and Sunday for lunch. Edif. La Ruleta, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 814 529

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Ribera s/n (above disco Seven), Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 592

ristorante san martino Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pinares de Elviria s/n, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 832 702

Rosmarino della piazza Open every day from 12pm ‘til midnight for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pinogolf de Don Carlos 34, Elviria. Tel: 952 850 148

meca Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pino Golf, Don Carlos, Local 1, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 830 365 / 658 646 829

Namazake Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. Hotel Puente

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Romano. Tel: 952 820 900

Osaka Open every day 13:30-16:00 & 19:30-24:00. CN-340, km. 166 (Benavista). C.C. Costa del Sol. Tel: 952 885 751

RestaurantE asiático Bangkok Open daily for lunch and dinner. P. de las Orquideas, C/ Iris, 11B, Edif. Excelsior no. 1, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 813 603

Sakura Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda. Jardines del Puerto, L.5, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 536

Sapporo Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Costa del Sol, upper level. CN340, km. 166 (Estepona). Tel: 952 888 710

Sukho Thai Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday. Centro Comercial Marbellamar. Tel: 952 770 550

Sushi des artistes Open every day for lunch and dinner. CN 340, km 178.5, Marbella. Easy parking. Tel: 952 857 403

Sushi Katsura Open for lunch from Monday to Friday and for dinner from Monday to Saturday. C/ Ramón Gómez de la Serna, 5, Marbella. Tel: 952 863 193

Tai Pan Open seven days a week for dinner. H. Puente Romano, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 177, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 893

Tahini Open daily for lunch and dinner. Hotel Meliá don Pepe. C/ José Meliá s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 902 936

Ta-kumi Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Gregorio Marañón 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 839

Teppanyaki samurai Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Manolete 20, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 549

Thai Gallery Open seven days a week for dinner from 8pm. CN-340, km.175, Edif. Rimesa, Bajos, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 392

Thai Style Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Playas del Duque s/n. Edif. Gaviotas IV, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 675

tHapa thai Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. Puerto Deportivo 13, Edif. Poniente, Estepona. Tel: 951 318 445

top thai Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Plaza, 64, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 319 778

Tse yang Dimsum club Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sundays. At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

Wasabi Open daily from 1.30 pm for lunch and dinner. C.C. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 908 577

SCANDINAVIAN Aloha restaurant

Open every evening for dinner from 6pm to 11.30pm. Avda. del Prado s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 811 285

Skandies Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7pm to 11pm. Closed Mondays. Avda. Antonio Belón, 26 (behind the lighthouse), Marbella. Tel: 952 776 323

SEAFOOD

cervecería ostrería santiago Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. del Marzo, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 078

El Barlovento Open from 11am-4pm and 7.30-11pm every day except Mondays. Puerto Deportivo de Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 790 370

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THE GUIDE Price guide per head for a three-course meal with wine

under €25

€25 – €40

€40 – €60

€60 plus

Restaurante La Marina

Tel. 600 003 144

ATENAS

bel air tennis and paddel club

Open every day from 1-4.30pm and 8pm until midnight. Paseo Marítimo s/n, La Atunara, La Linea de la Concepción, Campo de Gibraltar. Tel: 956 171 531

mi taberna

Barquilla 1. Marbella. Tel: 952 776 240

Urb. Bel-Air, Estepona. Tel: 952 883 221

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. CN340, km 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 827 880

AZTEC COUNTRY CLUB

Club deL Sol

Urb. Riviera del Sol, Mijas-Costa. Tel: 952 934 477

Tennis/paddle classes. Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 595

Paellas y Más

CENTRO DEPORTIVO EL FUERTE

Club de tenis don carlos

La Torre

Open daily from 10:30am to 11pm. C/ Jacinto Benavente 33, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 511

Av. El Fuerte s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 861 624

Hotel Don Carlos, Avda. Zurita, CN340, km 192. Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle de Honor, Club de Mar, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 561

CENTRO DE YOGA Y SALUD INTEGRAL

Restaurante 1870

Ramón y Cajal 21. Marbella. Tel: 952 773 804

Club Internacional de Tennis

Open nightly for dinner. C/ La Concha, 11, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 783 836

CENTRO PLAZA GYM

Ctra. Cádiz, km 173. Marbella. Tel: 952 813 341

Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 074

Club Madroñal

Tragabuches

Cerrado del águila

Benahavís. Tel: 617 647 223

Mijas Costa, Málaga. Tel: 951 773 523

Club Nueva Alcántara

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Paseo Marítimo Rey de España, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 660 084

Open from Tuesday to Sunday for both lunch and dinner. C/ José Aparacio, 1, Ronda (pedestrian street between bullring and Parador). Tel: 952 190 291

CLUB DEl SOL

San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 788 315

Tennis /paddle classes. Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 595

Hofsaess tennis academy

palapa

Vila do grove

Dynamic training centre

Monte Elviria (next to German School). Tel: 952 835 812

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 951 217 871

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. C/ Las Malvas, Edif. On Line, Local 2, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 813 415

C.C. Le Village, Marbella. Tel: 952 775 021

Lew Hoads Tennis Club

FITNESS CENTRE NEW STYLE

Ctra. de Mijas, Km 3,5. Mijas. Tel: 952 474 858

Amapolas, s/n Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 916

Manolo Santana Racquets Club

Fuerte Gym

Ctra. de Istán, Km 2. Marbella. Tel: 952 778 580

Avda. El Fuerte, Marbella. Tel: 952 861 624

Marbella hill tennis club

loving hut

GIMNASIO ESTADIO

Avda. El Fuerte, Marbella. Tel: 659 677 539

Open daily from 10.30am to 11.30pm. Avda. Miguel Cano 11, Marbella. Tel: 951 245 889

Trav. Huerta de los Cristales, Marbella. Tel: 952 828 217

marbella playa tenIs

HAPPY DIVER’S CLUB

Miraflores Tennis Club

Atalaya Park Hotel, Marbella. Tel: 609 571 920

HOTEL PUENTE ROMANO

Urb. Miraflores, Km 199. Calahonda. Tel: 952 932 006

Marisquería La Pesquera Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plaza de la Victoria, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 170

Restaurante El bote

Santiago Open daily for lunch and dinner. Paseo Marítimo, 5, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 078

SPANISH Bahía

Open every evening for dinner. At Hotel Don Carlos. Avda. Zurita s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

beach club restaurante grill

VEGETARIAN

CINEMAS & THEATRES

CN340, km 189, Marbella. Tel: 657 619 630

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL MIJAS

CN340, Km77,5. Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Puente Romano TEnnis club

Open every day for lunch. Hotel Fuerte, Castillo de San Luis s/n and Hotel Fuerte Miramar Spa, Plaza José Luque Manzano s/n, Marbella. Tel: 902 343 410

Plaza de la Libertad 2. Mijas. Tel: 952 590 380

KRAV MAGA SELF-DEFENCE CENTRE

Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

At Hotel Pyr, Puerto Banús. Tel: 655 689 455

royal tennis club marbella

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL TORREMOLINOS

MANOLO SANTANA RACQUETS CLUB

El Rosario, Marbella. Tel: 952 837 651

Casa de la era

Plaza de España, Recinto Ferial. Tel: 952 379 521

Ctra. de Istán, Km 2. Marbella. Tel: 952 778 580

Sport Club Reserva del Higuerón

Open every evening for dinner. Ctra. de Ojén, km 0.5, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 625

AUDITORIO PARQUE DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN

MARBELLA GUN & COUNTRY CLUB

Avda. del Higueron, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 565 761

Marbella. Tel: 952 825 035

Monda. Tel: 952 112 161

Casa Fernando

CENTRO CULTURAL EL INGENIO

MARBELLA SPORT

Open from Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Avda. del Mediterráneo s/n, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 853 344

Garcia Morato, s/n. San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 968

Km 171.5. San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 788 315

CINESA LA CAÑADA

MULTI SPORT

La Cañada. Marbella. Tel: 902 333 231

Avda. Picasso 27. San Pedro. Tel: 952 782 801

DGust

cines gran marbella

New Concept Training

Open Monday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Avda. Duque de Ahumada, Marbella. Tel: 952 863 780

Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 810 077

cinesur

Monte Paraíso Country Club, Camino de Camoján s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 866 843

C.C. Miramar, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 198 605

02 CENTRO WELLNESS

El Portalón

MULTICINES ALFIL

Plaza del Mar. Marbella. Tel: 952 900 420

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch 1-4pm and dinner from 8pm-midnight. Ctra de Cádiz, km 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 827 880

Avda. Camilo José Cela, s/n. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 800 056

P-E SPORTS CLUB

MULTICINES MEDITERRÁNEO

Urb. Parcelas del Golf, Aloha Gardens, N. Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 357

Hacienda

Mijas. Tel: 952 663 738

qi sport

Open from 1-4.30pm and 7.30 -11pm. Closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays. Urb. La Alcaidesa, La Linea de la Concepción. Tel: 956 582 700

PALACIO DE LA PAZ

Urb. La Alzambra, Marbella. Tel: 952 907 090

Recinto Ferial. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 589 349

SATURNIA REGNA

TEATRO ALAMEDA

Marbella Tel: 952 761 475, Elviria. Tel: 952 834 835

La máquina

Calle Córdoba 9, Málaga. Tel: 952 213 412

SEVEN STARS SCHOOL

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sunday. At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

TEATRO CERVANTES Ramos Marín, 199, Málaga. Tel: 952 224 109

Tai Chi & yoga. Pasaje Estrecho, Estepona. Tel: 952 923 055

TEATRO CIUDAD DE MARBELLA

Sport Club Reserva del Higuerón

la moraga

Plaza Ramón Martínez, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 159

Avda. del Higueron, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 565 761

TEATRO SALON VARIETES

Ctra. Mijas, 1.5km. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 461 648

La red

Emancipación 30. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 474 542

SPORTING CLUB ATALAYA PARK HOTEL

Benahavís Tel: 952 855 500 Benalmádena Tel: 952 442 494 Estepona Tel: 952 802 002 Fuengirola Tel: 952 467 625 Gibraltar Tourist Board Tel: 956 774 950 Marbella Tel: 952 822 818 Málaga Tel: 952 213 445 / 952 216 061 Mijas Tel: 952 485 900 Ronda Tel: 952 871 272 San Pedro Tel: 952 785 252 Tarifa Tel: 956 680 993 Torremolinos Tel: 952 381 578

Open daily from 9.30am to 6pm. Playa La Fontanilla, Marbella. Tel: 952 821 450

VERACRUZ CINES Veracruz. Estepona. Tel: 952 800 056

CN340, Km 168,5. Estepona. Tel: 952 888 212

La Taberna del Alabardero

YELMO CINEPLEX

TICKET-TO-RIDE

TRAIN

Open everyday for lunch and dinner except Monday. San Pedro Playa, Urb. Castiglone. Tel: 952 785 138. Also at Ctra. de Ronda, km. 167, San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 265

Plaza Mayor. Tel: 902 220 922

Cristamar, Pto. Banús. Tel: 952 905 082

Mesón el adobe

ALHAMAR GYM

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces s/n, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 448

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesdays. Avda. La Fontanilla, Edif. Balmoral, Bajo 3, Marbella.

GYMS & SPORTS CLUBS C.C. Alhamar, CN-340 km 197. Tel: 952 934 684

SPORTCLUB ROUTE 66

Vitality studio C.C. Le Village, Marbella. Tel: 952 902 362

TENNIS CLUBS Aztec Country Club

Urb. Riviera del Sol, Mijas-Costa. Tel: 952 934 477

Tourist offices

Customer assistance T: 952 128 267 General Info T: 902 240 202 Reservations T: 902 240 202 Ave T: 952 128 079

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pets THE GUIDE WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Mouse, the Robotic Rodent Delights Cats for Hours If you love your cat and think it’s time to treat them with a fabulous new toy, why not delight them with Hexbug’s Mouse Robotic Cat Toy, a robotic mouse that scampers and hurries along at breakneck speed, inspiring your cat to indulge in a little game of cat-andmouse. The toy lies still until your cat paws at it and wakes it into action; it then begins to move randomly, starting, stopping and pausing just like a real mouse would. There are two different modes of operation: one slower for older/more docile cats, and one faster one for cats who love a good run! i www.hexbug.com

Guisapet Monster Cave Bed The Ultimate Resting Spot for Cats and Dogs This beautifully designed bed doesn’t retain odour, is fully washable and completely scratch- and bite-resistant. More importantly, it fulfils an innate need in your pet: the necessity to hide away and obtain much needed solitude. The bed is totally recyclable, which is good for the environment, though we suspect you’ll probably be holding onto it for its lifetime, since it is ultra comfy yet sturdy, and is UV- and mould-resistant, as well as antistatic. It also repels dust, which is great news as far as your cleaning routine is concerned. For dogs under seven kilograms and cats under eight kilograms. i www.guisapet.com

Savannah Designer Pet Bowls Collection

Who said your pet’s dishes had to be any less swish than your own? Savannah Designer Pet Bowls are made with the discerning pet lover in mind; the gorgeous bowls are made from reclaimed steel, which is then hand-hammered and nickel-plated to imitate the look of silver. i www.aristopaws.com

Pet Therapy Can Ease Exam Stress Numerous scientific studies from the past decade have shown that pet therapy has an important role to play in many settings, including centres for persons with Alzheimer’s and rehabilitation centres for those recovering from substance/alcohol abuse. A new study published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, however, has shown that pets can also produce mental benefits to university students preparing for exams. For the study, some 55 students were offered pet therapy with a registered therapy dog, under the supervision of a mental health specialist. During group sessions held twice monthly, participants were invited to pet, feed, groom, photograph, draw or hug the dog. The students reported a 60 per cent decrease in their levels of anxiety and loneliness after animal assisted therapy. The study is significant because loneliness and high stress levels are two of the most common problems faced by tertiary students. Dogs can be of great aid because they can sense when human beings are upset, provide much needed company and affection, and function as a bridge between patients and therapists in counselling sessions.

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THE GUIDE what’s on

Events in February and the first week of March Until February 15 MAFALDA – MÁLAGA

Mafalda is a well-loved comic character created by Argentinean cartoonist, Quino, in the 1960s and 1970s. She is also the subject of a new exhibition at La Térmica in Málaga. Featuring dolls, illustrations, sketches and much more. www.latermicamalaga.com

Until March 1 ART – MÁLAGA

The Museo Carmen Thyssen in Málaga presents Casas – Rusiñol. Dos Visiones Modernistas, an exhibition of work by two of Catalunya’s most famed artists: Rusiñol and Ramon Casas. www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org

Until March 2 ART – FUENGIROLA

Women in Art features a selection of individual paintings by Andalusian International Artists members, Tracey Stroud and Meta Wolters. Their works will be exhibited at C/ Maestra Ángeles Aspiazu 17, Fuengirola. www.aia-artgroup.com

ART – FUENGIROLA

The THB Class Hotel Reserva del Higuerón presents an exhibition by Sara Fitzgerald. Tel: 951 505 101.

Until March 7 EQUESTRIAN COMPETITION – MIJAS The Hipódromo de Mijas presents the Winter Cup, a six-week event attracting top equestrians like the Infanta Elena, Alfonso de Borbón and more. From Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm. www.hipodromocostadelsol.es

Until May 17 ART – MÁLAGA

The Museo Picasso Málaga presents Movements and Sequences. Permanent Collection, a dialogue between the work of Picasso and contemporaries such as Braque, Gris, Matisse and Miró. www.mpicassom.org

NEW AND REGULAR EVENTS Monthly on different days AMERICAN CLUB – MARBELLA

The American Club Costa del Sol Chapter meets monthly for excursions, sports and social events. Tel: 952 772 789. www.americanclubcostadelsol.com

AMIGOS DE LA CULTURA – COSTA DEL SOL

The members of this cultural group meet at different times and places for lunches, lectures, concerts, ballet, theatre, opera, etc. Further information, Tel: 669 445 809. smartkidsmarbella@gmail.com

TOASTMASTERS – MARBELLA

The Achievers Toastmasters Club Marbella meets every week at Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucía to practise public speaking skills. For further information, contact Maria on Tel: 603 133 805 or Percy on Tel: 646 533 112. www.toastmastersmarbella.com

Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE – MARBELLA

Integral Psychotherapist Gabriella Kortsch helps you with everything from relationship breakdowns to depression, poor communication with loved ones or financial stress, at her weekly group meetings, which start at 7:30pm. For information on locations, info@advancedpersonaltherapy.com

Every Tuesday JIVE – MIRAFLORES, ESTEPONA AND LA DUQUESA Learn to dance with Colin and the team from Jive Spain at Miraflores Restaurant on Tuesday, El Campanario on Wednesday and El Goleto at Duquesa on Friday. For precise times, colin@jivespain.com

Every Second Tuesday of the Month JAZZ – ESTEPONA

The Coast’s Jazz Appreciation Society meets at Benavista Country Club at 8pm. Classic videos followed by a live jazz performance then dinner. To book, Tel: 952 888 106. Further information from Brian Parker, Tel: 669 504 942.

Every Wednesday SALSA – MARBELLA

If you’re feeling the Latino vibe, brush up on your moves at Buddha Bar Marbella’s special salsa nights (featuring the Nicolás Valiente Dance Academy), which take place every Wednesday at 10:30pm. Tel: 655 480 748.

ART – MÁLAGA

The Museo Picasso de Málaga offers free guided tours in English (included in the entry price), from 11:30am to 2pm. Tickets cost €8 for adults. Children enter for free. www.museopicassomalaga.org

FLAMENCO – MIJAS

Every Wednesday at 12pm, a dazzling flamenco show takes place at the Plaza Virgen de la Peña in Mijas Pueblo. www.mijas.es

Every first Wednesday of the month CULTURE AND COCKTAIL – MARBELLA

The Association of Art and Culture Marbella holds a monthly cocktail at Magna Café at Magna Marbella Golf, from 8pm-10pm. Tel: 627 833 262. www.artandculturemarbella.com

Until March 8 ART – MÁLAGA

The Contemporary Art Centre of Málaga presents the first individual exhibition in Spain by artist Adrian Ghenie, whose beautiful works are inspired by the cinema and by historical events which took place in the 20th century. www.cacmalaga.eu

Every Wednesday and Friday MARTIAL ARTS – SAN PEDRO

Taekwondo expert Justin Menchen, who studied and received First Dan in Los Angeles (from Master Keith Jones) teaches Taekwondo to adults and children at TKD Studio. From 5:30pm to 6pm for Wassabi Warriors, 6pm to 7pm for kids and 7pm to 8pm for adults. Poomsae and Sparring WTF (light to medium contact) available. To sign up or for a free introductory class, Tel: 666 756 692.

Every Thursday NETWORKING – MARBELLA

The Marbella Business Group holds its weekly breakfast meeting, which features presentations, discussions and introductions of new members. At 8am at the Hotel Senator in Marbella. To become a member, www.marbellabusinessgroup.com

Every last Friday of the Month COFFEE MORNING – ESTEPONA

ADANA animal rescue charity coffee morning at Plaza Manilva (outside Longman’s Bookshop) 11am – 2pm. Kennels open 10am – 5pm Monday – Friday and 10am – 2pm Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Further information, Tel: 952 800 975. www.adana.es

BUSINESS LUNCH – MARBELLA

Marbella Business Institute holds an invitationonly lunch club for local and visiting business people, active and retired. To apply, visit www.marbellabusinessinternational.org

Every Saturday MARKETS – PUERTO BANÚS

Head for the Puerto Banús bullring every Saturday for a fun street market featuring everything from clothing to music, accessories and home ware. Starts at 9am and ends at 2pm. www.marbella.es

Every First Sunday of the month OPEN DAY – MIJAS

PAD animal shelter, Cerros del Águila, welcomes visitors from 12pm-3pm. Further information, Tel: 952 486 084. www.padcatsanddogs.org

Friday February 6 CHARITY CONCERT – CUDECA

Cancer hospice, Cudeca, and Steve Hughes at the Millenium Bar present Charity through Music, a fundraising concert by a host of local bands. The night will include a charity raffle and a pool and darts competition. Entrance is free. The event starts at 5pm. www.cudeca.org

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Tuesday February 3 to Tuesday February 24

Every Tuesday, Teatro Goya Cines presents interesting films. All films start at 8pm. Screenings are as follows:

Wednesday March 4 ISMAEL SERRANO – MÁLAGA

Hit singer, Ismael Serrano, presents hits old and new at the Teatro Cervantes de Málaga at 9pm. www.teatrocervantes.com

JAZZ – MARBELLA

The Ytre Suloen Jass-Ensemble and Tricia Boutté present a lively jazz concert at the Teatro Ciudad de Marbella at 8pm. www.elcorteingles.es

Friday February 6 to Tuesday February 10 MUSIC HALL – FUENGIROLA

The Salon Varietés Theatre presents Back to the Good Old Days of The Music Hall, compered by Colin Pollard and directed by Siân Hopkins. www.salonvarietestheatre.com

Saturday February 7 and Sunday February 8 ROB SAS BAND – SABINILLAS AND ESTEPONA

The Rob Sas Band will be performing A Shade of Deep Purple on Saturday at the Mayfair Music Lounge in Sabinillas at 8:30pm and classic rock covers at Louie Louie on the Estepona port on Sunday at 6:30pm. Further information, therobsasband@live.com

Monday February 9 CULTURAL LECTURE – FUENGIROLA

The Costa del Sol DFAS presents The Tragic Beauty of Ice – Photography of the Antarctic, a lecture about the moving story of Captain

Tuesday February 24 to Friday February 27 MIGUEL POVEDA – MÁLAGA

He is arguably Spain’s most famous young flamenco singer. Miguel Poveda performs at the Teatro Cervantes de Málaga at 9pm. www.teatrocervantes.com

Robert Falcon Scott’s last and fatal Terra Nova expedition to the Antarctic in 1912 and the so called race to the South Pole, illustrated with the photography of Herbert Ponting and Scott himself. The lecture assesses Scott’s leadership abilities, reveals the science behind his death and challenges the widely held view that he was a bungler. At the Salon Varietés Theatre at 4:30pm. www.costadelsoldfas.com

Friday February 13 JOHNNY WESTWOOD – FUENGIROLA Country music singer, Johnny Westwood, presents Keepin’ It Country, a concert featuring all your country music favourites. www.salonvarietestheatre.com

Saturday February 14 TANGO – MIJAS

Producciones Lastra presents a night of Argentinean tango at Teatro Las Lagunas in Mijas, at 9pm. Featuring singer, Mariel Martínez, who will be performing her show, Buenos Aires… Cuando Lejos Me Vi. Tel: 952 472 596. www.nochesdetango.com

February 3: The Paul McCartney Rock Show centres on the ex-Beatle’s Wings of the World tour in 1976. February 10: The Rolling Stones: This is a recording of the Stones’ legendary show, Some Girls, Live in Texas. February 17: Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin’s Celebration Day show at the O2 Arena in London is one of its best; the band gave a show to be remembered, playing rock and blues numbers to a packed audience.

February 19: Romeo and Juliet: This is Kenneth’s MacMillan’s first ballet, about Shakespeare’s famous pair of star-crossed lovers. February 24: The Flying Dutchman: Wagner’s opera delves into the themes of condemnation and redemption. The opera is directed by famed musician, Andris Nelsons.

Avda. Julio Iglesias s/n, Marbella.Tel: 951 196 665. www.cinesteatrogoya.com

PIANO – MARBELLA

Les Roches Marbella hosts a piano concert featuring Denis Burstein, who will be playing music by Schubert, Medtner and Rachmaninov. The concert will start at 8:30pm. Tickets cost €20. Students and children under 18 pay only €5. Tel: 689 000 944. www.musicaconencanto.org

MUSICAL THEATRE – MÁLAGA

Hedwig and The Angry Inch is an adaptation of the famed off-Broadway play about a transsexual glam-rock singer and her efforts to obtain star status. At 8pm at the Teatro Cervantes de Málaga. www.teatrocervantes.com

Friday February 20 CINEMA – MARBELLA

Música Con Encanto presents a documentary entitled Tango: Café de Los Maestros, about the legendary figures of Argentinean tango. At Iglesia de la Virginia at 7pm. Tel: 689 000 944. www.musicaconencanto.org

Sunday February 22 FLAMENCO – MÁLAGA

Antonio de Verónica and Saray Cortés. At the Teatro Cervantes de Málaga at 7pm. www.teatrocervantes.com

Saturday February 28 to Sunday March 1 OPERA – MÁLAGA

Enjoy the fabulous opera, Un Ballo in Maschera, by Giuseppe Verdi, starring David Baños, Arturo Pastor and Francesca Bruni. The show starts at 7pm on both days. www.teatrocervantes.com

Tuesday March 3 FASHION SHOW – MARBELLA

The Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Marbella will set the scene for a show of beautiful flamenco fashion. At 3pm. www.marbellacongresos.com

Friday March 6 CINEMA – MARBELLA

Música Con Encanto presents the documentary, Callas Assoluta, a film by Philippe Kohly about operatic diva, Maria Callas. At Iglesia de la Virginia at 7pm. Tel: 689 000 944. www.musicaconencanto.org

Por Derecho… Pasarela del Baile Flamenco is a lively dance show performed by the Compañía Flamenca de

Saturday February 28 MIGUEL CAMPELLO – MÁLAGA

Miguel Campello is a Spanish cantautor who sings a blend of flamenco and progressive rock songs. He will be performing at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga at 10:30pm. www.elcorteingles.com

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www.russellgrant.com

THE GUIDE stars

Russell Grant’s Monthly Horoscope February 2015

AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th Your social life sparkles at the beginning of February. Attend as many parties as possible. Laughing it up with friends gives you an attractive glow. The Full Moon on the 3rd further underscores your popularity. An attentive lover will seek out your company, as will neighbours, colleagues and friends. If you’re in a relationship, be sure to devote this magical day to your amour. It’s important to set personal boundaries on the 6th, or an exuberant person will walk all over you. Valentine’s Day may be stressful, thanks to confusion over your social calendar. Make sure you don’t double book yourself at this confusing time. The New Moon on the 18th attracts a job, but there are strings attached. Accepting this position will keep you away from your friends, thanks to the unorthodox hours involved. A better opportunity in the creative field will come along as February turns to March.

Your social life sparkles at the beginning of February. Attend as many parties as possible. Laughing it up with friends gives you an attractive glow

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ARIES [21 MAR - 20 APR] Joining a humanitarian organisation towards the beginning of February will have unexpected benefits. At least one of your new contacts will want to promote your work to an appreciative audience. The Full Moon on the 3rd is perfect for romance. This is a great day to profess your love or buy your amour a token of your deep and true affection. Valentine’s Day could be something of a letdown, when unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel plans. You might have to visit someone in hospital on or around the 18th, when the New Moon sends stress signals to serious Saturn. Problems with bones and teeth will require immediate medical attention. Life becomes much easier and breezier after the 20th, when your ambitions will soar sky high. If someone tries to block your path, just forge forward. You are destined for success, especially regarding matters of the heart. Pursue your passion. TAURUS [21 APR - 21 MAY] The early days of February are ideal for a creative collaboration. Surround yourself with artistic friends and relatives for inspiration. You will have an opportunity to make something of lasting beauty with the help of these people. The Full Moon on the 3rd is ideal for sealing a house sale or purchase deal. You’re sure to get a good price for a property. If you’re looking to buy a place, look for an older home that needs a little work, but has lots of character. Valentine’s Day could turn out to be a washout, especially if you’re planning to confess a crush on a friend. Prospects for an enduring relationship will be much better with someone you have recently met. The New Moon on the 18th warns against getting or giving loans. If you’re short of cash, try to make ends meet with existing resources. A secret romance gives the final days of February a dash of spice. GEMINI [22 MAY - 21 JUN] The opening days of February will be spent running errands, fielding calls and answering emails. Be diligent about checking your messages, or you’ll miss an important appointment. Meeting all of your deadlines will make a good impression on a seasoned professional. Don’t be surprised if this VIP offers you an important job. Resist the urge to make any big decisions until the 11th, when it will be much easier to hammer out a deal that is fair to both parties. Valentine’s Day looks like being a let down, due to your partner’s work commitments. The New Moon on the 18th brings a fresh career opportunity, but there will be strings attached. You won’t have much time for a private life if you accept this position. Your authority and experience will come in handy around the end of February. A teaching position will be lucrative and enjoyable. The students will love you.

CANCER [22 JUN - 23 JULY] Early February is ideal for going on a romantic break. It doesn’t matter if you’re single or attached; you will experience love on this journey. You’ll see a nice sum of money land in your bank account on the 3rd, when the Full Moon attracts additional income. It’s possible this sum will be earned as the result of a freelance job. Take care not to spend this hard earned cash on senseless luxuries. Put it into a savings account, where it will grow and multiply. Valentine’s Day will be a disappointment, when work or ill health forces you to stay home. The New Moon on the

18th warns against getting embroiled in a lawsuit. You’re better off cutting your losses than taking this matter to court. An intense flirtation gives you an attractive glow throughout the second half of February. Go ahead and splurge on a salon treatment or spa visit.

LEO [24 JULY - 23 AUG] You will gain admission to an educational or cultural institution during the opening days of February. This association will help you, both personally and professionally. The Full Moon on the 3rd brings fame and acclaim. People will start seeking out your creative work, paying handsome fees for your services. This is a wonderful time to make a name in an artistic field. Be willing to share the spotlight with your amour during the first half of the month, or resentment will set in. Valentine’s Day could get stressed and strained, due to some miscommunication about gifts. Your idea of a romantic present may be radically different from theirs. The New Moon on the 18th marks a power struggle. If you’re single, it may be because you expect too much of a romantic partner. If you’re in a relationship, use the closing days of February to make amends. A little tenderness will go a long way. VIRGO [24 AUG - 23 SEPT] Love is in the air in the early days of February. If you’re single, you will meet someone special at a museum, concert, or theatre. The Full Moon on the 3rd prompts you to spend a little time on your own. Take this opportunity to rest and relax. A loving relative will offer to run errands for you. Don’t turn down this generous offer. Work becomes a lot easier as mid-month approaches. You’ll finally be able to get colleagues to return your calls. Valentine’s Day will be strained due to career commitments. Don’t be surprised if your partner is forced to stay late at the office. The New Moon on the 18th puts strain on a close relationship. Have a heart-to-heart discussion with your best friend or lover about the frustration you’re experiencing. Working from home will prove productive in the final days of February. It will be a relief to escape office politics. LIBRA [24 SEPT - 23 OCT] A deep emotional rapport with a romantic interest makes the first days of February positively fabulous. You’ll feel like you are walking on a cloud of love. The Full Moon on the 3rd brings good news regarding a relative or neighbour. This calls for a celebration. You’ll be forced to choose between two invitations on Valentine’s Day. Someone is bound to be disappointed by your decision. The New Moon on the 18th marks an unwanted work assignment. As much as you will dislike working for a particular client, you will have to fulfil this job. Don’t be surprised when the customer continually changes their mind and places impossible demands on you. Fortunately, an attentive lover will be on hand to cheer you up. Schedule plenty of romantic dinners as February comes to a close. You will welcome these pleasant distractions, as they will remind you there is more to life than just work. SCORPIO [24 OCT - 22 NOV] The opening days of February are wonderfully romantic. This is the perfect time to go on a luxurious holiday with your amour. If you’re single, head for a seaside resort. You’re sure to find love while strolling the beach or sipping a drink by the pool. The Full Moon

on the 3rd finds you in the limelight. If you have a job, you will be given a promotion or award. If you’re looking for one, you’ll find a position that draws on your expertise. This calls for a celebration. The 8th promises to be wonderfully seductive, when your partner works overtime to satisfy your sensual side. Valentine’s Day may be less satisfying, thanks to financial constraints. Try not to be too disappointed if you don’t receive the gift you wanted. The New Moon on the 18th warns against taking gambles you can’t afford. You’re better off keeping your money safe in the bank.

SAGITTARIUS [23 NOV- 21 DEC] The Full Moon on the 3rd brings good news about an academic or legal matter. It looks like you will earn a diploma or certificate. Alternatively, you may prevail in a court case. Either way, this turn of events will open new doors for you. It’s a relief to move into unfamiliar territory. Don’t overestimate your expertise on the 6th. If an instructor arrives on the scene, you would be wise to listen to their presentation. This is a rare opportunity to acquire marketable skills for free. You may feel fed up and moody on Valentine’s Day, thanks to a misunderstanding. Try not to take jokes too personally. The New Moon on the 18th forces you to be more realistic about a family matter. If a relative needs extra care or a different living arrangement, you will have some work to do. The end of February is perfect for spending quality time with your relatives. CAPRICORN [22 DEC - 20 JAN] Your positive attitude leads to a moneymaking opportunity in early February. The Full Moon on the 3rd is perfect for settling debts and obligations. A business executive admires your fiscal responsibility and may offer a lucrative contract as a result. Your personal allure is very strong on the 8th, prompting a friend to confess a crush. Valentine’s Day could be stressful; thanks to some mixed messages you receive from your amour. If you’re single, this would be a good time to celebrate your independence. The New Moon on the 18th warns against signing contracts. A hidden clause will come back to haunt you later. Hold off on sealing the deal until the end of February, when you can negotiate a better arrangement. Business associates will respect the way you defend your interests. If you don’t hold your services in high esteem, nobody else will, either. Stand your ground as February turns to March. PISCES [20 FEB - 20 MAR] Your creative juices will flow freely at the beginning of February. There’s never been a better time to start writing a book, painting a picture, or joining a theatrical group. Choose whatever medium makes your heart sing with excitement. The Full Moon on the 3rd marks the successful conclusion of a work assignment. Don’t be surprised if you’re given bigger and better jobs as a result. Your boss is very impressed by your talent. An influential friend will promote your artistry to an appreciative audience on the 8th. Valentine’s Day could turn out to be a deflating disappointment when your boss asks you to work late. The New Moon on the 18th warns against making drastic changes to your appearance. Don’t waste money on an expensive salon treatment you will later regret. It will be difficult to get time off work during the second half of February. Practicing a relaxation technique will help you keep stress at bay. ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY 2015 / 113

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THE GUIDE family

Cute Winter Buys for Kids’ Bedrooms WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

If nothing quite gets your creative juices flowing like decorating your child’s bedroom in the latest styles, check out these cool bedding items by Spanish designer firm, Vertbaudet. Featuring sheets, quilt covers, curtains and cushions, the collection aims to celebrate the beauty of Nature and animals. Vertbaudet also has a gorgeous collection of Winter wear for kids who love to ski. i All items can be purchased online. www.vertbaudet.com

FAMILY FUN ANCRAA Giant Donkeys

Cuddle a donkey or become a volunteer to help save this humble but threatened animal. CN 340, km 164, Finca los Pajaritos, Estepona. Tel: 952 790 511 Aventura Amazonia Kids and adults alike will have fun in this outdoor adventure park, featuring exciting ziplines. C/ Valeriano Rodríguez 2, Marbella. Tel: 952 835 505. www.aventuraamazonia.com Bioparc Fuengirola Award winning zoo covering Madagascar, Africa and the Far East. C/ Camilo José Cela, 6. Tel: 952 666 301. www.bioparcfuengirola.es Black Box Teatro Dramatic Arts School for all ages. C/ Notario Luis Oliver 6, Marbella. Tel: 952 779 172. www.blackboxteatro.com Born to be Wild Jeep and dolphin eco-tours for the whole family. Open 9am-8pm. Blue Dolphin Beach Club, Estepona Beach. Tel: 639 720 246 Cable Ski Marbella Water ski cable system and pool. Open 11am-9pm (closed Mondays). Urb. Las Medranas, San Pedro. Tel: 952 785 579 Camelot Fun play centre in La Cañada with a wealth of games and activities and qualified child minders. Special events include baby and toddler mornings and a baby grow clinic, for mums to be and newborns. Ctra. de Ojén s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 764 766 Crocodile Park Educational park with more then 300 monsters. Pose with baby crocodiles. Open 10am6pm. C/ Cuba, 14, Torremolinos. Tel: 952 051 782 Dariela’s Cake Sugarcraft store and workshops for kids and adults.

Avda. Mayorazgo 6, Local 25, Marbella. Tel: 952 824 238

El Refugio del Burrito

Donkey sanctuary just 40 minutes north of Málaga. Open 11am-7pm. Fuente de Piedra, Málaga. Tel: 952 735 513 Flamenco Classes Children aged 5 to 8 can learn to dance flamenco with Isabel Gil, a professional dancer. Classes on Monday and Wednesday at the Nueva Alcántara Tennis Club. Tel: 952 788 315 Fuerte de Nagüeles Camps, adventures, farm school and sports for kids. Pinar de Nagüeles s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 821 400. www.albergue-nagueles.com Funny Beach Kids paradise with go-karts, trampolines, minimotorbikes, mechanical bull. Open daily. East side of Marbella. Tel: 952 823 359 Galaxia Versatile and fun play centre for children of all ages, with separate areas indoor and outdoor. Mega slide, mini planetarium, birthday parties, summer camp. Life size characters. C.C. Guadalmina, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 885 530

Ice Skating Rink and Indoor Swimming Pool New sports centre with public ice skating, indoor pool, children’s pool. Avda. García Lorca, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 577 050

Inter Marbella Football Academy Football Academy

for boys and girls of all ages, at Estadio Santa Maria in Las Chapas, Marbella. Training is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5pm. Tel: 646 427 589. info@ intermarbellacf.com

Karting Club Málaga Go-kart

circuit for kids and adults who feel a need for speed. Open 10ammidnight. Ctra. De Coin, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 581 704

Kid’s Club at the Marbella Club Hotel Help with homework

and fun artistic and sporty events for kids daily. Tel: 660 998 800. laurap@marbellaclub.com Kids Multi-Sports Club A plethora of sports for children of all ages and abilities, from tennis through to football, cycling and skateboarding. Parties with games, activities and bouncy castles. Urb. Parcelas del Golf, Avda. del Prado, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 656 618 712 Kidz Kingdom Fun play centre and birthday party area for kids, with a mini disco. Urb. Bel-Air, CN 340, km 166.2, Estepona. Tel: 952 925 936

Le Petit Milk & Roses

Pampering sessions for little girls, including manicures and dressups. C/ Estebañez Calderon 6, Marbella. Tel: 952 859 223 Little Fishes Swimming classes for newborns to 3-year-olds in Marbella, Estepona and Riviera. Tel: 686 498 561/ 607 875 949. www.littlefishes-spain.com

Little Gem Swimmers

Swimming courses for babies and toddlers along the Coast. Contact Blaise on Tel: 628 882 655 or Sami on Tel: 628 093 017. www.littlegemswimmers.com

Marbella Stage School

Kids can take accredited courses in dance, drama, musical theatre and singing after school on weekdays and all day on Saturdays. Tel: 952 906 865. www.marbellastageschool.com

Musical Babes Babies and

toddlers aged 6 months to 3 years enjoy singing, playing simple instruments and playing games. Tel: 952 853 027. Los Jazmines 11, Bajo B, Nueva Alcántara, San Pedro de Alcántara. www.brainwaves-spain.com

NMA The Nelson Music Academy Kids aged 4 to 12 are

introduced to music in its funnest aspects. Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm, Saturdays from 11am to 1pm. Edif. Jupiter 44, Local 3, C/ Jesús Cautivo, Los Boliches, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 478 416. www.nelsonmusicacademy.com Original Dolphin Safari The original dolphin safari, established in 1969! Daily sailings from Marina Bay, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 71914. www. dolphinsafari.gi Parque La Batería Kids will have fun in this park, built in the civil war era and featuring four replica cannons, underground bunkers and passageways. Urb. Montemar Alto (near the train station), Torremolinos. Plaza Mayor Family entertainment with multi-screen cinema, bars, restaurants, bowling alley and kids play area. Málaga. Tel: 952 247 580 Scouting Kids will have fun being a boy or girl scout. The programme followed is the same as that in the UK. Tel: 680 870 270 Sealife Centre See 2 metre long sharks. Touch pools and walkthough glass tunnel. Open daily 10am-6pm. Benálmadena Port. Tel: 952 560 150 Selwo Adventure Park Over 2,000 animals, 4x4 tours, plus

adventure activities. Open 10am9pm. CN340 Km 162.5, Estepona. Tel: 902 190 482 Selwo Marina Dolphins Exotic birds, penguins and virtual reality shows. Open 10am-6pm. Parque de la Paloma, Benalmádena. Tel: 902 190 482 Stagecoach Renowned performing arts school for singing, dancing and acting skills. The academy is open to four to 16-yearolds. Tel: 952 900 453/666 838 213. www.stagecoach.es Steam Train Ride Enjoy a steam train ride crossing the Andalusian mountains with a scenic trip from San Roque to Ronda. Tel: 952 931 186 Swim Bebé Swim Swimming classes for under 4’s and AquaNatal classes for mums-to-be. Tel: 617 520 588

Teleférico Benalmádena

Cable car to top of Calamorro mountain, falconry, trekking and horseriding. Arroyo de la Miel. Open 10am-6pm. Tel: 902 190 482 Tennis Camp Tennis lessons for kids from 4 years on, with professional coaches. Open 10am1pm. Club del Sol, Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 595 The Music House Kids learn, grow and have fun making music. Open to children from 2 years on. Edif. San Pedro del Mar, Blq 7, local 12, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 785 515. www.themusichouse.es Tivoli World Biggest amusement park on the Costa del Sol. Open daily from 1pm. Avda. de Tivoli, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 577 016

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