Ocean Village Magazine - Second Edition 2011-2012

PREMIER MAGAZINE

SECOND EDITION 2011 - 2012 WWW.OCEANVILLAGE.GI

Ocean Village Marinas & Berths

LET US FLOAT YOUR BOAT - SEE P4

Live the Dream

AT OCEAN VILLAGE - SEE P7

World Trade Center Comes to Gibraltar

DISCOVER THE GRAND PLANS ON P11

Low Tax for High Flyers

READ ABOUT GIBRALTAR’S MANY BENEFITS ON P35

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WELCOME

54 11

Welcome to Ocean Village This second edition of Ocean Village magazine comes at a very exciting time, not only for our marina resort but also for Gibraltar as a whole.

Ocean Village has been capturing the headlines for prestigious Property Award wins as well as its exciting plans for a World Trade Center having secured the 335th licence to be awarded across the globe to develop international trade. Meanwhile our Rock made the smooth transition from ‘tax haven’ to mainstream EU financial services centre on 1 January 2011 and easyJet, BMIBaby and Monarch have announced even more direct flights as they eye the opening of Gibraltar’s new £100 million terminal in 2012. There’s plenty to shout about and Ocean Village plays a starring role.

VAT-free and with Great British Pounds as the currency, Ocean Village provides retail therapy heaven with fashion boutiques, hair and beauty salons, liquor stores and interior designers lining the boardwalk. With lush tropical planting and a sunshine-soaked atmosphere, shopping here is an absolute pleasure. Adding some variety, street markets with stalls of handmade local goods are dotted throughout the Ocean Village’s colourful event calendar.

Should the energy levels dip, Ocean Village is a hive of hospitality with bars and restaurants lining the wooden piers and buzzing Leisure Island. From authentic Indian cuisine to the taste of Brazil, a pepperoni at a popular pizzeria to a pint of the black stuff at the Irish pub, we have it covered. As the sun dips we have a unique and chic nightclub whilst highrollers should head next door to the Casino - the first Gala Coral facility to house a casino, bingo club and sports betting zone under one roof.

For those after a more permanent business arrangement with Gibraltar, Ocean Village provides the ideal setting. Our existing 3,000m² of glass-fronted office space at Leisure Island Business Centre is 100% let; however, Gibraltar’s very own World Trade Center with 15,000m² of truly state-of-the-art space is ready for launch. This project will attract interest from the world’s most successful companies – particularly given the Rock’s attractive low tax regime.

With ‘work’ and ‘play’ covered, all that remains is to ‘rest’ in one of our award-winning residential plazas with upwards of 400 sumptuous apartments, many with incredible views of the Strait and Africa beyond.

Sharing an oasis of seven swimming pools, a Health Club and secure underground parking, these homes sold off-plan at record speed. Finally, we’ve even got a place to rest for the ultimate status symbol, the yacht, with berths up to superyacht size and duty-free fuel to boot.

Whether you already live in Gibraltar or you’re just day tripping – do pay Ocean Village a visit. You’ll be surprised at just how much Gibraltar’s premier address has to offer…

CONTENTS 04 07 11 15 21 26 29 35 44 47 50 54 66 68 73 75

Ocean Village Marinas & Berths – Let Us Float Your Boat Living the Dream at Ocean Village Ocean Village Gears Up for World Trade Center Gedime Motors Helps Mercedes-Benz Celebrate 125 Years Executive Aircraft – Toy or Tool?

Sheppard’s of Gibraltar – Chandlery of Choice Online Gaming – Let the World Play for Real Low Tax for High Flyers No Two Days the Same at Ocean Village Gibraltar in 48 Hours At the Water’s Edge in Ocean Village Gibraltar – A Hot Wedding Destination Florence – A Never Ending Beauty St Martin – Luxury Comes in Small Surprises Thai Cuisine Health Benefits of Olive Oil

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PRODUCTION: THE PUBLISHER Ocean Village OCEAN VILLAGE'S OFFICES Leisure Island Business Centre, Ocean Village, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA

TEL (+350) 200 40048 EMAIL info@oceanvillage.gi WEB www.oceanvillage.gi PRODUCED BY Renrows Marketing Consultants Ltd TEL 0044 (0) 1253 716400 EMAIL sales@renrows.co.uk WEB www.renrows.co.uk EDITOR Sarah Drane WEB www.purplecakefactory.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR & DESIGNER Andrea Böjti for ULTRA DESIGN® TEL: (+34) 952 766 344 CONDITIONS The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the magazine's content is correct, but cannot accept responsibility for the effects of errors or omissions.

Ocean Village cannot accept responsibility for the claims, goods or services of advertisers. 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 the Publisher.

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OCEAN VILLAGE

Ocean Village

Marina & Berths O

cean Village is a marina in demand and it doesn’t take the sleuthing skills of Sherlock Holmes to work out why.

Gibraltar in general has a huge throughput of yachts, its marinas turn away upwards of 100 boats a day in peak season, and this hunger is based on two factors – financial and geographical.

Competitive pricing is a major attraction for Gibraltar. At Ocean Village we have affordable berths available up to 35 metres LOA with prices starting from as little as £10.00 per day for vessels up to 12m. True World Top 100 Megayachts can of course be accommodated on a temporary basis as they stop to charge their tanks. There is also a trend for yachts to eye Gibraltar for more than just an ‘in transit’ visit. As a Port of Registry, Gibraltar is efficient, friendly, has no restrictions on size or tonnage and offers Cat 1 Red Ensign Group status. And, despite full EU membership, it throws up some advantageous opportunities relating to tax.

Gibraltar’s marine fuel is tax-free and the cheapest in Europe slicing around 40% off refuelling costs in neighbouring Spain – little wonder it’s the most important ship refuelling point in the Mediterranean knocking Athens into the number two spot. Captains and owners can reequip their yacht, buying goods VAT-free, and have them shipped to the Rock where there’s no import duty if destined for a yacht in transit. Additionally, crews particularly enjoy stocking up on familiar provisions in Gibraltar’s Morrison’s superstore – the busiest in the entire chain.

Geographically, Gibraltar makes sense as a stopover between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Most megayachts do the ‘milk run’ between the Med in the summer and the Caribbean in the winter with Gibraltar acting as the gateway. It’s also an idyllic base for exploring the marinas and beaches that populate the North African, Spanish and Portuguese coastlines bathed in wonderful year-round sunshine.

Ocean Village stands out as the most sheltered marina in Gibraltar, a vital consideration for megabucks megayachts, and offers sublime close-up views of Africa some 14km across the Straits.

All of these factors contribute to Ocean Village’s fast-gathering

reputation as the rising star in the superyacht arena and it is now legitimately competing with even the most established marinas across the Mediterranean. With the number of superyachts in circulation across the waters of the world ever-increasing, the award-winning marina has reacted by growing from 225 berths to 323 berths. These Premier Berths start from 12 metres (39ft) in length with a draft of 4.5 metres (15ft). Most are between 18 metres (60ft) and 25 metres (82ft) in length although the largest can accommodate 35 metres (115ft). Over 800 metres of ice-blue lighting has been laid along the waterways to provide a wonderful evening ambience, ideal for enjoying the nightlife on the doorstep in Ocean Village.

Officially opened in May 2010, these berths are entitled ‘Premier’ due to the wealth of services available from within the marina. They have 24 hour security with coded gate access to the pontoons, satellite TV, wifi broadband and access to various concierge and secretarial services. Occupiers of Premier Berths will also receive an ‘Ocean Village Premier Card’ offering crews concessions in certain stores, eateries, the Health Club and more to reward them for their loyalty. Unsurprisingly demand has been strong.

Ocean Village also has every conceivable ancillary service covered. On-site long-established chandlers can offer boatyard services as well as a specialist range of marine supplies. There are several cash machines within walking distance of the berths whilst major UK banks and building societies have branches in the town centre. And, for recreational pleasure, there are various diving and dolphin watching operators in neighbouring Marina Bay which falls under the same ownership as Ocean Village and adds a further 209 berths into the equation.

If owning one of these gas-guzzling gin palaces is nothing but a fantasy, Ocean Village can still help to fulfil your dreams. Spend any length of time in the marina and you’ll be treated to a beauty parade of some of the world’s finest megayachts. Over recent months Ocean Village has hosted 78m Samar; world top ten yachts Abramovich’s 162.5m Eclipse and 134m Serene, also Russian owned; and 74m Ilona belonging to Westfield billionaire Lowy.

And, for the traditionalists, in August last year 21m Phoenicia (a traditionally built exact replica of a 600BC Phoenician cargo ship) dropped by, BBC film crew in tow, whilst recreating the epic first circumnavigation of Africa. They eventually returned to starting point Syria in October after 20,000 miles and two long years at sea. What’s the betting the crew took advantage of the hot water and cold pints during their Ocean Village stop off...

Introducing the premier address to moor your boat in Gibraltar

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For further details please contact: Address: Pier Office, Ocean Village, Gibraltar Email: pieroffice@oceanvillage.gi Skype username: oceanvillagemarina Tel: +350 200 73300 (24 hours) Website: www.oceanvillage.gi/marina And for our latest Marina brochure, please email us at marketing@oceanvillage.gi

Gibraltar makes sense as a stopover between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic

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OCEAN VILLAGE

Living Like three sentinels protecting the marina, the soaring blue glass-clad residential towers at Gibraltar’s Ocean Village have become an iconic part of the Rock’s architectural landscape.

E

merging from a near neglected brownfield site, the developers have breathed life into a former eyesore and transformed Gibraltar’s skyline for the better and forever.

The story began in 2003 when the first tower, Royal Ocean Plaza, became the fastestselling large scale residential development in Gibraltar’s history. Reaching 16 storeys into the skyline, this inaugural project encompasses more than 100 apartments and penthouses within an idyllic waterfront setting in the good company of retail and leisure facilities.

Officially opening in February 2010, Royal’s successors - Grand and Majestic Ocean Plazas - shared a similar fortune in terms of sales. Properties within this duo were 80% sold on the first day of off-plan release providing yet further proof that Gibraltar continues to flourish whilst much of the Continent flounders in the face of uncertainty.

Unsurprisingly, the development has amassed a host of international property awards beating off some stiff global competition - including a prestigious Best High Rise Development Europe 2010 in the European Residential Property Awards in association with Bloomberg TV. The vast majority eligible as ‘Cat 2’ properties, essential for would-be Gibraltar residents, Majestic and Grand Ocean Plazas are very tempting prospects.

With 17 storeys, 121 unit Grand Ocean Plaza is the tallest of the towers and accommodates one, two and three bedroom Apartments on floors three to 14; two, three and four bedroom Presidential Apartments on level 15 and sensational Duplex Penthouses on the top two storeys.

Meanwhile 16-storey 60 unit Majestic 2011/12 PREMIER MAGAZINE - OCEAN VILLAGE 7

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OCEAN VILLAGE

Ocean Plaza houses two bedroom Apartments on levels three to 14 and two or three bedroom Duplex Penthouses on the final two floors. Both towers have undoubtedly the best views in Gibraltar, a mesmerizing vista passing from the imposing Rock, down to the Marina, across the Straits of Gibraltar and on to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa beyond.

Regardless of floor or price, all homes across the residential Plazas enjoy superior detailing. Sky TV, highspeed internet, individually controlled air-conditioning and ‘three layers’ of light dimmable to your preferred ambience come as standard. Meanwhile the living room has pre-installation for surroundsound home theatre. Bespoke German kitchens with no-mark stainless steel Fisher & Paykel appliances are both sleek and functional. All master bedrooms are finished with exotic hardwood flooring, designer blinds, floor-to-ceiling modular Poliform wardrobe systems and flow onto sweeping private terraces. Bathrooms are a sanctuary of rejuvenation and relaxation with hydro-massage power showers, decadent double-ended Philippe Starck bathtubs, designer Duravit sinks, daylight balanced mirrors and the pleasure of underfloor heating.

Owners have access to an oasis of

seven swimming pools, Jacuzzis, tropical gardens, a state-of-the-art Health Club and secure underground parking whilst the marina itself hosts an array of fine dining and drinking establishments, fashion boutiques, Gibraltar’s only casino and the ultimate - a berth for the megayacht.

The balmy southern Mediterranean climate is conducive to outdoor living and residents have the advantage of the golf courses and beaches of Spain just across the border. Gibraltar’s International Airport directly accessing the UK via Monarch, EasyJet and British Airways is within a comfortable stroll.

Naturally, the residential Plazas at Ocean Village attract an elite set of buyers from within the Rock and across the world including many extremely wealthy individuals who cannot resist the fiscal advantages of becoming resident in Gibraltar.

Ocean Village also ticks boxes for new residents of Gibraltar who have relocated to work in the many gaming, financial services and entertainment enterprises attracted by the Rock’s lowtax environment. This final market will only get larger as projects such as the 15,000m2 World Trade Center Gibraltar, another Ocean Village venture, come to fruition.

All Ocean Village’s residents have a multitude of facilities quite literally on their doorstep

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OCEAN VILLAGE

the Gibraltar

World Trade Center

“We need to have more offices, especially if the new tax legislation will provide an impetus for growth with new business and organic growth in insurance, funds and other areas.

We have got to have available on spec quality office space; otherwise they will come, like the jurisdiction, but won’t be able to locate here because of lack of physical infrastructure”

T

hese are the words of Peter Caruana, Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, spoken back in September 2010. His sentiments are certainly justified. Estimates based on current stock levels suggest that over 99% of office space in Gibraltar is either sold or let. Less than 5,000m2 is up for grabs and not all in prime location or condition.

There is an urgent need for world-class facilities but with only 7km2 of densely populated land to play with, pickings are slim. World Trade Center Gibraltar has landed at precisely the right time.

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Gibraltar’s application to establish a World Trade Center (WTC) was approved by the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) at the conclusion of its Annual General Assembly in Beijing, China, in October 2010. This gives Gibraltar the 335th licence to be awarded across the globe to develop international trade. Success was ensured by a unanimous vote in favour from WTC members after close scrutiny of the credentials and development plans submitted by Greg Butcher, the entrepreneur behind the large-scale mixed-use Ocean Village project and the location for WTC. After the presentation by WTCA’s Chief Operating Officer, Kofi Boateng, Butcher said, “Gibraltar will now have the world’s greatest address if you are in business. This is a great day for Gibraltar, and for our project, that the members of the WTCA had such confidence in our ability to create a WTC Gibraltar of which the whole international community can be proud.

Given such a wealth of support from the Gibraltar business community and Government, we are delighted to have been awarded the World Trade Center licence. Now the real work begins.”

WTCA President, Guy F Tozzoli, describes a World Trade Centre in any city as “a business shopping centre, complementing and supporting the existing services of private and government agencies”.

Established in 1970

to facilitate international trade, WTC is more than a building or an organisation - it puts all services associated with global commerce under one roof and then fosters cooperation between them. Gibraltar joins a membership that includes in excess of 300 WTCs in almost 100 countries with over one million affiliated companies. The WTCs enhance stability, peace, world trade and development which all lead to economic growth.

“World Trade Centers are inherently endorsed both by governments and the private sector.

This allows us to attract investment grade businesses, such as the global leaders in international trade and commerce, and they will make a powerful impact on Gibraltar’s future economy and status,” Butcher enthuses. “The presence of a World Trade Center significantly raises the profile of the location in which it sits and, thanks to a worldwide alliance, opens up local businesses to a world of interconnections opportunity.”

With outline planning permission already in place, the seven-storey 15,000m2 WTC Gibraltar building will effectively treble the office space already sold or leased at the Ocean Village development.

Some floor areas will spread over

3,000m2, the largest available in the jurisdiction, and present a key benefit to local firms now inconveniently operating from split locations. These open, flexible floorplans will help them to bring greater efficiency through economy of scale, improved communication and staff motivation.

The design also works well for newcomers attracted by Gibraltar’s new low 10% headline rate of corporation tax - down from 22%.

Pure office space aside, the prestigious superstructure will also include features such as business club executive lounges with dining facilities, secretarial services, yearround exhibition and display areas, virtual offices, state-of-the-art video conferencing and telecommunications, high speed lifts, climate control, electronic security access and CCTV as well as ample parking - this is office space for the 21st century.

A concierge reception for visiting Heads of State, senior inter-governmental officials and business leaders is planned for Gibraltar International Airport’s new £100 million terminal (scheduled to open in 2012) alongside dedicated executive meeting rooms at the WTC itself to accommodate these guests in comfort. And, since WTCs are reciprocal, members can access these facilities at all operating WTCs around the world - more than three hundred in number.

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Butcher continues, “There is a real willingness from Government and local and international business leaders for this project to succeed and, with interest already shown from potential occupiers, we are on target.

Many of Ocean Village’s existing partners involved in stock trading, asset management and gaming are keen to expand into WTC Gibraltar.

Additionally, the territory already has impressive success in financial markets and we would expect foremost brands such as American Express, Morgan Stanley and ABN Amro that already operate from WTCs to consider participating in Gibraltar’s - especially given the beneficial tax environment here.”

Certainly Gibraltar offers the best, or equal best, tax environment in the EU. On 1 January 2011 the new Income Tax Act came into effect and completed the territory’s 14 year transition from ‘tax haven’ to mainstream European financial services centre fully integrated into the EU. A key part of the Act reduced company tax from 22% to 10%. This complements an already very attractive array of fiscal fancies including no Capital Gains Tax, no Wealth Tax, no Inheritance Tax or Estate Duty, no Sales Tax, no Stamp Duty on share transfers and no

exchange controls.

The Rock is fully compliant with EU financial services regulation, money laundering and co-operation rules and has achieved OECD ‘White List’ status. EU, European Economic Area and Swiss nationals are free to work and reside in Gibraltar without a permit and personal tax is capped at a low level. Meanwhile ‘passporting’ of financial services has been in place since July 2003 allowing firms and certain funds to offer their services and products throughout Europe on the basis of their Gibraltar licence.

Also, interestingly, Gibraltar falls outside EU Customs Union which delivers substantial benefits that haven’t gone unnoticed by reinsurance and internet gambling companies in particular.

Gibraltar’s business friendly appeal doesn’t stop there. The Rock has political and economic stability (6.5% GDP growth for year-end March 2011 and an all-time high budget surplus of nearly 10% of overall Government expenditure) and an English common law legal system.

Gibraltar’s geographic location brings an advantageous time zone and proximity to investors and partners for face-to-face meetings. Personal lifestyle is also of a high quality with the award-winning marina resort of

Ocean Village in particular attracting many high net worth individuals to its sumptuous residential towers complete with Health Club, swimming pools, bars, restaurants, premier yacht berths and Gibraltar’s only casino on the doorstep.

Certainly Gibraltar offers the best, or equal best, tax environment in the EU

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MOTORING

Gedime Motors Ltd Milestones

125

years of

innovation When Carl Benz filed patent no. 37435 in Berlin on 29 January 1886, no-one could imagine how the modern-day motor car would take the world by storm over the coming 125 years.

L

ess than 100 kilometres away, the Swabian inventor and entrepreneur Gottlieb Daimler was successfully working on his motorised carriage at almost exactly the same time as Benz, completing it in that same year.

However, both had to wait a few more years before reaping any economic gain from their groundbreaking developments. But what is the key to the success of Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler that continues to hold true today?

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of MercedesBenz Cars, sums it up: “The systematic advancement of ideas, the determination to keep improving and the firm belief in one’s own success were not just outstanding qualities of Daimler AG’s founders; 125 years later, these same traits continue to form the unshakable foundation of the company’s philosophy today and point the way ahead for the future.” Around the world, the famous three-pointed star is not only recognised as a symbol of quality and safety. It also denotes a proud heritage, a lineage that

can be traced back to the very first automobile, patented in 1886 by Carl Benz. The founders’ pioneering spirit influenced everything the company did and has done ever since. Many of the motor industry’s key innovations can be credited to Mercedes-Benz – from the first series production diesel passenger car to groundbreaking safety features such as airbags, crumple zones and ABS. Today, the innovation continues with new initiatives such as BlueEFFICIENCY and Night View Assist Plus being developed all the time. But while Mercedes-Benz is always looking to the future, we also understand the merits of acknowledging the past. Just ask AMG designer Mark Featherston, who drew inspiration from the legendary 300 SL “Gullwing” to create the sensational new SLS AMG.

Gedime sold vehicles to Morocco and American military bases in Spain, with a representative office both in Rota and Rabat. In Rabat the company sold vehicles to the Royal Household as well as Embassies and the political class. From the 60s through to the 80s, direct Mercedes-Benz presence in Morocco was small and Gibraltar became an important hub, not only for the supply of cars, but also for many other commodities. In Spain, Gedime’s representative office in Rota actively sold Mercedes-Benz cars to the US military.

Today Gedime Motors is Gibraltar’s leader in the luxury car market segment delivering the whole range of Mercedes-Benz products including Smart and importing other luxury cars such as Aston Martin, Porsche and Bentley for the most discerning clients.

GEDIME MOTORS Gedime Motors became General Distributors of Mercedes-Benz in 1951 directly with Mercedes-Benz Germany, and has been offering its services both on the Rock and overseas for over 50 years. During the 50s, 60s and 70s,

CUSTOMER CARE Once you have taken the important step of purchasing your chosen vehicle, you can expect to receive the highest levels of customer care. Owning a vehicle from one of our brands means that you will be

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2001 - 2011

10 Years Devils Tower Road Showroom!

1951 - 2011

60 Years Mercedes-Benz Distributors!

1886 - 2011

125 Years of ‘The Auto Mobile!

supported by our highly trained and experienced service team and a parts department with one of the most comprehensive stocks in Gibraltar. It is important that you service and maintain your vehicle with Genuine Parts, fitted by factory trained technicians, to ensure your vehicle performs to the maximum of its ability.

The last sixty years have amounted to a wealth of experience which has contributed to the very solid client base attained to date. In 2001, the Showroom and After-Sales installations in 59 Devil’s Tower Road were inaugurated which provided the necessary infrastructure to meet client’s expectations. This move saw MercedesBenz vehicle sales grow considerably, immediately making a mark in the local luxury car market.

Such was the rate of growth that soon after in 2006 it was necessary to acquire the adjoining property 57 Devil’s Tower Road in order to provide parking facilities for clients. 2009 saw the opening of the showroom further down Devil’s Tower Road at Eaton Park from where the Tata franchise and quality used cars are marketed. Gedime Motors is set for major expansion in the after-sales sector in the near future, providing premium automotive services and products for all makes. This will undoubtedly open their doors to new clients who will experience at first hand the exceptional service that they provide.

“The systematic advancement of ideas, the determination to keep improving and the firm belief in one’s own success were not just outstanding qualities of Daimler AG’s founders; 125 years later, these same traits continue to form the unshakable foundation of the company’s philosophy today and point the way ahead for the future.”

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars

GEDIME MOTORS LTD. General Distributors of Mercedes-Benz for Gibraltar. 59 Devils Tower Road, P.O. Box 853, GIBRALTAR. Tel: +350 200 45888 Fax: +350 200 46888

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AVIATION

Executive Aircraft

IAN LE BRETON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, SOVEREIGN TRUST (GIBRALTAR) LIMITED

Toy or Tool?

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN T RICHARDS

Since the implementation of the Córdoba Agreement in 2006 – when restrictions were removed to permit direct flights from Spain – Gibraltar residents may have noticed an increasing number of small, private aircraft using the airport. We have certainly seen an increase in corporate jet activity and I expect to see this increase when the new terminal opens. I understand there will be services dedicated to the business aviation industry based from the terminal.

B

ut how, in these economically strained times, can such “toys” be justified? Surely this is yet another example of the type of corporate excess that should have been consigned to history. A number of large companies certainly seem to think so – they have either sold or downsized their aircraft fleets in recent years. But is there any place for expensive business aircraft in the post-crisis economic world in which we now find ourselves?

In my opinion, there is. Executive aircraft come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and there are many ways to own or operate them from full to fractional ownership, or simply chartering on an ad hoc basis. Under the right circumstances, the sensible use of a private jet – however this is done – can not only be

economically justified, it can be a very attractive option both to business people and the companies they represent. Read on.

Consider this example. Imagine you are in Gibraltar with five colleagues and you need to get to Nice for a meeting. There are no direct flights from here and although Málaga is only a hundred miles up the coast, surprisingly there are no direct flights to Nice from there either. Our party of six business executives is now faced with a dilemma and at least two flights – perhaps to London or Paris, then an onward connection. How much more simple it would be to charter a business jet for a direct flight from Gib to Nice – and presumably back again, although of course that may not be necessary.

The advantages speak for themselves. The party simply turns up at the airport very close to departure time and, in this example, the round trip could easily be achieved in just one day. Naturally the formalities remain but they are generally easier to complete and there’s no need to arrive up to two hours before departure as with commercial trips.

A direct flight straight to the airport closest to where you want to go could be just what your company needs. There will be a considerable saving of down time and any of the usual difficulties one can encounter when using scheduled airline services – cancellations, overbooking, delays – will be avoided.

In addition, confidentiality is assured and, because the fellow passengers are likely to be colleagues or associates, the flight time can be spent more profitably.

What is the likely price for such convenience? As always this can vary widely but, as an example, local private charter firm GibJets (www.gibjets.com) charges from £2,500 per flying hour. Divide that between the six passengers that its aircraft might typically carry, and one can start to appreciate the commercial sense of using this option. Add to that the fact that executive jets can use a much greater range of airfields than

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those available to commercial airliners, then the expense becomes even easier to rationalise. Business jets can land at airports with limited facilities and very often – depending on the type of aircraft – they can be operated by just a single pilot.

So much for the theory. In these days of economic austerity what is the state of the market for business jets? They range in price from the so called “Very Light Jet” or VLJ (sometimes referred to as “Entry Level Jets”) to airliners such as the four engine Airbus A340 used by a very select band of billionaires and royalty for their private, or executive, use. The price tags match this wide range, starting at a couple of million dollars but easily rising to US$100m or more for the airliner-size versions.

My colleagues at Register An Aircraft. com, Sovereign’s aviation division, report that the sector has certainly seen a noticeable downturn since the onset of the global economic crisis. The use of business jets as a corporate tool was much criticised at the height of the crisis; who can forget the outcry over bankers and automakers flying to Washington in their private jets to testify at congressional hearings into the massive government bailouts they were receiving?

As the economic situation stabilises, at least in certain countries, the use of corporate jets is once again becoming more acceptable for many international businesses (and more importantly their shareholders). The business case for such use has not changed – the time and money saved, together with more confidentiality and better use of time spent flying. What has changed is the

perception of the press and the public in relation to the “Jet Set”.

The business jet charter market is certainly recovering; we are seeing a number of these aircraft landing at Gibraltar on a more regular basis. And it is interesting to note that, while new aircraft sales in Europe are still slow, business has been increasing in other parts of the world. In particular, dealers are reporting higher levels of interest in the Middle East, India, China and South America – especially Brazil where a local manufacturer, Embraer, has developed into a world leader.

So as we all look forward to using our own brand new airport terminal later in the year, I hope to see even more of these remarkable aircraft flying into and out of the Rock. Next time you see one, rather

than seeing it simply as a toy for spoiled executives, consider instead that it might just be a serious business asset that is adding to the bottom line in clear and demonstrable ways.

Aircraft landing and taking off at Gibraltar will of course fly over the marinas where super yachts seem to be perpetually moored. Pleasurable these vessels undoubtedly are; practical, sometimes, maybe. But one cannot drift on an executive jet. They are designed to get one from A to B far more efficiently than commercial flights. That is the difference and the reason why I, for one, believe that given the right circumstances they can be ideal business tools. This is also why I am looking forward to welcoming them to Gibraltar in ever greater numbers. And the wealthy people they carry, of course!

The business jet charter market is certainly recovering; we are seeing a number of these aircraft landing at Gibraltar on a more regular basis This article is based on a longer submission first published in the April 2011 edition of The Gibraltar Magazine

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BOATING

Sheppard’s of

Gibraltar The Sheppard’s name has been well known for several years to yachtsmen cruising the Mediterranean. It used to be known as a small and friendly marina with a good chandlery shop. That marina is now part of Ocean Village and still offers the cruising yachtsman all that is needed at a stop-over.

Meanwhile, Sheppard’s chandlery shop marches on, very close to its old location.

This may sound obvious, but all yacht chandlery shops are different. While they all reflect their owner’s take on what equipment a yacht needs to carry, they also vary according to their market and according to their ability to effectively source their stock.

For example, chandlery shops in Spain are largely geared to their local day-boat market and some of them also cater for the maintenance needs of larger motor-cruisers as found in their local marinas. They therefore stock all the normal items such as ropes, fenders, paints, pumps, engine parts and lightweight nautical clothing. The safety equipment is

intended to satisfy the requirements of the relevant Spanish authorities in respect of the various categories of craft and the deck equipment is similarly suited to their day-boat market.

However, the majority of yachts which make up the market in Gibraltar are serious, long distance cruisers.

These boats are much harder on their equipment and have quite different requirements to those of a day-boat or luxury day-cruiser. The yacht chandlery shop at Sheppard’s therefore specialises in the offshore cruisers sector.

The standard stuff is all available, such as ropes, fenders, paints and pumps, but the ropes are now available in several qualities and cater for the variety of types used on a sailing yacht. For example, low-stretch Dyneema for halyards, braided polyester for sheets, special nylon plaits for anchor line. The fenders are similarly available in heavy duty types as well as lightweight versions for berthing in sheltered waters. The antifouling paints range from low cost for day-boats to state of the art International Micron for sailing yachts. The pumps might be simple submersible bilge pumps or water pressure systems serving four outlets at once on a super-yacht. The sailing hardware is all Harken, Lewmar, Wichard and Selden: brands well known to the owners of serious cruising yachts.

The real difference, though, lies in the safety and electronic equipment. At Sheppard’s there are emergency beacons (EPIRB’s) which transmit via satellite the ID and position of a yacht in distress, liferafts for offshore use, instruments

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which identify the vessels shown on your radar screen (AIS), chart displays showing your position (just like your Tom-Tom) but overlaid with a radar image of your surroundings, GPS speedometers for your sailing dinghy (do not use while racing), wind-powered generators, photovoltaic panels, water-makers, foul weather clothing and much equipment which you rarely find in those chandlery shops which cater mainly for day-boats or inshore craft.

The main brand at Sheppard’s is Raymarine.

Their prices for Raymarine instruments and equipment are very competitive (check the Sheppard’s website) and their technician is sent annually to Raymarine for up-dating on new products.

Sheppard’s also operates a repair service for most equipment found on a modern yacht and can replace rigging or install new hardware and systems. They are dealers for Volvo Penta engines with mechanics trained by Volvo Penta UK. Sheppard’s Marina may have disappeared but yachtsmen and all boat-owners can still find full support at the Sheppard’s Chandlery and Workshop.

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Sheppard’s Chandlery, M. Sheppard & Co. Ltd., Waterport, Gibraltar WORKSHOP e-mail: yachtrep@gibraltar.gi Tel: (+350) 200 76895 Fax: (+350) 200 71780 CHANDLERY e-mail: retail@sheppard.gi Tel: (+350) 200 75148 Fax: (+350) 200 42535

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GAMING Seated left to right: Manfred Bodner, former Co-CEO of bwin and now a Non-Executive director of bwin.party, and Norbert Teufelberger, former Co-CEO of bwin and now Co-CEO of bwin.party.

Standing left to right: Jim Ryan, former CEO of PartyGaming and now Co-CEO of bwin.party, and Martin Weigold, former Group Finance Director of PartyGaming and now Chief Financial Officer of bwin.party.

Let the World Play

for Real Gibraltar has become recognised as an international leader and centre for regulatory excellence for one of the Internet’s fastest growing, most exciting and promising industries – online gaming

E

arlier this year, Gibraltar’s status in the world of online gaming was further elevated following the merger of bwin and PartyGaming to form bwin.party digital entertainment plc. The company is a true Internet champion, being the world’s largest stock market-listed online gaming business with millions of customers worldwide.The foresight and determination by the Government to take a lead in what was an embryonic industry in the 1990s combined with the entrepreneurial and pioneering spirit of companies such as bwin.party has resulted in online gaming becoming a significant part of the Gibraltarian economy.

Sarah Drane of Ocean Village Premier Magazine asked Jim Ryan and Norbert Teufelberger, Co-CEOs of bwin.party, to put in their own words what the merger means for them personally, the future for bwin.party and for Gibraltar. Here’s what they said:

“Merging bwin and PartyGaming, two of online gaming’s pioneers, has created a clear market leader with a strong presence in each of the industry’s four main products of sports betting, poker, casino and games that includes bingo.

“The merger is also a defining moment for bwin.party, the whole online gaming industry and for Gibraltar which can be said to be a catalyst for the moves now being made by other countries, especially in Europe, to introduce regulatory regimes. The move by other countries into online gaming signals that the game is changing and that corporate scale and breadth are no longer just an advantage they are a necessity for success.

“Our role as Co-CEOs is to maximise the long-term returns from our significant asset base. There are challenges ahead, but there is also a huge opportunity for us to define bwin.party as the world’s first choice for digital entertainment across all key products and territories around the world.

“To succeed, our strategy must combine our technology, people, brands and customer base to generate profitable and sustainable growth. This will require that we remain loyal to our customer promise and continue to provide the very best digital entertainment within a safe and secure environment, across all of our gaming platforms, products and territories. This will require us to extend our reach in the future by investing in and exploring new technologies, products and platforms that will expand the frontier of digital entertainment even further.

“To ‘let the world play for real’ is our quest. As a leading digital entertainment company we are focused on anticipating market demands and delighting consumers around the world by offering smart, safe and fun real money games – this is how we will derive and drive value for our shareholders and at the same time bring further benefits to Gibraltar.

“There is no straight line or short-cut to success. We spent months formulating dozens of strategic and tactical plans for all of our products and business disciplines ahead of the eventual formation of 2011/12 PREMIER MAGAZINE - OCEAN VILLAGE 29

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bwin.party. These plans went live on 31 March 2011 when the merger completed and marked our starting point for value creation as a new company.

“Our business is relatively light in terms of physical assets when compared with many other industrial sectors, but it is heavily dependent upon intangible assets such as brand strength, proprietary technology and know-how.

What can be achieved by exploiting these assets has already been proven by both bwin and PartyGaming as separate businesses. As bwin.party we intend to go even further by consolidating our leading position by leveraging our assets into new areas to generate incremental revenue streams. “bwin and PartyPoker are just two of our brands that each carry with them an excellent reputation for trust, safety, quality, reliability and innovation. They are intangible in nature, but we view such assets as critical to differentiating us in the eyes, hearts and minds of our consumers - it is this ability to differentiate that drives revenue and profit.

“Our technology, much of which is proprietary in nature, forms the backbone of our business. While it gives us a competitive edge, this will last only if we continue to advance its capabilities to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers. However, technology on its own cannot deliver a great customer experience: it needs to combine with great product, competitive pricing and dedicated customer support.

“Creating the right mix of all of these elements relies upon industry experience and ‘know-how’ – something that is embodied within our employees.

As the largest stock market listed online gaming group in the world we are blessed with a large talent pool with strength across all key areas of

our operations. As we develop a new culture, one that reflects the pedigree of both bwin and PartyGaming, we are set on maintaining the entrepreneurial flair and energy that drove our previous success and recognise that in the rapidly moving digital age we have to continually reinvent ourselves to stay ahead of our competitors.

“Our three-year rolling plan has been structured to allow us to adapt to the inevitable changes to our regulatory and competitive environments.

We plan to identify and invest in new business areas where we can leverage our existing assets and associated infrastructure. “eCommerce sans frontiers requires a commercial and progressive regulatory framework, which is what we have in Gibraltar – in effect, a regulatory model

that enables companies to develop, bring about industrial development and satisfy the desires of the digital consumer for a competitively-priced, easy to use online gaming product.

“In conclusion, bwin.party’s financial strength, products, brands, experience and technology mean that we are in a strong position to address the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. The development of the next generation of mobile devices and tablets means that our industry is already entering an exciting new phase in its development. We are already well ahead of many of our competitors in this exciting new area, an advantage that we intend to maintain.

“Tomorrow’s consumer will want more value for money: we will respect that. They will want reward for loyalty: we will deliver that. They will want to be able to interact with us across a variety of platforms and channels: we will facilitate that; and they are likely to want to interact with others through social media channels built around major brands: we will provide that. The list is of course much longer, but the common denominator is that consumers are more discerning - we are well placed to meet their demands.

“We cannot predict the future exactly, but through continued investment in our technology, brands and people we will ensure we remain at the vanguard of this fast-moving industry, one that is destined to expand so that our vision ‘to let the world play for real’ becomes a reality.

“This is an ambitious goal, it is what drives us and it is the focus of our vision for bwin.party.” www.bwinparty.com

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FINANCE OCEAN VILLAGE

Low Tax for High Flyers JOSE JULIO PISHARELLO BSc (HONS) ACIB FCCA, DIRECTOR BAKER TILLY (GIBRALTAR) LTD

Gibraltar has recently introduced a new tax law which, together with the various Exchange of Information Treaties entered into by the Government, its full integration in the EU and compliance with EU financial services regulation, money laundering and co-operation rules, completes Gibraltar’s transition from tax haven to mainstream European financial services centre. Central to the tax reform is the ending of all distinction between offshore and onshore business.

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he new tax law provides that all companies, however owned, will be taxed on profits earned in or derived from Gibraltar thereby preserving the territorial basis of taxation. In the case of companies licensed and regulated under Gibraltar law, the preponderance of activities which give rise to the profits are deemed to take place in Gibraltar.

The standard rate of Company tax has been reduced from 22% to 10% (effective 1st January 2011), except for utility companies, fuel supply companies and companies seen to be abusing a dominant market position, for which the rate will be 20%.

For international groups, Gibraltar will remain an attractive location for companies. As well as economic stability, strong regulation, and high calibre financial personnel, there will continue to be a competitive tax environment. In addition to the new low rate, since Gibraltar has retained the territorial basis of tax, companies will not be taxed on profits earned outside of Gibraltar. Interest, other than that of a trading nature, and royalties are exempt from tax and there is no tax on capital gains. In addition there is no withholding tax on the payment of dividends to non-resident shareholders of a Gibraltar company.

But Gibraltar is not only attractive to corporate entities. Gibraltar has also become a popular location for high net worth individuals (HNWI’s) principally, but not restricted to, retired individuals with a sound financial

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standing of minimum net assets of ÂŁ2 million and who wish to establish a permanent tax residence in a beautiful and peaceful Mediterranean location.

So what are the conditions for qualifying as a HNWI? These are contained in the Qualifying (Category 2) Individuals Rules 2004.

Firstly, an individual needs to apply to the Finance Centre Director for a Category 2 Individual certificate.

Such a certificate can only be granted to applicants who fulfil the following conditions.

1.

Have available for their exclusive use, and that of their families, approved residential accommodation in Gibraltar;

2.

Have not been resident in Gibraltar for the previous 5 years;

3.

Have not been engaged for the previous 5 years, and will not be engaged in the future whilst a Category 2 Individual, in a trade, business or employment in Gibraltar in competition with local taxpayers; As a general principle, a Category 2 Individual may be a shareholder and/or director of a Gibraltar company, subject to the company trading and doing business outside Gibraltar. The Category 2 Individual may, however, be a shareholder of a company carrying out licensable activities in Gibraltar, companies carrying out business in Gibraltar which are not in competition with other businesses in Gibraltar or companies which, directly or indirectly, invest in properties situated in Gibraltar (although in the case of the latter any rental income would be taxed separately and not be covered by the certificate).

A Category 2 Individual may also provide consultancy services from Gibraltar to companies trading outside Gibraltar where the Individual has a significant shareholding.

In all other cases, any consultancy or employment work must be physically and exclusively carried out outside Gibraltar.

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4.

Must submit two character references from recognised and established professionals (a bank plus a law or accountancy firm), a copy of passport, a curriculum vitae and proof of financial standing.

5. Pay an application fee of £1,000; and 6.

Have received a certificate from the Finance Centre Director confirming their status.

An individual who has obtained a Category 2 Individual certificate is assessable to income tax on the first £80,000 of income only.

Therefore the maximum tax payable in a full year is approximately £30,000. The minimum tax payable is £22,000 (2009/10 - £20,000), though this will be pro-rated if the certificate was obtained partway during the tax year.

In certain circumstances the income of the spouse and children will be deemed to be that of the certificate holder so that no additional tax will be payable on that income.

At Baker Tilly Gibraltar, we are a team of commercially minded people with a commitment to really understand your specific needs. We are in a position to provide a “hand holding” service which will cover the full spectrum of our business depending on our clients’ specific requirements.

We can assist you by advising on the conditions that need to be met, helping with the necessary applications and liaising with the various government departments and official bodies. This personalised service is designed to make this as smooth a process as is possible. We place great store on continuity and the relationship we have with you, our clients, building personal bonds and creating the best solutions for you.

Baker Tilly Gibraltar is the oldest firm of Chartered Accountants in the jurisdiction and can trace its origins in Gibraltar back to the 1920’s. As a leading firm of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, we provide a full range of services locally in the areas of audit and accountancy, international and local taxation, trust and company administration, business recovery and management consultancy.

We place great store on continuity and the relationship we have with you our clients, building personal bonds and creating the best solutions

As an independent member of Baker Tilly International, our mission is to deliver, with integrity and objectivity, superior services to clients through global resources and relationships. www.bakertillygibraltar.gi

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OCEAN VILLAGE

Leaving the business of berths and commerce to one side, Ocean Village’s creators have always given high priority to the equally serious business of having fun.

Ocean Village certainly packs a remarkable punch for Gibraltar.

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ne of the first things to note about Ocean Village is that there is always something going on. From live music to fashion shows, yacht rallies to promenade markets, the Events Team makes it their mission to keep old and young, residents and visitors, entertained all year round. Allow us to simulate a typical Ocean Village year - although be warned, there is no such thing as a ‘typical year’ where this marina is concerned.

Spring heralds the start of settled southern Mediterranean weather and time to make the most of Gibraltar’s most prized asset - its waters. Over recent years Ocean Village has provided the venue for April’s Gibraltar International Boat Show - a gathering of some of the world’s finest yacht manufacturers alongside local marine-focussed industries with a bevy

No two d

of sporting and musical entertainment to amuse the 10,000 or so visitors.

In 2011 the Festival of the Seas cruised into the International Boat Show’s wake.

The event was designed to celebrate Gibraltar’s fine sea-faring traditions and be enjoyed by everyone from little ones to serious yachtsmen hankering after the Ocean Village Cup in the inaugural Yacht Rally. With a Dragon Boat Race providing the carnival spirit, Captain Jack Sparrow encouraging children to wonder at magic tricks and take to the trampolines, the Gibraltar Sports & Leisure Authority throwing their doors open to their incredible sporting facilities, the Classic Vehicle Association putting on a mini rally and a packed programme of live music - the Festival of the Seas was declared a hit with the local community. The Blades

rounded the event off with a flourish with the world’s best aerobatic pilots putting on a breathtaking air show proving that, when it comes to Ocean Village, the sky is indeed the limit.

Coursing into summer, a regular entrant on the Ocean Village calendar is the Gibraltar-Morocco Yacht Rally which takes place in June. Dubbed ‘the world’s most sociable yacht rally’ and now in its 11th year, the event offers a chance for non-racing sailors and motor-boaters to get together on the water and cruise in company. Attracting up to 50 participating yachts, boats come from as far as Barbate to the west, and Marbella and Benalmádena to the east with individual entrants travelling from South Africa, Britain and the Caribbean, just to get in on the fun.

The event starts in Ocean Village where

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Spring heralds the start of settled southern Mediterranean weather and time to make the most of Gibraltar’s most prized asset - its waters

o days the same visiting crews can sample the many bars, restaurants, shops and even the Casino before the yachts leave ‘en masse’ and head out into the Strait of Gibraltar, destination Marina Smir Morocco (where else in the world can you sail from one continent to another in less than a day?)

Here the festivities begin with an exotic Moroccan welcome party followed by a day’s sightseeing and evening prize-giving BBQ where trophies are awarded before cruising back to the Rock slightly jaded the next day.

Ocean Village has been a firm supporter of the last five rallies and recognises its value to the local community.

August moves from cruising in style to cruising in cardboard and the annual Gibraltar Cardboard Boat Race which attracts massive crowds. Fast-becoming the highlight of Ocean Village’s calendar,

brave mariners paddle their way across the 1,000 metre course - some sinking in a soggy paper heap along the way.

Competitors from adults to youngsters, businessmen to combined services, the Race is always a fun-filled affair and if you don’t win, there’s always the ‘Best Titanic Sinking’ trophy to aim for.

An Ocean Village Christmas is never to be missed - a true calendar-closing finale.

Festive-themed market stalls line the boardwalk promenade displaying handmade gifts, local school choirs serenade with carols and, of course, Father Christmas makes an appearance in his winter wonderland grotto bestowing gifts on wellbehaved youngsters. Meanwhile all of Ocean Village’s eateries (and you can eat around the world from Irish fayre at O’Reilly’s to Mexican flavours at the aptly named The

Mexican and from traditionally-baked pizzas at Pizza Express to tasty Chinese at Water Margin) create special Christmas menus to tempt you in from the cold.

The best way to keep up with goings-on at Ocean Village is to ‘like’ the FaceBook page (Ocean Village Gibraltar - The Official Site) or jump onto Twitter and follow @ OceanVillageGib. You never know what might appear on the newsfeed to ignite your interest. We’ve been known to organise alfresco opera, celebrity snooker and football tournaments and even hip-hop extreme skateboard displays - not to mention showing our philanthropic side offering all our support to world record-breaking kayak challenges, cyclathons, Earth Hour and historic circumnavigations in replica Phoenician ships. Certainly no one could ever accuse Ocean Village of being average.

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GIBRALTAR

Gibraltar in 48 hours...

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n immediate talking point is the runway, built during the Second World War and the shortest in the world. As it crosses the main road into the city, visitors remain incredulous as traffic and passengers are halted to allow aircraft to take off and land.

10.30 Beginning your adventuring in the morning, the best way to familiarise yourself with Gibraltar’s diverse heritage, as well as witnessing some of its natural beauty, is to take an official Rock Tour to the upper rock nature reserve. A tour can be taken in a number of ways, by official taxi or tour company, by private car or by foot. Alternatively, you can take the cable car from Grand Parade.

A basic tour lasts around two hours and takes in thousands of years of Rock evolution, including the famous Barbary Ape Den, habitat to Europe’s only free roaming primates and St Michael’s Cave with its stunning stalagmites and stalactites and once home to Neanderthal and Neolithic man.

The Great Siege Tunnels form part of the honeycombed inside of the limestone Rock, and illustrate the defence of Gibraltar during the Great Siege of 1789, when the forerunners to the Royal Engineers scraped out tunnel systems to position guns to fight off the enemy. Other highlights include a stop at Europa Point, the southernmost tip of Europe with its breathtaking views across the Strait to North Africa.

However you arrive into Gibraltar, by air, foot, car or sea, you will very soon experience its intricate layers of history all around you.

to eat at one of the many cafes, bars and restaurants along the quayside. Enjoy your meal overlooking the many luxury apartments and large yachts that are moored there, while taking a break before the afternoon’s activities.

Alternatively, take a stroll around the extensive range of shops for clothes and gifts or pamper yourself with a beauty treatment.

15.00 It is a little known fact that in addition to prizewinning fishing, the Bay of Gibraltar is home to several species of dolphin. Visitors are able to go out into the Bay in one of the many dolphin safari boats to watch pods of dolphin at play. The tour takes approximately 2 hours.

Arriving back on shore, there’s time for some afternoon refreshment, before heading back to your hotel for a rest before dinner.

20.00 Casemates Square at the end of Main Street was once the centre of public executions. Today it is the thriving hub of Gibraltar’s nightlife, filled with numerous lively bars and cafes that stay open into the early hours. There is a wide selection of places to eat to suit all palates.

Alternatively, if you fancy more glamour and sophistication, you could head back to Ocean Village for dinner

DAY ONE

where you’ll find the marina transformed under a hue of meticulously placed blue lighting. Many of the trendy bars and restaurants offer live music and entertainment. There’s also the Gala Casino if you feel like a flutter at the tables and you can take in the breathtaking evening views across the Bay of Gibraltar over a late night cocktail.

12.30 Feeling peckish now, head towards Gibraltar’s stylish new marina Ocean Village and choose

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10.30 After a refreshing night’s rest and a hearty breakfast, it’s back to Main Street for some city touring. Gibraltar’s town centre is largely protected by the Gibraltar Heritage Trust and part of a continual restoration programme. Its original city walls and fortifications date back to the 1800’s including Casemates Gates, Charles V Wall and Kings Bastion.

Take a walking tour around the town area and you will be introduced to some of Gibraltar’s unique architecture reflecting its blend of Genoese, Portuguese, Spanish, Moorish and British Regency style buildings.

The Catholic Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned in the centre of Main Street and part of the walking tour, was built on the original site of the chief mosque but was demolished during the Great Siege. It was later rebuilt as a Cathedral.

Some of the early structures can still be seen.

Gibraltar’s museum situated on the original site of a Moorish bath house is a short walk from Main Street.

DAY TWO

13.00 After a morning of walking around the city, head towards Irish Town, a sub-district of Main Street and named over two hundred years ago when Gibraltar was split into differing quarters. Enjoy

lunch with a historical flavour, at The House of Sacarello’s, Gibraltar’s oldest coffee house restaurant.

Founded in 1888 by Bartholomew Sacarello, a Genoese immigrant and grandfather of the current owners, Sacarello’s roasts its own coffee beans and supplies most of Gibraltar’s cafés and hotels with its delicious blended coffees. A wide variety of snacks, sandwiches, salads and fresh homemade cakes are on offer in the cosy coffee shop.

14.30 Main Street is recognised today as Gibraltar’s main commercial and shopping district. After a morning of skirting around its intricate lanes and streets you may now be tempted to stop and look at some of the VAT free bargains to be had. Gibraltar offers exceptional value added shopping. Popular purchases include, cosmetics, perfumery, tobacco, spirits, electronic goods and jewellery. It’s the perfect weekend shoppers destination with everything in close proximity.

there’s one more stroll worth taking, up towards the Rock Hotel. If you’re too tired or laden down with shopping bags jump into a taxi. Passing the Trafalgar Cemetery the taxi ride will take 5 minutes or at a slow walk 20 minutes. The Rock Hotel built in 1932 by the Marquis of Bute is the epitome of colonial Britain. Its Wisteria Terrace with its views across the Bay, is the perfect spot to take a full English tea with cucumber sandwiches, scones and teacakes. As you look out across the Bay you may catch a glimpse of the Alameda Gardens, Gibraltar’s Botanical Gardens designed in 1815 and linked to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.

20.00 Dinner this evening is on the east side of the Rock at Catalan Bay, evolved from a Genoese fishing village whose original inhabitants famously had red hair. La Marmela is an unassuming specialist fish restaurant with superb fish and a vibrant atmosphere you would expect from a favourite local haunt.

Just further along Catalan Bay is the Caleta Hotel whose in-house Italian restaurant offers musical entertainment at certain times of the year and a welcoming lobby bar for your last nightcap in Gibraltar.

As you retire for your last night, you’ll be wishing you had one day more, there’s still much to explore.

We hope you come back and visit us again soon.

16.00 Once you’ve walked your feet off in Main Street,

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OCEAN VILLAGE

At the

BY JON CLARKE, THE OLIVE PRESS

The wealth of good places to eat in Gibraltar’s Ocean Village marina - which has just launched a new discount scheme.

Water’s Edge

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ven the most dedicated boat fanatic needs some time out to shop, drink and dine and at Ocean Village in Gibraltar you are certainly spoilt for choice. The marina complex on the sheltered west side of the Rock has become the preferred destination for a well-heeled clientele looking for fine dining, shopping, gaming and of course five-star berthing.

Fashion stores such as Esprit, Signature and Aftershock cloak the boardwalk promenade rubbing shoulders with businesses like Chesterton estate agent. A mini supermarket Ocean Village Express is where you pick up a range of wines and spirits, your daily newspaper and, a copy of the Olive Press. Take a stroll around the village at lunchtime or in the early evening though, and the place is clearly abuzz with people looking for the best place to eat. They can now choose

from up to 20 restaurants, including big brand names like Pizza Express and KFC to classic pub grub at O’Reilly’s. And exotic tastes are certainly catered for in Laziz Fine Indian cuisine, while you cannot go wrong with the menu at Harley’s, Petit Café, Savannah Lounge and the Celebrity Wine Bar. Most exciting of all has to be the increasingly popular Brazilian-style international food at Ipanema, run by amiable owner Danny Breeze, 34, from Kent. A great place to order a classic Caipirinha cocktail, it is also extremely popular for its Brazilian style of serving meat via the ‘pasador’. A fun way to be served, the pasadors come around to your table with swords laden with tasty dishes.

“We get packed at weekends and evenings and best of all around 90 per cent of our business is local,” explains Danny, who is a livewire, full of ideas. “We get a lot of

weddings and somehow manage to pack in around 180 people in here... There is certainly no shortage of atmosphere.”

Leisure Island, which divides Ocean Village from neighbouring Marina Bay, is the location for the first Gala Coral facility to house a casino and bingo club. Within months of opening, the establishment had already exceeded its five-year business plan in terms of attendance, income and profit. In line with its promise to further improve the complex, Gala has increased its investment in the site by another £750,000. The investment includes a new Coral Lounge with tax free betting in May, as well as a new dedicated Poker Zone and a new Slot Zone. There is also a new Island Bar where you can relax in the sun and enjoy your favourite drink. And best of all in the restaurant there is a special two for one deal for anyone looking for a bargain lunch or supper.

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The marina complex on the sheltered west side of the Rock has become the preferred destination

Meanwhile next door Marina Bay has plenty more taverns and eateries for a refreshing pit-stop, including the ever-busy Charlies. As a recent innovation the merchants and restaurants in the marina have launched a special “Premier Card” discount scheme to entice more custom in. Customers can get up to 12 per cent off their lunch or a voucher for £10 if they spent over £25 in some shops and restaurants. “We want to get more people in to eat and shop,” explains Ocean Village Business Development Manager Ros Astengo. “There are around 16 restaurants in the scheme and we expect them to get a nice amount of extra custom.” Coupons can be picked up at all the entry points and at the airport.

Ocean Village was conceived to compete with established marinas around the Mediterranean coastline and, after significant investment, is now legitimately giving the likes of Monaco a run for their money. Previously known as just a stop-off for cheap marine fuel, whilst still very much the case, Ocean Village is now also a fully fledged destination for residents, visitors and the megayacht fraternity alike to relax, shop, socialize and generally indulge in the coveted Mediterranean lifestyle.

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WEDDINGS

Gibraltar Becomes

hot wedding destination in Tough Economic Climate

Planning your own wedding abroad can be a costly and time-consuming labour of love. However, if you can guarantee sunshine, a holiday atmosphere and the sweet smell of the Mediterranean it’s money well spent for what should be the best day of your life. Super friendly Gibraltar ticks every bridal box and it’s not as expensive as you may think.

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g

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J

eanette Obytz of MedWeddings has been helping love struck couples get married on the Rock for over a decade now and believes Gibraltar makes perfect sense as a wedding destination.

“Blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate, Gibraltar has all the advantages of neighbouring sunny southern Spain but with all the conveniences of Blighty. Spend British pounds with no exchange rate concerns, communicate in familiar English and, if you’re non-Spanish resident and non-Catholic, you can get married legally which is something you simply cannot do in Spain.”

From small intimate civil ceremonies for a bride and groom flying solo through to lavish multi-location celebrations where a legal ceremony in Gibraltar is followed by an extravagant blessing and party in one of Spain’s exclusive haciendas or castles, MedWeddings has the Rock’s wedding market sewn up. That isn’t to say that Jeanette hasn’t seen some distinct changes over the past ten years and had to adapt accordingly.

Jeanette continues, “I used to be at the Registry Office pretty much every day but as the euro-pound exchange rate became less forgiving and the recession bit deeper, the number of ceremonies diminished with some

couples being forced to cancel altogether. A second trend has been a huge rise in the number of internet savvy clients who are surfing the web trying to piece together their own wedding day using a range of suppliers.

They enjoy being hands-on and hunting out a bargain, but this method often isn’t as simple as it appears – especially when faced with the Mediterranean mañana mañana attitude.

Using a planner absolutely makes sense and it doesn’t have to be pricey.”

It’s little wonder that making preparations for the ‘big’ day can take months and a vast amount of stress. There are so many things to

think of: How will my guests find the venue?

Where will they stay? How do we get the paperwork right? Do I need passport stamps?

Will the flowers wilt in the sun? How can I source pink napkins? Whilst it may be fun to be proactive in the process, the system can often be against them and there is no substitute for local experience and local contacts. The MedWeddings Express Wedding Shop bridges a nice gap between self-organising and drafting in the wedding planners.

Jeanette explains, “The internet is of course a modern miracle but it’s not perfect. Some suppliers go out of business without a trace

“Using a planner absolutely makes sense and it doesn’t have to be pricey”

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30 Ocean Village Promenade, Ocean Village 27 City Mill Lane Gibraltar Tel: 00350 200 63211 Email: atnice@@gibtelecom.net Website: www.allthingsnicegibraltar.com

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Gibraltar continues to present a very strong case to be the wedding destination of choice

whilst others take an age to respond. It’s not just as simple as firing off an email to the registry office, the hotel and being done with it – many parts in the chain can collapse. What the MedWeddings Express Wedding Shop does is gather together all the services and regular suppliers I have at my disposal and form a one stop online wedding shop. Visitors can choose and book their entire wedding from venue to make-up artist, photographer to chair covers, add it to a shopping basket and pay online. We pass on the favourable rates we’ve negotiated over the years giving the added bonus it’s cheaper than going direct. The feedback has been incredible.”

Meanwhile Gibraltar continues to present a very strong case to be the wedding destination of choice. It offers a wonderful juxtaposition of a Moorish castle and a Marks & Spencer, swaying palm trees and red telephone boxes, wild Barbary apes and friendly British bobbies.

Rich maritime and military history sits

alongside state of the art marina resorts such as Ocean Village with its modern casino.

Gibraltar also has representation from all the main Churches and the legalities of a marriage are relatively straightforward. Couples can say “I do” amongst the blooms of the Botanical Gardens or at one of the Rock’s chic hotels with stunning views of Africa across the Strait. Nip over the border for a honeymoon on the beaches of Spain or cross the Strait and soak up the sights and souks of Morocco.

The options are endless – and surprisingly affordable. John and Yoko chose Gibraltar for their wedding and Sean Connery held his nuptials here not once, but twice - will you be next?

For more information on getting married in Gibraltar visit www.medweddings.com, the new www.medweddingsexpress.com, email info@medweddings.com or call 00 34 679 851 204.

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TRAVEL

Florence,

Italy a never ending beauty...

Rarely is Florence ever mentioned without approval and enthusiastic hearty replies of “It’s such a beautiful place!” or “the shopping is to die for!” These two answers do not define Florence in its entirety however.

There is much to be said for its rich history and its beautiful artwork.

Not to mention the artistic delights that await one in the world-famous Uffizi Gallery with its rooms full of Botticellis, Veroneses, Mantegnas and Rubens to name but a few.

If you fancy some of Florence’s local produce, make your way over to the San Lorenzo Market. Although closed on Sunday and Monday, it is open from 9am until 7pm for the rest of the week offering delicious cheeses, home-made pesto and sauces, colourful pastas, locally-grown tomatoes, nuts and typical pastries in the covered area. There are market stalls selling local wares, (leather goods, bags, shoes, clothes, hand-made jewellery, hair-accessories and souvenirs), and you can and will most definitely hear the cries of sellers haggling over prices, trying to out-do one another.

It’s all done in good fun and there is always a warm and welcoming atmosphere here with the San Lorenzo Cathedral providing a beautiful backdrop to a busy environment. In the centre of town, there is another market, Il Mercato del Porcellino. Here they sell similar wares but the market is much smaller in scale and under the cover of an old piazza which makes shopping in the rain a much more pleasurable experience, leaving one to weave in and out of the stalls. Perhaps you will also encounter the namesake of the market itself: a statue of a boar made from bronze! It’s said that if you rub its nose and throw a coin at its feet, it will bring you good fortune for the rest of your life. Tourist attraction or reality? There’s only one way to find out...

Florence is a thriving city; top

F

lorence was at the helm of an artistic revolution: the Renaissance. It was a period of new developments and scientific advancement. As a cultural movement, it encompassed a revival of learning based on classical sources, the development of linear perspective in painting and gradual but widespread educational reform.

It gave birth to famous artists and architects such as Leonardo da Vinci and Fillipo Brunelleschi, who was responsible for making the blue prints for the Dome sitting atop the Cathedral Santa Maria Del Fiore.

Not only does its art comprise of the main attractions such as the world-famous Duomo and Michelangelo’s David, but paintings and statues can be found in niches and scribed on street walls.

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designers have shops on the famous ‘Via Tornabuoni’. Not only will you find Armani, Roberto Cavalli and Gucci, but Versace and Prada too. This street is easy to find, (just off of Piazza della Repubblica). All the windows are decorated tastefully and a few select pieces are on show, designed to attract the public and accommodate Florence’s typical chic but smart style. No woman is seen without a pair of heels on and large sunglasses, no matter what time of the day or night. In turn, no man is seen without a designer pair of brogues, cashmere sweaters and the same designer statement sunglasses. Florence is an extremely fashion conscious place, although there is another diverse style already emerging; that of the ‘punk rocker’.

However, this is generally a mark of the younger generation and has perhaps been the inspiration of the rise in the number of English shops such as Accessorize and Oasis as well as the Spanish shop Zara. The wonderful thing about the location of every shopper’s dream street is that it leads one to the Lung’Arno river. The river stretches for miles and of course unites one side of Florence to the other by means of the worldrenowned Ponte Vecchio.

This is where Florence’s oldest jewellers are and their ornate shops still stand, their windows decorated with delicate pieces

made from gold, silver and diamonds.

Amidst the shops, there is a bust dedicated to Benvenuto Cellini who was a very wellrespected goldsmith. There is a little gate around the statue onto which couples attach padlocks, symbolizing the hope of an eternal love. There are also two lookout points where you can relax in the sunshine, take photos or look over the river and watch the local rowers practising everyday.

In the opposite direction, away from the Ponte Vecchio, you will encounter lots of little side-street shops; nestled amongst these is one of Florence’s most legendary and smartest bars, Capocaccia. It is all about being chic and sophisticated, playing soft jazz music that gently tempts you in and is indeed the perfect location to sit and enjoy a glass of cool white wine in the gentle evening breeze.

However, if something more relaxed is your scene, there is a place called The Astor Café situated just beside the Duomo

Cathedral. Filled with chrome and abstract paintings, and being more modern, you are greeted at the door and taken to a table or the bar itself where you can perch on one of the high stools and chat to the friendly staff.

A skylight makes this the perfect place to come in the early evening and partake of the traditional aperitivo, a time when one can buy a drink and eat for free. Dishes include delicious pastas, traditional rice dishes, bread, cheese and olives. Later on at night, the bottom floor opens up so you can hit the dance floor and work away the day’s stresses!

There is a scene for everyone - so if you’re craving beer, rock music and some traditional pub-grub, head over to any number of Florence’s Irish and Scottish-style bars where you will find hamburgers, BLT’s and beers on tap, which are waiting for you...

There is no beach in Florence itself; given its location, it’s rather more inland.

However, you can easily hop on a train at the Santa Maria Novella station (they run very regularly) and take it to nearby Livorno. Here there is a beach that goes by the name of La Spiaggia Bianca; such is the pure white colour of its sand and the depth and clarity of the surrounding sea.

You can get away from the hustle and bustle of Florence’s tourist culture and relax for the day, enjoying the local cuisine at any one of the little beach side restaurants.

Arguably the most famous place in Italy as a whole

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TRAVEL

St. Martin luxury comes in small surprises...

A mixture of French, Danish and Caribbean influences, St.Martin boasts palm-studded white sandy beaches and exotic cuisines.

But before you’re mesmerised by the island’s beauty and miss out on the must-do’s, born and bred Kartik Amarnaney provides the latest guide to your tropical discovery.

S

t.Martin nicknamed the friendly island by the locals, has been shared by the French and the Dutch (St.Maarten) in mutual friendly spirit for almost 350 years. This tropical location offers variety of culture inspired by the Dutch, French and the Caribbean which is reflected in the language, the people, the food and the architecture.

Ideally situated North of Aruba and South of the British West Indies, the location is tropical and the sun shines every day of the year. In this island, you dictate and decide how to spend your ideal vacation; immerse yourself in local culture or splurge on the luxurious side of life, keep it fast paced, or let it be a relaxing day on the beach.

SHOPPING A stroll along bustling Front Street in downtown Philipsburg is a must, where you can purchase favourite brands. Don’t forget to try some of the local rums that the island is famous for, traditional guavaberry, coconut, passion fruit and every other variety of tropical fruit available. Even the imported spirits and tobacco are cheap as chips.

The local handicraft markets behind the courthouse in midtown Frontstreet or at the boardwalk near Speetjens Alley in downtown Frontstreet offer the best selection of traditional arts and crafts from the island. Some of the paintings that are at these markets could almost

be considered masterpieces for their palettes of colour, craftsmanship and very realistic portrayal of Caribbean life.

FANCY A TRANQUIL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE? Then opt for the French side’s capital of Marigot, where you can purchase luxurious French fashion - and a café at every corner really lets you enjoy the atmosphere and uniqueness of this island, Café Keops at West Indies Mall is ideal for a break. At about 1pm, step in to the Marigot Marina for a selection of restaurants that will offer you a very relaxed lunch and keep you busy till the shops re-open at around 3pm.

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BEACHES There aren’t any private beaches allowed, so head to any spot of sand you desire. Head down to the popular Orient Bay, half of which is a nudeoptional and there are a variety of restaurants and beach vendors to choose from. Fancy hanging out at another island? Take a 5 minute boat ride to Pinel Island and hang out in the mildly chilly Atlantic ocean, or walk about 200 meters to the other side of this little island and hang out in the calm warm Caribbean sea, or just lounge at one of the two restaurants. If this isn’t enough to calm your senses, then hang out at Maho Beach and watch planes land while you sunbathe. The jumbo jets literally fly about 10-15 meters above you before they touch down on the runway.

Mullet Bay, Simpson Bay, Grand Case, Le Gallion, Guana Bay & Belair beaches are some of the best kept secrets of the island as they don’t attract the large swarm of tourists the other beaches do.

FOOD Stop off at any of the local barbeque stalls that are literally at every corner. If you’re lucky, you may even run into celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain; a frequent visitor and fan of the local restaurants. Make sure to ask for the local speciality: Johnny Cakes. The Cuisine Capital of the Caribbean or Grand Case as it is known locally is an area dotted with very fine dining establishments and some of the best French and seafood cuisine to offer. The favorite restaurants of this locale are Fish Pot, Blue Martini and Auberge Gourmande.

Another upcoming area is Simpson Bay where you can dine in open air restaurants that overlook the lagoon. The winter months are usually packed with the largest of mega yachts

immerse yourself in local culture or splurge on the luxurious side of life, keep it fast paced, or let it be a relaxing day on the beach.

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The jumbo jets literally fly about 10-15 meters above you before they touch down on the runway

such as Les Wexner owner of 316 ft Mega Yacht Limitless or Roman Abramovich’s 282ft Ecstasea. Pineapple Pete’s restaurant is famous for its variety of Caribbean inspired cuisine and La Sucrere bakery for their desserts and pastries; they’re both widely considered the best choices in the area. The restaurants and bars on the boardwalk parallel to Great Bay beach and the shopping on Front Street are definitely not to be missed out on. Opt for Taloula Mangoes for its local creole choices, The Passagrahn for its seafood and Oualichie for their French cuisine and pizzas.

NIGHTLIFE If you are one to stay up all night, you’ve definitely got a lot to keep you busy in St.Maarten. Most of the bars and night clubs are open air, on the beach or on a boat. Try out the very posh Bliss Nightclub which is popular with celebrities, or hang out at Soggy Dollar or Lady C Floating, which is a yacht converted into a bar.

Feeling lucky? There are over a dozen casinos to choose from and all the usual suspects from Slots, Blackjack, Craps and Roulette are offered plus all those crazy colorful themed table games. It isn’t Vegas but most of these casinos are extremely gracious with their hospitality: favourites are Atlantis, Pelican and Dolphin.

TOURIST AREA Apart from the fantastic beaches and the great shopping, you can play at the Joseph Lee designed 18 hole Mullet Bay Golf Course, which is beautifully situated on lush tropical green with the Caribbean Sea on one side and a lagoon on the other.

If you want a bit of a workout, then partake in one of the many bike tours offered by Tri Sport (www.trisportsxm.com) that take you through the various mountains, or motivate yourself and go for a hike up one of the hills. Pic Paradis, the highest point on the island, offers the best views of St.Martin and all of the surrounding islands. Spend the morning as part of a professional crew on America’s Cup sailing yacht, or go deep sea fishing. Swim with the fish on an organised scuba and snorkeling tour. One for the ladies is the luxurious Christian Dior Spa at The Cliff.

To continue with the Zen effect, head down to the Butterfly Farm for a colourful stroll. St.Martin’s museum at Speetjens Alley is situated in Frontstreet amidst the local market and houses artifacts dating back to the Arawak tribes, before any of the European settlers discovered the island.

Roland Richardson, the father of Caribbean Impressionism delights you with his paintings of traditional Caribbean life at his gallery in Marigot.

HISTORY Soualiga, or Land of Salt as it was known by the native Arawaks, was discovered by Columbus in 1493 when he named it San Martin. The beautiful island was then occupied many times over by the British, French, Dutch and the Spanish until a truce was reached in 1648 and the island was shared by the Dutch and French. The ‘Treaty of Concardia’ still stands and this makes it the smallest island to be shared by 2 countries.

Fort Amsterdam was built in 1631 by the Dutch military but was conquered soon after by the Spanish until 1648 when it was reverted back to the Dutch and remained active till the early 19th. The historical fort still stands, offering fantastic views of Philipsburg. The fort at the Marigot Harbour perched on a hill is still in excellent repair. Look out for the antique cannons left behind by the military of the time. The fort offers impressive views of the French side - there are information boards and plaques at every corner allowing you to enjoy a self guided tour.

Being so uniquely situated in the Caribbean, you can island hop to different places and spend a day or just go for lunch.

There are several scheduled commuter flights that will take you to the surrounding islands of St.Barths, Saba, Anguilla, St.Kitts or St.Eustatius, all of which are a 10-15 minute flight away. Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is St.Martin’s largest airport with daily connections to Amsterdam, Paris, and a dozen major US destinations.

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GOURMET

Thai cuisine WORDS BY SARAH WILDE

Thai cuisine places emphasis on lightly prepared dishes with strong aromatic ingredients. Balance, detail and variety are important to Thai cooking. Thai cuisine is known for its balance of the five fundamental taste senses in each dish or the overall meal: hot, sour, sweet, salty, and bitter.

INFLUENCES Although popularly considered a single cuisine, Thai food would be more accurately described as four regional cuisines corresponding to the four main regions of the country: Northern, Northeastern (or Isan), Central, and Southern, each cuisine sharing similar foods or foods derived from those of neighboring countries and regions: Burma, the Chinese province of Yunnan and Laos to the north, Cambodia to the east and Malaysia to the south of Thailand. In addition to these four regional cuisines, there is also the Thai Royal Cuisine which can trace its history back to the palace cuisine of the Ayutthaya kingdom (13511767 CE). Its refinement, cooking techniques and its use of ingredients were of great influence to the cuisine of the Central Thai plains.

The culinary traditions and cuisines of Thailand’s neighbors have influenced Thai cuisine over many centuries. Regional variations tend to correlate to neighboring states as well as climate and geography. Southern curries tend to contain coconut milk and fresh turmeric, while northeastern dishes often include lime juice. The cuisine of Northeastern (or Isan) Thailand is heavily influenced by Lao cuisine.

Many popular dishes eaten in Thailand were originally Chinese dishes which were introduced to Thailand mainly by the Teochew people who make up the majority of the Thai Chinese. Such dishes include chok (rice porridge), kuai-tiao rat na (fried rice-noodles) and khao kha mu (stewed pork with rice). The Chinese also introduced the use of a wok for cooking, the technique of deep-frying and stir-frying dishes, and noodles and soy products.

INGREDIENTS Thailand has about the same surface area as Spain and a length of approximately 1650 kilometers or 1025 miles (Italy, in comparison, is about 1250 kilometers or 775 miles long), with foothills of the Himalayas in the north, a high plateau in the northeast, a verdant river basin in the centre and tropical rainforests and islands in the south. And with over 40 distinct ethnic groups with each their own culture and even more languages, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Thai cuisine, as a whole, is extremely varied and features many different ingredients and ways of preparing food. Thai food is known for its enthusiastic use of fresh (rather than dried) herbs and spices. Common herbs include

cilantro, lemon grass, Thai basils and mint.

Some other common flavors in Thai food come from ginger, galangal, tamarind, turmeric, garlic, soy beans, shallots, white and black peppercorn, kaffir lime and, of course, chilies.

PASTES AND SAUCES The ingredient found in almost all Thai dishes and every region of the country is nam pla, a very aromatic and strong tasting fish sauce. Fish sauce is a staple ingredient in Thai cuisine and imparts a unique character to Thai food. Fish sauce is prepared with fermented fish that is made into a fragrant condiment and provides a salty flavor. There are many varieties of fish sauce and many variations in the way it is prepared. Some fish may be fermented with shrimp and/or spices.

RICE AND NOODLES Rice is a staple grain of Thai cuisine, as in most Asian cuisines. The highly prized, sweetsmelling jasmine rice is indigenous to Thailand.

This naturally aromatic long-grained rice grows in abundance in the verdant patchwork of paddy fields that blanket Thailand’s central plains.

Steamed rice is accompanied by highly aromatic curries, stir-fries and other dishes, sometimes incorporating large quantities of chili peppers, lime juice and lemon grass. Curries, stir-fries and others may be poured onto the rice creating a single dish called khao rat kaeng, a popular meal when time is limited. Sticky rice (khao

niao) is a unique variety of rice that contains an unusual balance of the starches present in all rice, causing it to cook up to a sticky texture.

Sticky rice, not jasmine rice, is the staple food in the local cuisines of Northern Thailand and of Isan (Northeastern Thailand), both regions of Thailand directly adjacent to Laos with which they share this, and many other cultural traits.

Noodles are popular as well but usually come as a single dish, like the stir-fried phat thai or in the form of a noodle soup. Many Chinese dishes have been adapted to suit Thai taste, such as kuai-tiao ruea (a sour and spicy rice noodle soup). In Northern Thailand, khao soi, a curry soup with bami (egg noodles), is extremely popular in Chiang Mai. Noodles are usually made from either rice flour, wheat flour or mung bean flour and include six main types. Rice noodles are called kuai tiao in Thailand and comes in three varieties: sen yai are wide flat noodles, sen lek are thin flat rice noodles, and sen mi (also known as rice vermicelli in the West) is round and thin. Bami is made from egg and wheat flour and usually sold fresh. It is similar to the Chinese mee pok and la mian. Wun sen are extremely thin noodles made from mung bean flour which are sold dried. They are called cellophane noodles in English. Khanom chin is fresh Thai rice vermicelli made from fermented rice, well-known from dishes such as khanom chin kaeng khiao wan kai (rice noodles with green chicken curry).

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GOURMET

Health beneďŹ ts of

olive oil Highly favored as a cooking oil, or for use in a variety of classic dressings, olive oil is being touted in some quarters as a delicious companion to good health.

Research on the health benefits of olive oil is impressive, as are the effects of the Mediterranean diet.

OLIVE OIL AND LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE By substituting virgin olive oil for other fats within your diet, the Archives of Internal Medicine indicates a substantial reduction in drug dosage requirements for the management of high blood pressure.

Initial findings indicate dosage reductions could be as high as 50%.

The health benefits of olive oil in the Mediterranean diet have become more than a novel observation. Clinical research is substantiating healthy benefits, but the gourmet tastes and flavors are bonuses well worth mentioning too.

development of colon cancer, fish and olive oil seemed to reduce the incidence of colon cancer. The reasons behind this phenomena are still being considered, but it is believed that the olive oil may help regulate the bile acid in the stomach while increasing useful enzymes within the stomach that contribute to optimal colon health.

ADDITIONAL FINDINGS By lowering the level of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) there is an increase of the HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).

OLIVE OIL AS A CHOLESTEROL REDUCER Compared to a typical British cuisine, and especially the snack and fast foods prevalent in the US, the Mediterranean Diet has intrigued the medical world. The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has published findings that indicate the introduction of olive oil into our regular diet has demonstrated a reduction in LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). This is significant because once LDL cholesterol has oxidized it often results in artery rigidity and accompanying heart disease.

OLIVE OIL IN CANCER PREVENTION In a comparison study at the University Hospital Germans Trias Pujol in Barcelona there seems to be an indication that the health benefits of olive oil may also be useful in the prevention or slowing of cancer cells. In the study, lab rats were introduced to a carcinogen that resulted in cancerous tumors. The study provides evidence that a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil prevents colonic carcinogenesis reducing precancerous tissue which resulted in fewer tumors when compared to a controlled sample of rats ingesting foods containing other types of cooking oils. Researchers at Oxford University have seen indications that olive oil may actually be as good for our digestive system as fresh fruit and vegetables in preventing or reducing the incidence of colon cancer.

While red meat seems to be linked to the

The antioxidant effects of olive oil have also been widely reported and are effective in reducing free radicals within the body that may prove to be a causal agent in pre cancerous and cancerous growth.

Additional health benefits of olive oil may be found in a Mediterranean diet which explores the varied uses of olive oil in both food preparation as well as additional balanced meal choices. Combined, olive oil and appropriate food choice seem to enhance the overall health of those subscribing to the Mediterranean diet.

It is encouraging to note that something that has long been noted for good taste may also be a link to positive health benefits and longevity.

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