SLT8Doha(March10)

sur la terre foreword

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» foreword

Sur La Terre – Doha

Regional Managing Editor: James McCarthy Senior Editor: Steve Paugh

Deputy Editor: Mina Kavcar

Regional PR, Sales & Marketing Director: Julia Toon Creative Director: Roula Zinati Ayoub

Art and Design: Rena Chehayber, Lara Nakhleh, Michael Logaring, Rana Cheikha, Charbel Najem

Editorial Contributors: Hollie Parker, Désirée Mitterrand, Vanja Mégevand, Liz Christenses Distribution and Subscription: Michael Javier, Tobias Toon Printed by: Raidy Printing Press

Published by: Firefly Communications

P.O. Box 11596, Doha - Qatar, Tel: +974 4340360, Fax: +974 4340359

>>> As I write this, a tempest swirls with electrifying malevolence outside the Sur la Terre offices. As thunder rumbles overhead and rain sheets down the window, this dramatic change in weather suggests that Spring is once more upon us. Yes, Doha denizens, that means that before long, the mercury will start rising and your thoughts will turn to summer travel. So, in order to help you plan your summer sojourns, we have compiled this issue to illustrate the luxurious world that lay beyond our sandy shores. Let us be your guides to where is haute and where is not, as we take you on the odysseys of opulence that will carry you through 2010.

In our showcase, we introduce you to the ultimate in bespoke luxury travel. Take the path less travelled with Artisans of Leisure, who will whisk you away on a tour of temptation, providing you with an itinerary of indulgence across a myriad of spectacular destinations. Whatever your travelling pleasure, Artisans of Leisure will supply the sabbatical of your dreams. If you’re looking for inspiration, flip to Going Global, and go trippin’ with Deputy Editor, Mina Kavcar, as she checks out some of the hottest destinations of 2010, or take a trip to the Orient with me, as I embark on a Singapore Fling in our Gourmet Travel feature.

But wait, before you travel, don’t forget to pack your toothbrush. What better to way to carry it than in a full set of classic Louis Vuitton luggage chests? Editor, Steve Paugh plots out the potted history of the famous marque in Brand History, giving you an insight into the very humble beginnings of one of the world’s leaders in luxury living.

Perhaps, though, you want to travel light. Lighter than air? If so, check out our very Unique Rides, which will launch your head into the clouds as we unveil personal travel for the future. The Icon A5 will cut out the lines at passport control and eliminate the wait for your Louis Vuitton to roll off the carousel.

If travel just isn’t in your diary for 2010, don’t worry! Five star lifestyle can still be found right on your doorstep. Fine dining? We have it. Lobster at Bice? Why not. Exclusive interview with hot tempered celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay? You bet. It is all here in your Spring 2010 Sur la Terre.

So, get your boarding pass ready and prepare to travel the world in 128 pages. Bon Voyage!

James McCarthy Regional Managing Editor

Sur La Terre is published quarterly. © 2010 Firefly Communications. All material strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of Firefly Communications, is strictly forbidden.

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sur la terre content

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content 04 in town

Fresh and new, the latest exciting luxury products, launches and accesories to hit the city

12 exclusive spotlight

James McCarthy grills hot-headed celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay

16 going global

Mina Kavcar takes you trippin’ to the best destinations of 2010

22 showcase

The Artisans of Leisure help us discover the joys of bespoke travel

29 artopia

Steve Paugh takes you into the wonderful world of pearls

34 spotlight

Sur la Terre meets one of the true kings of bling, Nicola Bulgari

38 gourmet travel

Join SLT as we take an Oriental journey and enjoy a Singapore Fling

46 brand history

The milieu behind the monogram and the luggage of Louis Vuitton

50 unique rides

Hit the skies in the Icon A5, go revvin’ with Devon & gaze at the Galibier

sur la terre content

57 star-crossed

Ranch Dressing: SLT takes a walk on the wild side in the latest lines

65 objects

Gadgets you will go ga ga over

68 good tastes

Steve Paugh and Mina Kavcar take a bite out of BICE

72 beauty

Splash into a world of pampering with poolside beauty

76 fashion

What’s haute on the international fashion scene

83 design

Patio chic for those springtime sojourns in the back yard

88 haute property

These yachts have the lot; they are the world’s most expensive

92 lifestyle

Sail away on oceans of opulence aboard the best boats you can buy

98 out of the box

Think a bit differently with these cool products, places and activities

104 accessories

The latest accessories and trends

109 in vogue

Your guide to the latest trends in fashion and shopping available locally

115 society

Evenings out, parties, openings and happenings around town

123 entertainment

The best in chapters, tunes, flicks, clicks and joysticks

128 snapshot

A photograph to inspire and admire

I the agenda

Cultural events around the region

V directory

Your local and regional guide

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sur la terre in town

Like what you see in our In Town section? To find details about where to find these great products and who to contact about them, flip to our Directory section at the end of this issue!

New AMG ShowVROOM!

With AMG models being the most expensive and assertive looking cars of the Mercedes automobile palette, it comes as no surprise that they have been quite successful here in Doha. Now, thanks to a prestigious development deal between Salam Bounian’s project, The Gate, and NBK Automobiles, AMG’s first ever Middle East stand-alone showroom is coming to Qatar. As part of The Gate’s elite in-house brands, AMG will bring a whole new level of pizzazz to its already fashionable address. A line-up that includes AMG favourites G55, SLK 55 and the ever-popular SLS, is sure to attract the right type of crowd.

Raw ability, coupled with streamlined engineering make these more than just fast cars, they make them stand-alone examples of automotive perfection. With plans to open the showroom later this year, AMG enthusiasts should keep their eyes and ears open, because the roar of these machines cannot be missed.

Long trip? Longchamp!

Known for its classic luggage and travel accessories, Longchamp is now branching out into the hard-shell luggage game. Okay, maybe it’s not so much a game as it is an extension of the business in which they’re already involved. Longchamp has paired up with Boxford+ to design its new line of suitcases and give them that long lasting tough exterior we’ve come to pine for from the French accessories designer.

Unlike other hard-shell carry-alls, these pieces are ultra lightweight; an attribute of utmost importance to those of us who seem to always end up with too many kilos when it comes to weighing in at Doha International. We refrain, of course, from naming any names. Ultradurable, Longchamp suitcases are more than just sturdy, they look elegant and refined, as is to be expected from the stylish travel pro. If textured leather envelope handles, zipper tags and of course the rider’s logo on the front aren’t enough to get your travelling/packing urges racing, Longchamp added another nifty accessory. For those who want to keep their belongings private and still manage to get them through customs, Longchamp has included a state of the art combination lock that will keep others out, but allows customs to take a peek if need be.

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sur la terre in town

The Sentry of Dunhill

The newly launched writing instruments by Dunhill remind us of none other than James Bond himself. With classic design and ingenious features, the Sentryman USB Ballpoint, Sentryman Explorer II and the Namiki Turtle properly ring true to Britain’s 007. The Sentryman USB Ballpoint, as you may have guessed, includes a cleverly hidden 4GB USB stick. Protected from water damage, this neat gadget comes in masculine black and red and is a style statement in its own right. The Sentryman Explorer II takes it a step further; with three interchangeable nibs, writers can delight in using an 18 carat gold fountain nib, a pencil or a ballpoint, according to their mode of use. Now, say you’re taking down important notes and suddenly find yourself without the magic of light; well, Dunhill has included a torch within this clever marker, making sure you never go awry. With only 150 pieces produced, this truly is a collector’s item. Not to go too masculine, Dunhill has also put forth the Namiki Turtle Fountain Pen, an instrument so intricate and ornate, it takes six months to complete, making the 25-piece limited edition an understandable call. Behold the three masterpieces that will delight everyone’s inner writer.

Jagqatar

The new jaguar XJ truly is a driver’s car. Available in standard and longwheelbase models, the XJ’s interior is available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, Portfolio and Supersport. Drivers have their pick of colours, veneers and hides, all adding up to the ultimate in personalised automobile satisfaction. Modern, agile and graceful, the brand new Jaguar XJ presents a whole new take on automotive excellence.

Already very popular in our Gulf state of Qatar, the new Jaguar XJ was unveiled recently at the Ritz-Carlton Doha under the supervision of Jaguar Cars Design Director Ian Callum and Alfardan Premier Motors General Manager Mohamed Kandeel. Jaguar’s newest model will be available through Alfardan Premier Motors later this spring.

The EOS Evolution

A picture is worth a thousand words; a clear, crisp high-resolution picture, that is. With our world becoming increasingly digital, we can now take photographs with just about anything, from a mobile phone to a pocket calculator, and yet the demand for high quality “classic” camera equipment has never been so great. Professionals have always trusted the Canon name to ensure the quality of their shots. Now, regular folks have picked up the Canon EOS scent, and certainly won’t be letting it go any time soon. Canon’s newest EOS model, the EOS 1D Mark IV is your go-to camera for high-speed, high-energy events.

This 16-megapixel beauty provides photographers, professional and amateur alike, with Dual “DIGIC 4” processors, allowing them to shoot continuous high-resolution images at a staggering ten frames per second. What’s more, the EOS 1D Mark IV also features state-of-the-art movie functionality, shooting HD quality videos at 30, 25, 50 and 50 frames per second (fps). Available now in the ME region, this camera is sure to fly off the shelves.

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sur la terre in town

Montblanc’s Lucky Stars

Montblanc’s newest horological creation truly does reach for the stars.

With dazzling diamonds surrounding the case and luminous blues and whites accenting the inner and outer parts of this time piece, Montblanc’s Star Magie d’ Étoiles Lady Diamonds does more than just tell time. Encased in 18 carat white gold, strapped with a white satin wristband and featuring a weight of over 2 carats on the bezel, horns, flange and dial, this watch is more haute jewellery than teller of time. A scintillating composition of precious stones, the Star Magie d’ Étoiles leaves every onlooker in awe. A perfect marriage of style and sophistication, it titillates the soul. Available only to the truly fortunate, the Star Magie d’ Étoiles is as exclusive as it gets. Montblanc decided to only manufacture a limited edition of fifteen individually numbered pieces of the white masterpiece and another ten of the black. Only the luckiest of ladies will get her hands on this beauty.

Come Over, Rover

With ample following around the world, Range Rover has been the SUV of choice for many luxury-oriented 4x4 aficionados. Elegant styling and generous power reserves make sure that a Range Rover never disappoints in looks or performance. With the New Year upon us, Doha welcomes the new Range Rover 2010. Complete with a new LR-V8 engine, the 2010 model boasts 16 percent better fuel economy and an increase in power that tops out at an impressive 510 brake horsepower. Both exterior and interior underwent subtle changes in keeping with classic style and modern feeling. Interiors now come with luxurious European leather to be draped over all bits and pieces, truly giving you a sumptuous experience. A new 12-inch TFT screen shows you all crucial driver information, while menus and graphics have undergone design changes to make them more efficient. Safety and parking ease come naturally with a near 360-degree view surrounding the vehicle, while enhanced Dynamic Stability Controls make sure you never get stuck in the sand. If these tidbits of information have you salivating to get your Rover fix, it’s probably time to stop by Alfardan Premier Motors and get your first taste of the Range Rover 2010.

Panerai’s Illuminating Luminor

The new Panerai Luminor 1950 Chrono Monopulsante 8 Days Oro Rosa – 44 mm being the watchmaker’s first step into chronograph movements, the stakes of this creation were high. However, being the quality horologist it is, Panerai introduced yet another masterpiece of watch making. Sure to be a hit among collectors, the new Luminor was produced in a single edition of only 150 watches. Classic in design and colour, the Luminor’s case comes in rose gold while both strap and dial are kept to an elegant dark brown. Not to be outdone, the transparent case back allows wearers to take a peek at the impressive P.2004 calibre chronograph movement. The strap is fashioned out of alligator leather and clasped with a rose gold buckle. Should you tire of the colour or grow weary of the strap, fear not, for Panerai provides you with another strap and even a little screwdriver to make the switch yourself. The Italian watchmaker truly has thought of everything.

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sur la terre in town

De Beers Delights

Diamonds weave through a delicate pattern of floral lotus as they ornament hand, wrist and neckline. Set in white gold, De Beers’ new Enchanted Lotus collection sparkles with all the grace of timeless charm. The intricate lotus design echoes through the wedding band that repeats upon itself in flowery whirls, while both pendant and bracelet encapsulate the crisp flower within a diamond encrusted heart. All pieces are crafted with fine and dainty appeal, keeping them classic and versatile. Heart shaped hoop earrings replicate the enchantment of the collection as they glisten during day and night.

De Beers’ Enchanted Lotus collection gives wearers the ease and versatility of classic jewellery perfection, leaving all others in awe of such timeless design.

Tom’s Musk

Packaged in clean, crisp white, Tom Ford’s newest line of White Musk is fresh and unassuming in its approach to deep, sultry pungency. Ford creates four distinct trails of White Musk, celebrating the diversity of approach when playing with delicate scent notes. White Suede marries masculine and feminine tones as it plays with both ends of the fragrance spectrum. Ford aligns the sweet scent of Bulgarian rose with earthy notes of smooth leather, forming a perfect tincture of opposites. Musk Pure is spiced with floral and citrus notes that mingle to give you intense freshness. Lily of the valley and jasmine flavour the background of pure musk enlivening and intensifying it. With early notes present in Musk Pure, Jasmine Musk takes it a step further and introduces you to an intensely floral background. Ford combines vanilla, sandalwood, yetiyer, cistus and amber to compliment the two strong tinges of musk. The luxury of a flowery bouquet permeates the very essence of this fragrance, leaving the wearer with a passionate flowery density. White Musk’s last incarnation comes in the form of Urban Musk, the lighter, more polished musk of the bunch. Spiced with pepper and cumin, this scent takes on an oriental personality of its own. Finishing off with benzoin Laos Orpur, Urban Musk provides uniqueness in every stage of its fragrant exploration. From fresh and clean to deep and sensuous, Ford’s collection of White Musk provides the right shade for every personality.

Ritzy Rides

Guests and locals staying at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Doha can now rejoice in the opulent atmosphere of German engineering when being driven around town. The five-star hotel has signed a deal with Prestige Cars, which ensures that guests will be transported in the lavish confines of the new BMW 7-series. As the pinnacle of first class transportation in Qatar, Prestige Cars has become THE name in leasing and renting luxury automobiles. The deal between the two companies ensures that Ritz-Carlton patrons will now delight in the comfort and elegance that only a BMW can provide. In his new role as General Manager of the Ritz- Carlton, Pep Lozano said, “The Ritz Carlton, Doha is a world-class five-star destination with a premium positioning and a high-profile customer base, therefore it is appropriate for us to associate ourselves with a premium automotive brand like BMW.” We couldn’t agree more.

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sur la terre exclusive spotlight

Grilling Gordon

sur la terre exclusive spotlight

Ramsay Holdings has endured a tough couple of years, both financially and in a PR sense, does the opening of Maze Doha represent a ‘new start’ and the road to recovery?

The 2008 recession hit us hard. The downturn was instant and 2009 was a hard year. Footfall was the same but spending went down 17 to 20 percent. But while London held up, we were very exposed overseas. We re-structured and we bailed out the business with our own personal money. The new openings, in London and abroad do show that we’re on the road to recovery. We’re not being complacent but we’re careful. 2010 is a really exciting year for us.

As a regular patron of Verre during my time in Dubai, I was always impressed by the quality of service, the knowledge of the staff and allround experience, and from your books and TV shows it is clear that you are very passionate about the high standards you set. How hard is it to maintain such a high quality and are you afraid that without you in the Kitchen regularly, standards might slip?

Everything we open has its own entity with talented individuals at the helm, from Angela Hartnett [Michelin Star chef who heads up Murano in London] to Jason Atherton [who holds three Michelin Stars and runs Maze in London]. I’m there to guide them and to oversee but they’re all very capable of maintaining the high standards customers expect.

You have often been accused of spreading yourself too thinly with Restaurants spanning the globe, however you have always installed quality chefs, who will head up Maze Doha, and why do you think they will make it a success?

You spread yourself too thin if you just roll out a brand. We always put a really strong individual to lead each restaurant. Robert Daniels is heading up Maze Doha. He has worked for the group for a long time, from Boxwood Cafe and Maze in London under Jason Atherton, to launching the restaurant in Prague [Maze Prague]. Recently he’s been at our restaurant in South Africa [Maze Cape Town].

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sur la terre exclusive spotlight

What can the dining public in Doha expect from Maze? Will it be a carbon copy of Maze London, or will you bring something different? Tell us a bit about the menu and the cuisine on offer. With your reportedly new found tolerance for their food, will there be vegetarian options?

The concept of Maze is to break up the traditions of French cuisine and Jason has really injected some fantastic Asian influences into the London menu. This will be reflected in the Doha menu but using the fantastic produce available to us. There will always be vegetarian options on offer, of course.

I for one cannot wait to tuck in at Maze Doha, what are the signature dishes to look out for? What is Gordon Ramsey’s recommendation for a three-course meal from appetiser to the most important part, dessert?

The marinated beetroot is a real favourite at our London restaurant so we have brought it over here. It’s a stunning dish. The Gulf snapper is fantastic. I’d finish with the Valrhona chocolate fondant, a real classic.

You recently returned from India where you have been quoted as saying, and I paraphrase here, that “you learned to cook all over again and rediscovered your love of food”. Will we see any of that influence in the new restaurant, given our proximity to that part of the world?

Yes of course. Not in the sense that I’ll be putting a curry on the menu but in the sense that I learnt new techniques in India and new ways of using spices. The vegetarian food was also incredible there, a real learning curve.

I know from my time in Dubai that there were plans before the recession hit to open a second restaurant there, so how did Maze Doha come about, and what attracted you to open on the Pearl Qatar?

We had many a long discussion with the Alfardan group over the opening of Doha. They’re an incredible group, heritage of 100 years, an amazing hospitality sector and they’re real entrepreneurs.

With several years’ experience in the Gulf market, what are the challenges of running an establishment here in this part of the world?

There have certainly been differences working in the Gulf. The drinking rules are clearly very different to the UK, we have got a license to serve wine but we are not serving any spirits. We have to use different menu combinations and produce on the menu. It’s a very interesting challenge.

You have probably been asked this a million times, but Hell’s Kitchen is a very popular show here in the region, and one of our designers is a huge fan, who wants to know how much of the shouty, stressed out ogre we see on screen is playing up to the camera, or is it, as you maintain in your book Humble Pie, the real deal?

When things go pear-shaped in the kitchen I do get annoyed, but when things are running normally I’m fine. I’m just being too honest, that’s all, and that’s what it’s like in each and every restaurant I’ve ever worked in.

I don’t think it’s ever going to be any different, but I don’t go out of my way to shout!

On a more personal note, what is the best meal you have ever had (that you didn’t cook), and why?

On a date with Tana before we were married. We were at the Hotel de Paris in Monaco and had dinner out on the terrace. We had chilled lobster bisque with caviar which was just mind-blowing; a beautiful stuffed whole seabass which we shared; and for dessert an amazing Baba au Rhum to die for. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.

Finally, the food you prepare is of Michelin Star quality, but sometimes we all crave a greasy burger, kebab or pizza. What is your junk food of choice?

I love sweets, preferably jellies.

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sur la terre going global

Are You Trippin’?

After much discussion in the Sur la Terre offices about the best holiday destinations for 2010, we couldn’t decide on just one. So, with just a toothbrush and her Longchamp ‘It’ bag, we sent Deputy Editor Mina Kavcar out on the road to find ALL the best places to spend the next 365 days.

< Sveti-Stefan, Montenegro. >

sur la terre going global

>>> Travelling easily takes the top spot as one of our favourite past time/ any time activities. We’ve been lucky enough to have visited and seen the far reaches of the world and shall now take the time to give you an itinerary of must-see places for this year. Sure, you might have stopped over in a few of these destinations but true to Sur la Terre form, we’ll make sure to give you the best of the best in terms of accommodations and activities. So buckle up, it’s going to be a breathtaking ride.

As we stroll into springtime, the late March – early April air may still be fresh and breezy right here in Doha, yet, we at SLT say pack on up and head to Kyoto, Japan. In fact, you may want to whip out that Macbook of yours and book your flight as you read these words. Why, you ask? Simple: the annual cherry blossom viewing, locally known as Hanami, will be in full swing and you definitely don’t want to miss it. Other highlights include Fushimi Inari shrine, one of the thousands of shrines in Japan.

Built several hundred years ago, this Shinto temple invites you to pass through thousands of “torii,” or traditional Japanese gates. The walkway is purely startling with its gripping reds and blacks. Having taken in this cultural masterpiece, you may wonder where you should stay. We highly recommend the Hyatt Regency, a top of the line luxury hotel just minutes away from the Higashiyama Shichijo, the traditional and cultural district.

Designed by Super Potato, the hotel incorporates a feel that is both modern and traditional, giving you an accurate depiction of Japan today.

As for filling that now rumbling tummy of yours, head to Maison d’it, the perfect melange of French and Japanese cookery. www.misogui.jp

< Kyoto, Japan. >

Now that you’ve welcomed spring in all its blooming glory, you may wonder what to do next. The answer lies in The People’s Republic of China. With the World Expo starting off in May, it would be a shame not to visit. Just a relatively short plane ride away, Shanghai holds the answer to all your international, culinary and shopping needs. With a vast array of delicious eateries and shopping outlets, no moment will go

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unaccounted for in this bustling metropolis; and with the world’s nations being on display, you could not go at a better time. For starters, we recommend you stay at the all-new Peninsula Hotel.

Located on the Bund, Shanghai’s architecturally historic district and main tourist attraction, suites in this five-star accommodation give you breathtaking views of the Bund, Huangpu River and Pudong, China’s commercial and financial hub. The magnificent hotel, which opened its doors in < Shanghai, China. > October last year, is a landmark on its own as its Art Deco inspired layout sprawls across the Huangpu riverfront. You could dine at the Peninsula’s Yi Long Court restaurant, home to Chef Chi Keung Tang, China’s first Michelin Star winner, or you could venture out into the city formerly known as the Paris of the Far East. We suggest you do the latter and enjoy some of the most mouthwatering dishes you have ever tasted. You may want to wander on to Xintiandi, Shanghai’s pedestrian French quarter, where you’ll find restaurants, cafés, shopping malls and more.

Feel free to venture further along onto Taikang road, an artsy more clustered street filled with small shops and cafés, and be sure to check out the magnificent silk scarves on offer. For those of you who are looking for that wow factor, head to M1nt, Shanghai’s hippest nightlife locale. Diners and later guests will be mesmerised with the 17-metre long aquarium that’s home to more than twenty black and white reeftip sharks. If dozens of subaquatic carnivores don’t keep you entertained, the awe-inspiring rooftop certainly will. With views sprawling across town, you’ll know why you came here in the first place.

Just after the expo gives you an international taste of the world, you may want to head to the very southern tip of Africa. The FIFA World Cup gets its ball rolling on June 11th, and is sure to be an historic sporting event.

Since football fans can be - how shall we put this - “rather determined” when following their sport, they will certainly have booked their flights and hotels for this mother of all football events, months (if not years) in advance. So what’s a relatively “last minute” booker to do? Well, not much honestly, but assuming you made it to Cape Town, we recommend you stay at the Mount Nelson Hotel. Classically elegant, this hotel simply makes you feel taken care of and comfortable. Once unpacked and settled in, you should head down to the picturesque waterfront area where time seems to stand still as you take in all the sights. Since you’re in Africa, it’s only fitting that we’d send you on a safari and since we here at SLT wouldn’t just send you on any old safari, we’re giving you the opulence that is Sabi Sabi. You’ll get within whisker’s length of lions,

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sur la terre going global

< Cape Town, South Africa. >

leopards, rhinos and more as you are kept in the lap of luxury. With only four different lodges available, your stay is sure to be utterly exclusive and may we suggest that you decide on the Earth Lodge, as it is the most modern of them all. For more information visit www.sabisabi.com.

stopping by at some point during the summer months. With thousands of years of history and crisp, refreshing dives into crystal-clear blue water, you just can’t go wrong. Among the thousand or so islands in Greece, Santorini is the most romantic of them all. White washed cubic

Summer is in full swing and what better time to visit Europe than now?

We’ve decided to give you a choice between two great destinations: Venice and Barcelona. To be fair, with distances in Europe being what they are, you could probably just visit both. Venice is easily one of the most romantic cities in Europe, making it a sure forerunner on this year’s must-see list. Between the beaches, markets and restaurants in Barcelona, we simply couldn’t resist sending/attempting to send you there. While in Venice you should stay at the Cipriani Hotel, where extravagant accommodation is just a short private boat ride away. The epitome of indulgence only continues once you step out of the hotel and embark upon your tour of this passionate city on the water. Barcelona cannot be pushed into an envelope of modern or classical, eccentric or unruly; it simply goes with the flow and gives you a small taste of everything. We suggest you stay at the W hotel, conveniently located on the beachfront in la Barceloneta, from where you can easily grab a ride to El Boulli, a culinary exploration of flavours you never knew you could experience. With its doors closed at least six months out of the year, this gourmet tour de force will stun you without question. It may take you a while to get there, (175 km from Barcelona) but trust us, it sure is worth the wait. Between Picasso, Gaudi and Montaner, Barcelona truly has drawn in greatness, and for good reason.

We understand that leaving these Mediterranean locales might prove to be difficult, which is why we decided to simply send you to two other nearby favourites: the alluring Greek island of Santorini and its close northern neighbour Montenegro. The Greek Isles are known for their pictorial beauty and fresh, clean waters. We must admit, they rank pretty high on our own list of top travel destinations and we can’t resist

< Venice, Italy. >

sur la terre going global

houses are flanked by blue domed chapels and azure waters. Can it get any better than that? We think not. To enjoy Santorini in true opulent style, we propose you stay at Galaxy Luxury Suites & Spa, where you’ll be housed in your very own villa designed according to Cycladean style.

Shall you find these villas to be booked, head on over to the indigo dream that is Volcano View Villas, where you can not only enjoy your own private villa, but also your very own private pool to go along with it.

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two-day trip starts and ends in Oslo from where you’ll be set up with equipment and gear to take you to the northern most point of our green planet. You’ll track seals and polar bears, ski and ride snowmobiles as you spend nights with an eternal sun above your head. If all this sounds like a must-see “vacation,” check out www.quintessentiallyescape.com for more information.

Montenegro, often described as the pearl of the Adriatic, has been an insider spot of the travelling elite in recent years. Between historic mosques and monasteries, coastal marvels and a bumping nightlife, this small Mediterranean nation certainly won’t disappoint. When there, make sure to book your digs at the hopefully reopened Sveti Stefan.

Once a favourite of Hollywood stars and starlets, it’s a luxury island stay of its own. Construction schedules and deadlines being what they are, we’ll give you another option just in case this one doesn’t pan out – Hotel Splendid should take care of your every whim, shall you chose to stay there. As for getting a grip on those hunger pangs, head on over to Budva, a bustling part of town sure to kill those cravings.

< Antarctica. >

< Santorini, Greece. >

Having spent the summer months in the strikingly beautiful Mediterranean, you may be unsure where to go next. Cool, clean waters truly do put us all into a better mood, but to find more culture and something slightly outlandish, we’ve decided to send you to St. Petersburg and Antarctica. Yes, that’s right: Antarctica. Before we delve into that, let’s start by shipping you off to Russia. Since it should still be September, we’re thinking it’s the perfect time to explore the otherwise chilly imperial capital of St. Petersburg. Once there, make sure to stop by The Hermitage. Situated along the Neva River, it is one of the largest and oldest art museums in the world. Sure, you probably won’t come close to looking at everything, but the mere size of this place is worth a visit.

On a bright sunny day, it truly is a beautiful sight. As for accommodation, kick your heels up at the Taleon Imperial Hotel. You’ll wake up thinking you’re an aristocrat staying at regal digs during the 18th century. The fact that the hotel is housed in a Czarist-era palace might have something to do with it, but that’s beside the point. In keeping with all this royal delight we thought it appropriate to send you to L’Europe for your gastronomic needs. Dealing in the fine subtleties of Eastern European cuisine, this gem will have you mesmerised with its Art Deco interior and even more remarkable menu. The streets of St. Petersburg are prime for long walks and will have you trotting off all that heavy Russian fare in no time. Having been pampered like a Czar, it is now time to head to Czarist temperatures. For true adventure lovers we’ve got the North Pole in mind, but don’t worry, we won’t make you stay in an ice hotel. The

After summery sub-zero temperatures, it’s time to whisk your mind and body off to a more thriving and energetic environment. Enter the spiced brilliance of Marrakech. A city alive with a multitude of faces, sounds and flavours, Marrakech makes the heart race with its pulsating beat pumping through the streets. An exotic blend of past and present, you’ll feel like you’re in a period piece wandering through the square of Jmaa el Fna and its musicians, snake charmers and other characters. Stay at La Mamounia where your every whim will be catered to in lush, mysterious surroundings.

Chanting, dancing and a five course meal will entice you at Chez Ali, a dining experience in its own right while your more luxurious appetites will be stilled at none other than international hotspot Nikki Beach.

If you’re looking for a relaxing, soothing holiday, you’ll probably think of the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean. We know we do. Those beautiful isles are not as close as they used to be (pre-Doha residency), but are still worth every hour in that long flight over. While everyone else is feeling the chill, you’ll be in tropical paradise thanks to the splendour that is St. Barts, St. Maarten and Belize. Palm trees, sunny skies, and waters so clear you can see the hundreds of colourful fish underneath ... have we said enough?

Nikki beach has of course set up shop in St Barts as well, so hop on over and sip an iced (virgin) margarita = or fresh fruit juice to the tune to the tune of soothing lounge music. After you’re done enjoying the day on the beach, Nikki beach, or otherwise sunny endeavours, head back to your suite or private villa at Eden Rock Hotel. With a beach complete with a coral reef, its own boat rental and art gallery, this “cliff side” hotel is all you could want. Try out both Sand Bar and On The Rocks for yummy eats.

St. Maarten, or St. Martin (depending on whether you’re looking at it from a Dutch or French perspective), will keep you entertained with shopping, golf, 37 beaches to chose from and an array of exciting water sports. We suggest you sleep at the Pelican Resort Club. As for leisure, you may want to stop by Porto Cupecoy and marvel at lavish real estate and a spectacular marina to match. Grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants or fill your shopping bags to your heart’s desire.

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sur la terre going global

Belize is the laid back version of the three isles on display. A fisherman’s paradise, it caters to your need for repose and tranquillity. We would say grab a book, or a loved one and head over to ponder the true meaning of life. While you’re at it, take hold of a fishing rod and see if you can catch that night’s dinner. For a comfortable stay away from home, we’d point you in the direction of Chabil Mar Villas. The private, gated luxury resort will welcome you with open arms and keep those pearly whites of yours showing through the remainder of your stay.

Far away from our Caribbean adventures lie the Himalayas in all their majestic glory. Home to somewhat mystifying nations, we must admit we’ve always been curious about that particular part of the world. When one of those countries started limiting the amount of visas given out to a few thousand each year, you know we wanted to see what it was all about. That’s exactly what happened with the Kingdom of Bhutan and we’re sure glad it did. A realm steeped in culture and history, the Kingdom of Bhutan is a study of civilisation and tradition. Once your visa makes it past the gate, you’ll head to the Taj Tashi Hotel in Thimphu and enjoy the superb views of nearby mountains as you breathe in that 7500 feet above sea-level air. The Taj has a golf course nearby, but we must admit that this destination is one reserved for soul searching and life’s many unanswered questions.

You’ll find yourself drifting off into thought many times a day as you gaze over the natural nooks and crannies of this unusual land. Make sure you pack warm clothes, as the Himalayas are known to surprise guests with summery warmth or freezing bouts of wintery frost. The Taj offers local sightseeing tours as well as delicious meals, and we promise that visiting the Kingdom of Bhutan will definitely be a trip of a lifetime.

Having covered the Mediterranean and Caribbean, we couldn’t leave out the unsullied waters of the Indian Ocean, and what better way

< Bhutan. >

to introduce these clear beaches than with Zanzibar as their setting?

The island just off of Tanzania has long enjoyed rave reviews from visitors who’ve marvelled at the wildlife and ambrosial strands.

Then again, we’re not sending you to Zanzibar, because we’ve got something better for you.

Our Indian ocean get-away takes place on Mnemba Island. Never heard of it? That’s likely, since it’s the quintessence of exclusivity with a maximum of roughly 20 guests at any given time. There are ten bandas, or bungalows, on the island all of which provide ultimate privacy and innate elegance as they display original weaving and carving inside. Be prepared to dine on fresh fruit and fish gathered and caught < Zanzibar. > mere minutes before finding its way onto your table. Just a 20-minute boat ride from Zanzibar and you’ll be just far enough to feel secluded but close enough not to feel cast away.

That rounds out the year for us. We have given you a wide array of diverse destinations to truly tickle your fancy. We’ve also put them into a relative timeline to help you take your pick according to your vacationing needs/wants. The world is your oyster, or should we say pearl (wink, wink, we’re in Qatar). Corny jokes aside, we do hope you make it to a few or at least one of these hotspots and experience some of the wonderful places the world has to offer.

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The Luxury of Travel

< Hotel de Russie, Rome: One of the many international gems to discover through the Artisans of Leisure. >

Pictures: All rights reserved

Travel, like time, is one of the greatest luxuries we have in life. We’d say it’s somewhere in between buying diamond-encrusted watches and breathing. In fact, travel has never been as luxurious as it is in the 21st Century. Sure, we may not have personal teleportation devices or gravity-defying super armour, but both technology and customer service have indeed evolved, and merged into a fantastic modern amalgam of gallivanting glory. Custom-tailored, bespoke travel is prevalent throughout the world, and excellent packages hosted by independent companies are seemingly infinite in scope and availability. And yet, even though all of these developments have been put squarely in the hands of a waiting public, the prevailing belief is that, thanks to little things like the global monetary meltdown and the mass desire to make “rational financial decisions,” global travel is perhaps not worth the time QMMF hosts the Moto GP under f loodlights 2009 > and money.<Right?

Wrong!

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>>> According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), while global tourism may have suffered throughout the year of 2009, with an overall decline of about seven percent, the trend has changed already in the early days of 2010, with statistics rising favourably by a few percentage points.That means that the times, they are a changing ... again.This still may not be enough to wrench the remaining critical contingent of travellers out of a societal call to reduce so-called “unnecessary” expenditures like luxury travel, so to those amongst our readers who are firmly within this camp, we respectfully suggest the following: Live a little!

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and Portugal sound, with tours of architecturally rich urban sprawls and culture-saturated UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Well, they have those, too. Perhaps dining on gourmet meals in the heart of a luxurious Southern African safari lodge or colonial-chic private game reserve is more your thing? From Singapore to Ecuador, India to Austria or Morocco to Mexico, the Artisans of Leisure have hand-picked the very best places to see and the most luxurious ways to see them.

Now, while there is nothing specifically wrong with penny-pinching, there is so much more you are missing when you don’t let yourself splurge a little ... or a lot, for that matter. Travel is expensive, this is true, but if you’re going to shell out those hard earned riyal to skip town for a week, you may as well throw a few more on the pile and make the experience especially unforgettable. It’s like we say here at the Sur la Terre offices, “If you’re going to get wet, you might as well go swimming.”

Don’t worry though, dear reader, we aren’t about to throw you in the deep end of luxury without some well-placed advice. To that end, allow us to introduce to you your essential instructor for indulgent travel: The Artisans of Leisure.

< Experience a special safari in South Africa. >

< Kayaking in Kiwi country. >

Conceptualised and created in 2003 by Ashley Isaacs Ganz, Artisans of Leisure is a private company dedicated to creating once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences for discriminating vacationers for whom price may not be an object, but gleaning a robust cultural understanding is.

Interestingly, Ashley and the Artisans (which would be a great name for a band) have tapped into a growing trend in travel, which shows that bespoke “concierge services” are on the rise, even within mid-range travel. Just imagine what they can (and will) do on a luxury budget!

Given the amount of choice travellers have while roaming through this modern global village in which we live, it’s no surprise that a little help is very much appreciated, not to mention well-needed. The dizzying scope of destinations on offer with Artisans of Leisure includes the entirety of most of the world’s continents, but they are not about to drop you in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas or Australasia without the well-trained guiding hand of a true Artisan.

In Japan, for instance, they will race you through the verdant undulation of a mountainous countryside, tucked safely in the first-class section of an ultramodern bullet train. Your stops include temples, markets, traditional festivals and other custom sightseeing ventures, all whilst wrapped in the veil of luxury, as you stay in the very best places the Land of the Rising Sun has to offer. How does a luxurious tour of Spain

In fact, the only thing that is arguably more diverse than the places that the Artisans will take you is the menu of activities and outings that they will take you on while you are there. Special interest tours are becoming more and more popular with a planetary populace that has grown somewhat jaded to regular travel, and the sumptuous smorgasbord of tours with the Artisans is enough to intrigue even the most apathetic adventurers. You can literally “cater” your tour with a culinary journey through any number of countries, taking in as you do not only a feast of sights, but also a delicious banquet of local delights. Special shopping trips may put an even bigger strain on the coffers, but owning a genuine Turkish rug, a modern Vietnamese painting or some custom-made jewellery from Rajasthan is surely priceless. For the bold and/or the daring, the veritable cornucopia of exciting excursions under the adventure banner are multitudinous to say the least. African and Indian safaris, hikes through Bhutan, treks around

< Get a taste of something new in Japan. >

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< Meet the Locals: The Artisans introduce you to interesting indigenous individuals. >

volcanoes in the Galapagos and kayaking through Southeast Asia are but appetisers to the crucial adventures that await you with the Artisans.

“At its core,” says Ashley Isaacs Ganz, founder and CEO of Artisans of Leisure. “The company’s travel philosophy is about getting to the cultural heart of a destination.” If it is one person who is qualified to get to this golden nucleus of luxury, it’s Ashley. Having travelled extensively and even lived in many countries throughout the world, she also boasts professional work experience as an executive travel expert in arguably the centre of the travel world: New York City. Of course, we can’t forget the fact that she holds a master’s degree in sociology and historical studies from the New School for Social Research in New York, and has even completed PhD coursework at the London School of Economics, where her thesis was a sociological study of luxury travel. If all of these factors don’t sell you on Ashley being on top of her game, nothing will! The other Artisans of Leisure are similarly accomplished, and a brief gander at the company’s website shows the simultaneous wide-breadth, yet individual focus, that each member is able to employ in his or her mission to plan your perfect holiday.

“Our tours immerse travelers in luxury and culture,” says Ashley, and that’s not all they do. The Artisans of Leisure not only find you the very best in luxury accommodation and arrange high-class day tours and things like spa treatments, they also help alleviate the headaches that come from every level of travel, from assisting with airport transfers and visas, not to mention getting around the country you choose to explore.

They have set up a worldwide network of associated offices, all of which are staffed by seasoned professionals who are ready, willing and able to

be at your bespoke beck and call, just in case you fly into some unforeseen travel turbulence. Never before have we seen the art and luxury of travel so accentuated, with the annoyances so greatly reduced. It is because of the company’s commitment to globetrotting through the good life that we give the Artisans of Leisure a big, gilded Sur la Terre seal of approval.

Quite simply, there is no better way to travel.

To find out more about the Artisans of Leisure, visit www. artisansofleisure.com, and don’t forget to check out the company blog at www.artisansofleisuretraveler.com

< A camel ride of a different calibre in Morocco. >

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In an effort to sink our teeth into the gooey centre of luxury travel, Sur la Terre talks to founder & CEO of Artisans of Leisure, Ashley Isaacs Ganz

The Original Artisan

You have travelled extensively throughout your life and have even lived internationally as - if we may - a citizen of the world. Can you think of a specific place or experience that truly captured your imagination and motivated you to create Artisans?

One example that comes to mind is when I was travelling independently in Udaipur, India, years ago. I was walking around the town, and some children ran up to me as they were getting out of school. Their mother was with them and they invited me to their home. We spent several hours together, and they took me to a local festival that I never would have known about. There were

< Hotel Cipriani, Venice, Italy. >

< Founding artisan Ashley Isaacs Ganz. >

hundreds of families, painted elephants, food vendors, music and a lot of local entertainment. It was a wonderful day, and it’s that type of experience—a moment of exploration and spontaneity—that I most value when I travel. Our tours are designed so that travellers can have such moments and explore according to their interests and tour with local insiders. That night, I returned to my hotel, the (now Taj) Lake Palace Hotel. It was the perfect end to the day because the legendary hotel offered its own kind of authenticity in its history, architecture, elegance, and stunning setting in the middle of the lake.

I like to get beyond the famous attractions and also focus on lesserknown markets, shops, backstreets, neighbourhoods and excellent local restaurants.

I was motivated to start Artisans of Leisure because I had never come across a company that guarantees travellers very luxurious accommodations, a very high level of service and destination expertise, and all touring being private and flexible. In summary, I felt there was a need for a company that catered to affluent, experienced and extremely curious travellers.

Artisans of Leisure has established itself as quite possibly THE most well regarded luxury lifestyle travel company in the world today. How has the company changed or adapted since its founding?

I’m happy to say that we really haven’t changed a thing. I founded the company based on very fundamental principles that don’t change over time. Luxury travellers have always wanted the very best. They want to deal with professionals who offer great service and unrivaled expertise. They are willing to pay for knowledge, insight and access.

They want to experience authentic culture. They want to be safe.

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< Hotel Caruso, Amalfi Coast, Italy. >

They want each day to be flexible and highly personalised. These requirements have never changed. Our travellers consider it a priority and great value to ensure that their leisure time is well spent.

In an ever changing world, do you find that travel trends or even destinations change with great frequency?

Our travellers aren’t really motivated by trends, but more by solid and enduring style and products. They seek special places and experiences that inspire them. Certain destinations occasionally become less popular for a period of months or even years due to one reason or another, but those destinations always bounce back. We’re always keeping an eye on new destinations that we know are incredible but where the accommodation and local infrastructure hasn’t yet reached the level of luxury and sophistication that we require.

Your tours are structured, but not rigid. In fact, the bespoke nature of each tour is famous in the luxurious world of the socially elite. Have you ever encountered requests from clients that were just too difficult to meet? Have there been any particularly strange (or downright ridiculous) requests while travellers customise their personal holidays?

We’ve never had a request that we couldn’t fulfill, and we receive interesting and unusual requests every day. For example, one of our

< Ashley and family vacationing in Italy. >

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< La Residence, Franschhoek, South Africa. >

clients wanted to visit trash incinerators in Japan, so we found the most interesting examples for him to visit. You’d be surprised—a few of them have been designed by world-renowned architects, such as the spectacular Naka Incineration Plant in Hiroshima, Japan (it was designed by Yoshio Taniguchi who redesigned the Museum of Modern Art in New York City). However, there have been requests that we would not accommodate because we felt it would be offensive to the local culture. We always prioritise the customs and etiquette (and laws!) in each travel destination, and we simply won’t arrange a service that would be considered disrespectful to the local people.

We know it must be impossible to choose just one or two, but do you think that Artisans of Leisure does one region particularly well? Do you have a favourite?

Fortunately, we have a team of in-house travel specialists who are experts in all the destinations we offer. In terms of pure luxury, a few of my favourite destinations include Southeast Asia (especially Thailand and Indonesia), India, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and Morocco.

As we are based in the Middle East, and we know that you must have quite a strong base from the Gulf region, is there a specific tour that you

find is popular amongst the community here? On a similar note, how is tourist travel to the region looking from your experience?

We have many clients in the Middle East and receive requests from them for tours in destinations all over the world. A few of the most popular destinations include Japan, Bhutan, India, Southeast Asia, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Turkey and New Zealand. As for travel to the Middle East, it’s a region that is very appealing to our travellers, who recognise that it offers sophisticated luxury and lifestyle options, dynamic culture, and fascinating history.

What is next for Artisans of Leisure? Are you expanding on your already voluminous library of destinations or perhaps adding to the diversity of your offerings in any way? If so, what can we look forward to?

Yes, a lot of our clients ask us to handle their services wherever they travel, so we are constantly expanding to accommodate their requests.

We recently launched private tours in Southern Africa, which we’ve spent years perfecting. We also recently launched tours in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Greece is next. We’re also significantly expanding our series of special-interest tours, which offer in-depth focus on themes such as cuisine, shopping, art, architecture, adventure, and family travel.

MFA Applications Due April 15th

The Master of Fine Arts in Design Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar guides professionals in developing depth and breadth needed to identify design solutions that will reshape the region. Individuals with a passion for expanding their horizons in design research, pedagogy and entrepreneurship are encouraged to apply.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Fashion Design Graphic Design Interior Design Painting & Printmaking

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sur la terre artopia

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Senior Editor Steve Paugh joins the Museum of Islamic Art’s pearl exhibition curator Hubert Bari for an exclusive look at the ocean’s most opulent orb. >>> Behold: the humble yet exquisite pearl.

It is the very definition of an enigma wrapped in elegance; the quintessential symbol of inborn luxury. Perfectly spherical, oracularly opaque and richly bewitching, the power of the pearl is driven by the fathoms of subtle rainbow halos that blink and twist in the infinite depths that taunts us just beyond its surface. The pearl has captivated the living world with its mysterious splendour for over 7,000 years - an obsession that is realised in no greater region than the Gulf. Long known for its storied history in pearl hunting, Qatar is the perfect setting to unfurl a world of pearl, and so it has at an ongoing temporary exhibition at Doha’s own Museum of Islamic Art. Created to shuck the heretofore tight-lipped shell that clasps tightly the secrets of pearls, the exhibition answers questions with as much brilliance as it amazes with its pieces. Of course, the first question I had when I walked in and was surrounded by a kingdom of pearls was quite simple: Where does it all come from?

“Fish poop” was the unexpected yet informative two-word reply given to me from the exhibition’s curator, Hubert Bari. As “cultivated” and “natural” as the pearls that so inspire him, Bari is a joyfully varied gem.

He is erudite yet affable, learned yet relaxed

A seven-stranded pearl necklace > << Caption >

and, given the nature of the aforementioned answer to my initial query, infectiously jovial.

While admittedly funny, Bari’s answer was no less true. Contrary to popular belief, pearls are not formed from a grain of sand, but instead from a parasite, which is often born and then released from the stomaches of fish - hence, fish poop. This parasite lodges itself into the “mantle” (shell-creating organ) of a mollusk, and as it attempts to escape into the soft flesh of the animal, it can bring with its shell-making cells. The irritation caused from this mixture of shell and flesh then creates a cyst, which in turn produces a conchiferous (or “shell-like”) substance from which a pearl is eventually formed. Interestingly, sometimes the “parasite” comes in the form of a worm or small fish, and the museum has a few astounding examples of these “pearlified” organisms that must be seen to be believed.

Such was the initial salvo of information that would burst into a deluge of data and inundate me with intrigue. Bari went on to say that this accidental natural process has always been rare, stating that around 2,000 Arabian Gulf oysters had to be caught to even find one pearl; and that even more sea snails in the Caribbean - an astounding 20,000 - had to be fished for a single pink pearl.

< A pearl necklace by the famed Tahitian farmer, Robert Wan >

Thanks to overfishing and a strong cultivated (man-engineered) pearl industry, however, the exclusivity of natural pearls has grown exponentially. Still, the scarcity of natural pearls and the beauty of those that are cultivated continue to fascinate and astound on a global level.

< A mere handful of the stunning rare pearls at the exhibition >

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< Mikimoto’s stunning “grape” necklace >

As the exhibition shows, the pearl trade has thrived across the planet for millennia, emanating not only from the Arabian Gulf in places like Bahrain and Qatar, but also in Panama, Mexico, Venezuela, South-East Asia, North America and even the Arctic Circle.

From these places, they rolled to and from the farthest reaches of the planet, particularly to places like Greece, Rome, China and India, where some of the most stunning pieces of art, jewellery and other finery were created for admirers. The large globe that stands

< Extracting the elegance >

< An image of the last pearl dive in Qatar >

as the nucleus of the first room illustrates this rambling nature of the pearl, as do the examples that surround it. In our tour around this room, Bari showed me, amongst other pieces, a collection of sixteen unique Melo pearls from Geneva, each one ablaze in a vibrant orange starburst of colour, appearing as a moment of brilliant fire, ironically frozen in a spherical second. Nearby are the first two pearls of the chambered nautilus to have been identified, measuring 10.9 mm (7.53 carats) and 9.4 mm (4.48 carats) respectively, these

pearls tremble in a deep mist of cloud and cold, the crisp beauty of which I have never in my life before that moment beheld. Still more examples were the Queen conch pink pearl from the Caribbean, the extremely rare freshwater pearls from the Mississippi and black pearls birthed from the Atrina vexillum, all of which successfully redefine the previously held preconceived notions of the pearl.

Ducking through the hallway to the right, we sauntered past large microscopes where guests get even more up close and personal with the ins and outs of the multi-layered world of the pearl, exploring as they do magnified cross sections of pearls as well as those that remain intact. On the wall hang x-ray images of the pearls we had just seen, creating an even deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural art that goes into their creation. The remainder of the hall is a waltz through time as guests are shown the historic, cultural and even religious significance that the pearl has commanded from under its magnificently murky visage. Even at the end of this journey through the ages, the historicity of this amazing experience is far from over; in actual fact, it is just the beginning.

“Now this is really something,” said Bari with almost ringmaster aplomb as he led us into the next section. Even these heartfelt words, the panache of which I learned not to take lightly during our tour, paled in the light of what met

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us as we turned the corner. There is one name that still today exists as THE symbol of the longheld local love affair with the pearl: Alfardan.

In a monumental arrangement, the Museum of Islamic Art has showcased the indescribably breathtaking personal collection of Mr. Hussain Alfardan, himself. Otherwise known as “The Pearl King,” Alfardan has, over the years, accumulated one of the finest collections of natural pearls the world has ever seen, which is ironic given that this is the first time it has ever been shown publicly. Resting in piles across the velvety red landscape of cloth that is the traditional presentation of pearls, the Alfardan trove is a rich banquet of free-standing and strung pearls sourced from across the world, including South-East Asia, Australasia and the Americas, not to mention the Arabian Gulf.

Facing this spectacular display on the opposite wall is a video that shows an in-depth slideshow of images and film showing the lost culture of pearling in the Gulf, as well as the very last pearl dive in Qatar, which was held at the end of the 1970s. Set in the scene of an aquatic theatre, this section is perhaps the most arresting, as it sets up beautifully the rest of the tour, which explores the decline of the pearling industry and the rise of the cultivated pearl.

In terms of pearls, if the 19th century belonged to nature, then surely the 20th belonged to Man. Commanding a reverent attention at the centre of the next room is a bust of the man who truly revolutionised the art of pearl making, Japanese entrepreneur Kokichi Mikimoto. By working with two other men, Tatsuhei Mise and Tokichi Nishikawa, who had perfected the process of creating and harvesting homegrown spherical pearls, Mikimoto successfully wrenched the rare process from the vice-like grip of Mother Nature and into the waiting hands of humanity.

Since then, cultivated pearls have dominated the luxury landscape over their natural cousins.

The museum tells this story in a unique way; not just with words, but in the priceless creations that have resulted from this amazing discovery.

Pieces like the Yaguruma, which contains cultured pearls, sapphires, diamonds and emeralds and was one of the earliest pieces of jewellery to be produced by Mikimoto, and the uncanny Necklace Grape, which is comprised of 163 black South Sea Pearls, are but two of the staggeringly tremendous examples that have come about thanks to Mr. Mikimoto. The most tremendous of these, if not for its understated design, then for its celebrity significance, is the Mikimoto pearl necklace that belonged to Marilyn Monroe, which was famously given to her on her honeymoon by then husband Joe

< Jewelmer Pearl Farm, The Philippines >

< “Pearl Fishing Boat” a depiction by artist Ali Sharif >

< Black pearls from the Mar De Cortez >

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DiMaggio. “You will never be as close to her as this,” said Bari with a smile.

The stardom that is rife in this exhibition, however, does not end in Hollywood heartbreakers and American sporting stars.

Just around the corner lies the true glitz and glamour in the section appropriately called “The Treasure.” At the centre of this collection are pieces like the unique Carpet of Baroda. Made in 1865 by the Maharaja of Baroda, the 1.5 million pearls sewn onto deerskin came from the fishing of at least 750 million Arabian Gulf oysters. God bless excess! Other treasures include a decadent Chinese imperial robe, an emerald, diamond and of course pearl-festooned Nepalese headdress and one of the oddest yet most wondrous creations, a yellow gold and diamond tarantula with a massive and extremely rare reddishbrown horse conch pearl abdomen. Now, that’s our kind of arachnid. These treasures, set in massive glass displays or quaint wooden display cases stretch and snake through the section like a glittering constellation of untold wealth, all the way into the final room of the exhibit. As you will see in our exclusive interview with him, Bari is a fierce admirer of the late, great Coco Chanel.

Her unequalled taste in fashion and her ability to set trends, as she did with pearls, led her to fame during her life as well as an incredible posthumous respect and veneration that holds true today. The collection in this homage to Chanel is nigh-unprecedented in scintillating elegance and allure, with extraordinary pieces that were inspired by Mademoiselle Chanel herself.

< The famous Yaguruma sash clip by Mikimoto >

< Fishing for fashion: The aqueous art of pearl cultivation >

Engrossing to the point of hypnosis, the special pearl exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Art is quite literally a “tour” de force through the haute history of one of the world’s most remarkable precious materials. In it, Hubert Bari has expertly chronicled the pearl’s natural narrative through time and captured its essence as a living piece of art. Be sure that you don’t miss your opportunity to pry into the secret and seductive world of the pearl.

< An inner whirl of the pearl > < Gold Pearls farmed from Jewelmer in the Philippines >

< “Bullet Pearls” are some of the more oddly-shaped offerings at the exhibition >

< The Chrysanthemum Brooch by Faerber >

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The Pearl Is His Oyster SLT gives Exhibition Curator Hubert Bari a pearl for his thoughts.

What was the process like to get this particular exhibition together? With all of the many different pieces from literally everywhere around the world, you must have had your fair share of challenges in curating it.

It was a challenge to have accepted this natural history section in the exhibition, especially with the weird pearls and weird shells that are unknown to almost everybody. But then, I wanted to show that pearls were not just these white things that come from the Gulf alone; that would have been too easy. For me, the most beautiful pearls are not the ones everyone thinks of, but the large orange pearls from Vietnam and Burma. We have groups of ten or two pearls, or even one alone that are unknown in the world, and what I was chasing was to show that great, big variety.

With the works of art in the collection, like the ones from Chanel, you know what to call it and where to get them, but for the pearls, I had to study and analyse each one, and to find the original shell. This was big work! But now, people are discovering that places like the Mississippi and Tennessee rivers were full of pearls from years ago, and that now the animals are extinct and the pearls are finished.

The collection you see here is the only place you can see them.

We know that Alfardan is a huge name in Qatar’s bejewelled history, but what statement are you making by including this personal collection?

Of course, the presentation of the Alfardan pearl collection is really impressive. These are classical, beautiful pearls, but the market for these and other natural pearls is quite narrow.

We have come to rely on recycling our jewellery with natural pearls because the discovery of them today is very limited. Some of the others are extremely rare, with only 30 or 40 found a year. But you still have passionate people hunting for pearls - what I call the weekend divers - so maybe there are something like 100 pearls found a year, maximum. But then, even that would be less than one percent of the pearls found in a year in the Gulf. So, I mean, you need something like three years to find one necklace!

< Pearl exhibition curator, Hubert Bari >

Do you have a few pieces in the exhibition that really strike you? Any personal favourites?

In the Mikimoto section, we have probably our most glamorous object: the Marilyn Monroe necklace. It really is spectacular, not only because of what it is, but also because you know who wore it once. I personally also like the extraordinary 15cm chrysanthemum corsage brooch made in the 1900 by Henri Vever for the World’s Fair in Paris with these strange Mississippi pearls, which are for me the most important pieces on the market. It is a beautiful object and typical of 1900s France, with a return to nature. Of course, the great thing with pearls is that they can be used to create things from the natural world, like the necklace we have with black pearls in the form of grapes. You can imagine a lot of fruits and flowers made of pearls, and the 1900s was a very rich period for them. They are very versatile.

You pay significant attention to domestic and international celebrity in the exhibition, with a whole section dedicated to Alfardan and Mikimoto respectively, and you finally cap off the exhibition with Chanel. Why did you decide to finish with Chanel?

Well it’s good to finish with the light depiction of the pearl. I’m also an admirer of the character of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. She was beautiful and independent in the way she was against a purely male society. She was also in love with pearls! After the second world war, when the luxury concept was started again, she really popularised the use of pearls. She was always wearing them, and was responsible for bringing them back into fashion. Of course,

Chanel uses only cultivated pearls, so there would not be Chanel without the cultivation process made popular by Mikimoto, which is another reason why I included them both in the exhibition. They compliment each other.

In closing, after visitors see the natural beauty of the pearl and get inundated with all of the gorgeous sights, what do you hope that people will walk away with and what do you hope they will do with their new knowledge?

Well, I would hope they would go to the museum shop to buy pearls, but unfortunately we aren’t selling anything! [laughs] Honestly, in Qatar, I think that it’s important to have people appreciating cultivated pearls because everyone swears by natural pearls, even though they are finished here. You know, in Bahrain, for example, it is forbidden to introduce or sell cultivated pearls because the pearl artisans are still valued today and the new process goes against the natural pearl and a certain way of life and industry.

Many people believe that the cultivated pearl completely destroyed the industry in the region for natural pearls, but that’s not true. The cultivated pearl arrived and destroyed a lot of fisheries, but the seas were overfished anyway and this was a time when the oil industry started.

For most fishers, it was just better to work in the oil industry than be a slave as a pearl driver, where the conditions were poor and the job was difficult. Still, I think it’s important for everyone to see and experience this lineage. We want to educate and inspire in the limited time we have as an exhibition. [laughs] A limited time for a limited material.

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Being Bvlgari For over 25 years, Nicola Bulgari has been one of the foremost leaders within the internationallyrenowned, yet family-run luxury lifestyle institution that bears his surname. That may only be a fraction of the 125 years that Bvlgari has been in business, but he has personally ridden the crest of many a wave of change, and has seen the company through both tribulation and triumph. In a very exclusive interview, Steve Paugh speaks with Nicola Bulgari about his brand name, his familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fame and the changing rules of the luxury game.

< Mr. Nicola Bulgari. >

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Having just recently celebrated 125 years of Bulgari, it is safe to say that the famed Italian jeweller has transcended time to become one of the world’s most enduring brands. That it was founded and still remains a family-run company is but another achievement for the great family name. What is it about Bulgari that so resonates with a global audience and for such a long time? In essence, how has Bulgari been able to stand the test of time and geography?

Bulgari always remains loyal to its Italian roots and rich heritage. From the beginning, we positioned ourselves away from the strict disciplines of the dominant French school. We created our very own unique style inspired by Greek and Roman classicism, the Italian Renaissance and the 19th century Roman school of goldsmiths. All collections since then have been stimulated by the origins of the brand creating a very strong brand identity. Despite the international expansion we have undergone with almost 4,000 members of staff, and the test of time, having celebrated our 125th anniversary last year, we remain solidly Roman as a business and family. Bulgari’s creations are innovative, bold and distinctive; they feature a prominent, contemporary style that combines classic aesthetic elements with modern conception. It is a timeless piece of luxury.

< family photo caption: The Bulgari Family. >

< Diamond and fancy coloured diamond ‘en tremblant’ Flower spray brooch, 1962. >

You have been professionally involved with the company since 1984 in your role as Vice-Chairman, and since that time there has been a massive push by Bulgari to diversify into avenues outside of the jewellery for which it is best known, into things like perfumes and wristwatches, amongst many other branded luxury goods. How else has the company evolved since the beginning days of your tenure? What, in your eyes, have been the greatest achievements for Bulgari and what aspects of your growth have been the most challenging?

In the 70s, we opened stores around the world in New York, Geneva, Monte Carlo and Paris. This marks the beginning of the Group’s international expansion. A range of successful innovations has helped form and diversify our product portfolio even further to create the strong brand. With a high diversification comes the danger of diluting a brand.

For Bulgari, this challenge was successfully taken, so that nowadays Bulgari is a lifestyle brand with jewellery, watches, and accessories, as well as perfumes, cosmetics and hotels all under one umbrella. Having built this brand from the origins in a small village of Epirus has been very challenging, especially when competing with the big luxury groups. We are proud of the family tradition remaining active in the company and within each innovation.

We hate to still be talking about any “financial crises,” but since the “critical” feel continues to linger in the air around the luxury market, it’s still a must. While it has been no doubt affected by the financial downturn, Bulgari continues to survive with both its grace and renown in tact. How did Bulgari stay in the game during the crisis, and how does it plan to continue to do so considering the changing needs of the modern world, the economy and fickle demands of the buying public?

It is our heritage and strong brand equity that has allowed us to survive the financial crisis. Our history, the arrival in Rome 1881, the Via Condotti shop, the dolce vita Hollywood stars; these are all fairy tails that are still alive today. We have become a brand that is synonymous with luxury worldwide. By diversifying our product portfolio, we target a vast majority of customers, allowing not only the elite to indulge in Bulgari. Even in a crisis, even when needs change, people cannot live without aesthetics.

There is something special about Bulgari, of course, but particularly here in the Gulf, the name is fantastically popular and well-regarded.

In fact, you were recently in Doha for our 2010 Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, where the brand once again garnered quite a bit of interest from the V.I.P.s of the Qatari social scene. Why do you think that there is such a devotion to the brand here and how important is it for Bulgari to be such a strong presence in Qatar, and in a wider sense, the Arabian Gulf region?

The customers in the Middle East have a high appreciation of beauty and prestige. People like to buy jewels for self-indulgence or to please someone else by gifting: two aspects ingrained in the concept of highend luxury, where quality, design, attention to detail and timeless beauty can always guarantee an unforgettable experience. We wanted to share a selection of our most prestigious pieces with Middle East customers and brought spectacular items from our high jewellery collection, which are one of a kind worldwide and travel through stores in Rome, New York, London and Paris. These pieces were enriched with the private collection of the Bulgari objets d’art: The Vintage Collection to show the heritage of the brand. The clients were enchanted by the stories behind the history and beauty of each piece.

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As we said earlier, Bulgari seems to take the ebb and flow of global taste in stride when evolving as a company, without sacrificing its own traditions. The pieces that come from the house, in whatever medium they exist, are to this day quintessentially “Bulgari” in appearance and feel. However, do you feel as though the brand is influenced by its increasingly international clientele? Has Bulgari changed its designs based on its geographic location and importance in the modern world?

Bulgari will always remain loyal to its heritage and its brand equity as an Italian luxury company. Nevertheless, trends and movements, art and culture, as well as the customers’ changing needs and changing lifestyles give inspiration to developing the product. You will always find Bulgari takes its inspiration from the roots and correlates these to the present.

Whilst we try and look ahead, to think of the future and to revolutionise and modernise, it is the heritage that is the DNA of our brand, making the creations and their artistic evolvement so strong.

We know this one may be difficult, given the aforementioned years that Bulgari has been around, but since we know about everyone else’s tastes, can you tell us any pieces that stand out to you as personal favourites, be they jewellery, watches or otherwise? Do you ever become attached to pieces so much that you hope they are never sold, and if so which ones?

I become very attached to our pieces and it is with enthusiasm that I admire those that bear the evolution of style. For years, my grandfather, parents and my family have made and will continue to make styles in order to create, keep alive and improve our company. I personally look at every high-end piece and give my finishing remarks and input before it goes to the stores. For some of the pieces, I even create the design myself and follow each step of evolution, from the buying of the stones to the final setting and finishing of the piece.

< Keeping it in the family: Nicola stands next to a photo of his grandfather Sotirio Bulgari. >

The company has, since 2004, when the first Bulgari Hotels & Resorts opened its doors in Milan, been a big player on the luxury travel scene.

Now, Bulgari has a presence in Bali and has established two restaurants under the travel banner in Japan. Firstly, while we can understand why Milan was chosen, for obvious historic reasons, why were Bali and Japan chosen thereafter? Also, what was the reasoning behind getting into the travel market, and what is the “Bulgari difference” when it comes to high-end travel and accommodation?

Diversification into high-quality products underlines our creativity and reinforces the Bulgari brand and the hotels go a step further.

Here, the customer can live the entire Bulgari experience. Both Japan and Bali reflect the customer service and luxurious environment that our customer seeks and that a luxury brand, deserves. It was therefore logical to set up these activities and we look forward to expanding to other countries in the future.

< Nicola Bulgari and American TV star Ginnifer Goodwin. >

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< A-List Hollywood star Jessica Alba and Nicola Bulgari. >

On a personal level, we know you must travel quite extensively. As we mentioned, you were just recently in Doha and have most likely been travelling since then. What is the best thing about travel for you personally, and can you name your favourite places to travel, and why you so enjoy visiting these places?

The impression you can gain by travelling throughout different countries is something unique, rewarding and meaningful. I have been lucky to experience such different journeys and met a variety of different people when travelling. The cultural experience, the various landscapes, the culinary delights of each country give you inspiration in your daily life and inspire you to re-discover and re-interpret. There is not one specific place I like to travel to, but there is one specific place I like to come back to, which is my family.

When you are travelling, what pieces from Bulgari do you like to wear?

I always wear a Bulgari timepiece. For example I like the GMT model, as it gives me a certain flexibility of time telling. I can check what time it is in Rome and in the US where my family lives. Finally, can you give us a sneak peek at anything coming out soon from Bulgari? Obviously, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking forward to the newest regular collections, but is there something that either you are really looking forward to, or perhaps something that you believe will do particularly well in the Gulf region?

This year we will move a further step regarding our watch making development in the high-end and grande complications segment.

We have decided to merge the cutting-edge skills of our Gerald Genta and Daniel Roth Manufacture with the prestigious image of Bulgari, which we will launch in the Basel Fair this year. As the watches show the contemporary design of Bulgari as well as the exceptional technical human quality of watch making, I am positive the watch lovers in the Middle East will highly appreciate this new collection of timepieces.

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Singapore Fling

< Clarke Quay is a lively nightspot >

Managing Editor James McCarthy discovers a vibrant culture on the Asian island metropolis of Singapore.

>>> I awoke in my business class sky bed, bleary-eyed but well rested as flight QA638 touched down at Changli International Airport. I had spent the night dreaming about the adventures of 1930’s big game hunter, Frank Buck (or at least the portrayal of him in 1980’s TV series Bring ‘Em Back Alive). I don’t know why, but in my romantic imagination, I pictured myself stalking the Singaporean jungle in a pith helmet and safari suit (though without the pencil-thin moustache) during my four-day stay at the ‘Crossroads of the Orient.’

The reality, however, was quite different. Changli’s new terminal is the height of modernity, with the most inviting baggage reclaim area in the aviation world. My luggage was disgorged onto the carousel from a hole in a sheer, vine-covered wall that is lit by the natural sunlight streaming through the glass ceiling - all to the relaxing soundtrack of trickling water.

Minutes later, and I was heading to the exit, excited at the prospect of a cultural heritage tour through one of the world’s most modern and exponentially growing cities, to which I had been invited by the Singapore International Foundation.

< The Doorman of Raffles in full colonial splendour >

Singapore is one of the few developing nations to make the leap from third world to first in under a generation. Since gaining independence in 1965, the jewel in the crown of South East Asia has morphed from a bustling colonial trading port into one of the world’s banking powerhouses and a cultural centre for the Orient. I was about to take a first-hand journey through this evolution, and in the process I would fall in love with the small South Asian island, its people and its melting pot of cultures. And it all started with a handshake.

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< Colourful lanterns for Chinese New Year adorn stalls in Chinatown >

“Hello James, I’m Prescilla. Welcome to Singapore,” my smiling host greeted me as I stepped out into the balmy afternoon sunshine. My rumpled Paul Smith suit and bed-hair belied my excitement at what lay ahead.

In the comfort of an air-conditioned mini bus, we swept through the glisteningly clean streets of a modern metropolis, lined with lush greenery - something that will immediately strike the traveller from the Gulf. “The government passed a law that states that there have to be green spaces,” Priscilla explained. “As we are such a small island, with such a high population, sometimes we have to be quite creative about where they go,” she said, pointing upwards through the window. There were palm trees and foliage sprouting from nearly every balcony of the residential complex we were passing.

Grand Surroundings By late afternoon we arrived at the Club Lounge of the lavish Grand Park Hotel City Hall. Located slap bang in the epicentre of what can only be called the heritage district of Singapore, the hotel is minutes from City Hall, the Orchard Road shopping district, St Andrew’s Cathedral and the newly developed social centre of town, Clarke Quay.

Keen to get refreshed and explore my surroundings, I entered my spacious double room, sent my suit for dry cleaning and hit the opulent marble-clad bathroom. The modern state-of-the-art entertainment system kept me amused while I perused the list of hotel services and decided that a spot of dinner was in order before venturing out into the city. I chose the Singapore Laksa (actually, in Singapore they just call it Laksa), a spicy seafood-based noodle soup which, frankly, was amazing.

This creativity brings me nicely on to the size of the island. Singapore in 2008 was around 20 percent larger, through land reclamation, than it was when it won independence from Malaysia in 1965. There are plans to reclaim a further 38.6 square miles by 2030. This expansion is necessary to accommodate a 4.99 million strong population within its 271.8 square mile area (Singapore is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with roughly 15,000 people per square mile). This makes harvesting land mass from its own hills, the sea bed and neighbouring countries a necessity.

However, it was time to leave the cooling comfort of the air-conditioning, and to step into the sultry Oriental evening with a short walk to Clarke Quay, which is a stone’s throw from where Sir Stamford Raffles originally landed to establish the city as a trading post for The East India Company in 1819. The banks of the Singapore River have changed dramatically since the legendary governor first hauled anchor here, and further still from the bustling trading centre of the preceding years, where the river would be filled with Oriental-style Junks and other boats of different shapes and sizes, all trying to offload their wares to local traders.

This became more apparent as we coasted along the not-so-aptly-named Beach Road, which these days sits about 500 metres away from the seafront, as are some of its historic (formerly) beachside addresses, such as the Raffles Hotel and the original, colonial-era, immigration building.

Modern day Clarke Quay is a vibrant playground for yuppies, expats and tourists, where trendy bars, clubs and restaurants throb to electronic beats and the sound of party-going revellers mix with the blinking lights of the Central Business District’s glistening towers.

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Once you are done enjoying the party atmosphere, head to Orchard Road.

A taxi will cost you just a few Singapore Dollars - a small price to reach one of the world’s most thriving shopping districts. Alternatively, you can hitch a ride on the city’s excellent metro system, which is considered one of the world’s most advanced.

The sweeping boulevard is home to no fewer than 20 shopping centres and malls, which house every kind of retail outlet, as well as more cafes, clubs and eateries. ION Orchard is probably one of the newest additions and houses Prada, Giorgio Armarni, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and Cartier across its 9,000 square feet. You can pick up your Vacheron Constantin and Chanel at Ngee Ann City mall, while DFS Galleria sells Bottega Veneta and Bulgari. It really is a shopper’s paradise, all overlooked by the President of Singapore’s official residence, the Istana, which is by far the most elegant building on the street and is located at the southern end of Orchard Road.

While my credit card was begging to be set free, it was late and time to hit the comfort of my giant bed. An early start beckoned, and a cultural heritage tour of the city was on the cards.

Orient-eering Waking up was a struggle. The five-hour difference really does play havoc with the body clock. However, a steaming shower and a sumptuous breakfast spread in the Club Lounge got me going and in the right mood to take on the city.

Priscilla and Teshwindar from the SIF, along with Sindhu, the other journalist on the trip, were waiting for me in the lobby and were eager to get cracking. A short drive later, and we were back on the banks of the river where I had wandered the night before, though this time further downstream. We stood in the shadow of Sir Stamford Raffles himself as our guide, Swaran, put our location into context and his words formed a vivid historical map of the area. Across the river were some of the original houses that stood in the early days of the colony. Distinctly European in appearance, though with local additions to help with the tropical climate, they are now dwarfed by the shining towers of the modern city.

Swaran explained that the government is trying to balance the need to maintain its heritage with the need to use all the space available to it.

As such, a lot of the buildings, internally at least, have been converted to new uses, while the facade remains original.

From there we went walking through some of the key cultural centres of the city, namely China Town (which was resplendent with colour in preparation for Chinese New Year), Little India and Arab Street. This is where the magic of Singapore finally came into focus.

< Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore >

There are many places in the world that can be described as a ‘melting pot’, but Singapore truly is just that. Various Chinese ethnic groups form 74.2 percent of the island’s population, Malays account for 13.4 percent, Indians make up 9.2 percent, while Europeans, Arabs and other groups number around 3.2 percent. The best bit about this is that everybody gets along. This mess of languages, cultures and races seemst to just come together and work. Business is done efficiently, the city runs smoothly, transportation is excellent and people are polite and happy to help. On top of all of that, it is among the safest cities in the world with one of the lowest crime rates on record (I didn’t see a single police car for the duration of my trip). One stop on the tour that summed up the harmonious nature and culture clash of Singapore in equal measure was Waterloo Road. On this nondescript Asian street you will find a tolerance rarely seen in other cities. This truly is an ideal model for a fractured world.

This mish-mash of people, beliefs and ancestry bears many rich fruits, particularly in the culinary arts. In these ethnic districts, the aroma and tastes of all corners of the East wash over you, invading your senses and tempting you from every doorway or spice stall. Perhaps one of the most priceless cross-cultures to be borne of this perfectly blended soup of humanity is that of the Peranakan. The descendants of traders who married local women, Peranakans form a unique hybrid culture which, to this day, remains an important part of the island’s living heritage, and which I was to learn more about on the second day.

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< The Marina, Central Business District and the Singapore Flyer >

Peranakan Provender While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese, there are also other, comparatively small, Peranakan communities, such as Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty Melaka), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang).

This fusion of cultures is best showcased at the Peranakan Museum, formerly a schoolhouse built in 1910 by prominent members of the Peranakan community. The museum is a great introduction to the heritage of the Nonyas (ladies) and Babas (men). The story of the Peranakans is delivered through music, stories and static displays, with exhibits ranging from a traditional Peranakan wedding bed, home shrines and a dining environment which shows the coming together of the cultures as well as a traditional Nonya kitchen.

Food, as I previously mentioned, plays a huge part in the Peranakan community, and recipes are a fresh fusion of Malaysian, Indian and Chinese cooking styles and recipes are closely guarded secrets. So, by the time we finished with the museum tour, the sun was past the yard arm and it was time to eat. Conveniently situated right next door is True Blue Cuisine, a traditional Peranakan restaurant.

This for me was one of the highlights of the trip, fuelling my infatuation for the country further. As we dined with local media representatives, covering the spectrum of print and broadcast, a set meal was prepared with some phenomenal examples of the rich fusion cuisine of the Peranakan. There was grilled meat, curry, delicacies and salads made using local flora and fauna. Each dish was more delicious than the last, and whet my appetite further for the next. They do, however, like their spices, and while I pride myself on my asbestos tongue, even I was

starting to spring beads of sweat on my forehead. Dessert brought much merriment as Priscilla and Teshwindar coaxed me into trying Durian, a pungent local fruit.

The edible flesh emits a distinctive fragrance, which is strong and penetrating (some might even say overpowering and offensive) with a taste to match - at least to my uneducated western palate. There was much manning-up to be done while trying to choke the fruit down and my limited critique that consisted of: “Hmmm, it certainly has a unique flavour,” seemed to cause a great deal of mirth amongst my hosts, who, while delighting in my discomfort, informed me that even among the locals, Durian is an extremely acquired taste and is actually banned on the city’s public transport system because of its piquant odour.

State Of The Arts The jet lag was easing by day three, and an injection of culture was needed. We were meeting with the Singapore National Arts Council (NAC) and had a tour of some of the premier art locations in the city.

Recognising the importance of the arts, not only in defining the cultural identity of the country, but also in the future economic growth of Singapore, NAC has embarked on the formulation of an arts development plan and has been allocated QR 54.5 million per year for the next five years to nurture the arts landscape further to eventually be a serious contributor to the country’s GDP. Among the many projects underway is the development of the first Singapore National Art Gallery, a visual arts institution that will focus on the display, research and study of South East Asian art. Situated in

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< Ngee Ann City, Orchard Road >

< The National Symbol - The Merlion >

the heart of the city’s civic district, the original City Hall and Supreme Court buildings are currently undergoing conservation and adaptive re-use (as with the houses on the riverside) to be transformed into a 48,000 square metre exhibition space by 2013. The original building was erected between 1926 and 1929 by British architect, F. D. Meadows, and has been the focal point for many of the island’s important events. It was in the Municipal Building that Admiral Lord Mountbatten accepted the surrender of Japanese forces in 1945 and the building was home to the office of the first Singaporean Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew.

< ION Orchard Shopping Mall along Orchard Road >

Just down the street is the Singapore Art Museum. This was our last stop on an architectural tour of the civic district, and is situated in the Waterloo Street Arts Belt. Founded in 1996, the gallery’s mission is to preserve and present the art histories and contemporary art practices of Singapore and the South East Asian region. To date, the gallery has amassed one of the world’s largest public collections of both modern and contemporary art (around 7,750 pieces) in the 155-year old building, as well as a growing component of international art installations.

We ambled around the Classic Contemporary exhibition, in which the gallery asks the question, what makes a work of art “classic” or “contemporary?” Many of the artworks probed issues of a serious nature from censorship to society and the nature of art itself with highlights such as His Mother is a Theatre by Suzann Victor and Interogation of an Image

< Getting to grips with the locals >

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< Chinese New Year Decorations >

by Matthew Ngui. The latter was one of the most striking pieces, for its use of perspective and the interaction of the viewer who, at some time in the past, was invited to add to the piece by scribbling, doodling and scrawling their own thoughts across its face.

Bohemian Rhapsody The art didn’t stop at the gallery; it was off for a night at the opera, and the Singapore Lyrical Theatre’s adaption of Puccini’s La Boheme.

To watch this wonderful musical spectacle, we made our way down to the Esplanade - Theatres On The Bay, a purpose-built performing arts venue that hosts many of the country’s big-ticket concerts and events.

The distinctive ‘shells’ that make up the unique and iconic structure have often been referred to, somewhat cruelly, as the Durian. However, there was nothing pungent about the performance inside the state-of-theart 2,000-seat theatre. Puccini’s most famous opera was wonderfully rendered by talented local soprano, Nancy Yuen, as the ill-fated Mimi, and Japanese tenor, Kota Murakami, who played her erstwhile lover, Rodolfo.

As the curtain fell on Rodolfo’s tragedy, it also came down on my trip to Singapore. However, there was time for one final fling on the way to the airport, as I paid a flying visit to the “Grand Old Dame Of The East,” the world famous Raffle’s Hotel. Once a bastion of colonial civilisation in the mysterious Orient, the hotel is still considered among the world’s most luxurious. I had missed ‘tiffin’ (a wonderfully civilised, mid-afternoon ritual that is all about tea and cake for which the hotel is renowned) by a considerable distance, but I retired to the famous Long Room, where

legend has it, an escaped circus tiger was shot dead in 1902. However, the establishment is perhaps more synonymous with the invention of the Singapore Sling cocktail, and no trip would be complete without sampling the city’s most famous export in the place where it was invented 95 years ago.

The hotel is also where Bring ‘Em Back Alive’s Frank Buck used to relax after a hard day’s adventuring, while sharing a joke or two with the Sultan of Lahore. Minus the pith helmet (and pencil-thin moustache), it seemed I was finally emulating my Singapore hero after all...

< Peranakan delicacies >

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!Bon Vuitton!

>>> Louis Vuitton is and always has been regarded as one of the foremost eminent empires of elegance the world has ever known.

Its luxury goods include high-end clothing created by the world’s reigning royalty of design, distinctive and distinguished perfumes and colognes, stunning pieces of jewellery, the pinnacle of handmade timepieces and of course, the reason why Louis Vuitton is so wildly popular in the first place, designer handbags and luggage. And yet, probably the most successful, well-known and most often copied brand in the history of luxury lifestyle is in fact the blooming flower of humble seeds sewn from the ideas of a traveller. It all began when the dreams of a young man carried him not only across the 400 kilometres it took him to get to Paris, but through the hallowed halls of history into timeless haute couture.

Louis Vuitton, the man behind the brand, first moved to Paris in 1835 at the tender age of fourteen with, ironically, only a few clothes on

his back and a new idea in his head. Without much coin in his coffers after the harrowing voyage from his hometown of Jura, France, little Louis was forced to make ends meet by taking jobs around town. His professional experiences eventually took him to the door of a local luggage and trunk maker by the name of Marechal, under whom he became a valued apprentice. By 1853, the now “Monsieur” Vuitton had learned to shape his experience around his own ideas, kneading as he did the first vestiges of what would soon become a fashion powerhouse. The first “Louis Vuitton Malletier” shop opened on Rue Neuve des Capucines in Paris in 1854, where its reputation exploded almost as immediately as its doors swung open.

By exploiting the credibility he had garnered under Marechal, Vuitton was able to appeal to the upscale members of Parisian high society with great ease, and quickly became a household name amongst rich socialite

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travellers. Of course, he was still a relative unknown at this point and couldn’t rest on the laurels of brand recognition, instead using good old fashioned innovation as a selling point. His first amongst these was quite a divergent, if not scandalous, innovation: a flattopped trunk. Perhaps this seems a bit tame in this day and age, but at the time, the prevailing

trend was to create luggage that was rounded on top to allow water runoff from rain and, we can only assume, spilled French wine. Vuitton’s design, however, allowed not only the ability for travellers to stack their beloved luggage, but also to look good while doing it, as the flattopped trunks came bedecked in the classic grey “Trianon” canvas. The designs that came

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out of the Louis Vuitton Malletier rose even higher through the ranks of polite Parisian society, gaining not only the respect and desire of his client base, which included even then the trappings of celebrity in figures like Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, but also the ire of his competitors. It was here that began a problem that would plague the Louis Vuitton brand name and image to this day.

It is said that imitation is the highest form of flattery; of course, it is also the most frustrating.

So enamored was the general populace with Louis Vuitton’s creations that the forefathers of the copycats today began making knockoff replicas to get in on the action. In a bold move during the late 1880s, Louis’ son Georges decided to combat fraudulent fakers by creating the first trademarked LV logo, which used a series of patterns and designs to separate the generic pap from the genuine article. This struggle against counterfeits would prove to be an ongoing one, with further innovations coming from Georges ten years later, after he had taken over the company from his father.

Just before the turn of the century, he would create the now iconic LV Monogram Canvas to discourage impostors to his family’s throne, a quintessential piece of styling history that still astounds and impresses today. And yet, even while embroiled in protecting the image of his family business, Georges led the Louis Vuitton brand further into international acclaim, moving to the United States in 1893 and later into the Far East, thanks to a growing interest in Japanese tastes in France.

By the beginning few decades of the 20th century, Louis Vuitton had created a vast library of offerings, like the soft luggage “Steamer” bag to carry laundry, the light-weight “Keepall” bag for easy travel, the “Noe” bag which was designed to carry multiple bottles easily and of course the LV handbags, for which the company is most well-known today. A few years and hundreds of inspired designs later, Georges Vuitton passed away, thus turning over the reigns of business in 1936 to his son.

Gaston-Louis Vuitton ushered the brand out of what could be considered its “golden age,” but into one that was no less shimmering.

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sur la terre brand history

In 1959, Louis Vuittonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LV Monogram Canvas symbol underwent further evolution to increase its visibility, just as its materials and craftsmanship similarly adapted to the modern market with enhanced durability. Regardless of any enhancements or changes, of course, it always maintained its timeless prestige and vaunted positioning. Louis Vuitton would also make its first (of many) forays into film during this period, in this case on the arm of Audrey Hepburn, who was carrying a Monogram Canvas bag in her 1963 movie, Charade. The company further diversified mid-century by creating LV Monogrammed pieces that were smaller, but no less luxurious, such as purses and billfolds. The popularity of these items along with its already enviable stock allowed Louis Vuitton to propagate both further afield, opening stores in China, South Korea and Japan, and into other business ventures, with the 1983 launch of the Louis Vuitton Cup for international yachting excellence and the automotive-inspired Louis Vuitton Classic.

As the second half of the century moved as swiftly along as the vehicles in their sponsored races, Louis Vuitton built up more prestige and power, and in 1987 joined with MoĂŤt and Hennessy to create the LVMH superconglomerate. LVMH now owns or controls most of the aspirational brands in the world

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today, such as De Beers, TAG Heuer, Fendi, Kenzo and Givenchy, just to name a few. This partnership would prove to be the beginning of several that would heighten the seemingly unstoppable and meteoric rise of the LV name.

The wacky yet wonderful Marc Jacobs was named art director for the esteemed fashion house in 1997, where he would work with other in-house designers to make the company’s first prêt-à-porter collection for men and women, as well as oversee the creation of the Sharon Stone-designed “amfAR” bag in 2000. Other collaborations included a graffiti-inspired collection with Stephen Sprouse and the famed Monogram Multicolore revolution with Takashi Murakami. All the while, Louis Vuitton was opening stores in Africa, Russia, India and South America, rubbing shoulders with celebrity and stardom as it steadily increased the breadth of its global empire.

Uma Thurman, Jennifer Lopez, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Madonna have all been identified with the brand or acted as the “face” for the company. It recently had a prominent role in the 2009 movie, NINE starring Penelope Cruz. In fact, the LV name can be seen or heard in a variety of different media, from the screen, to print and even within the hip-hop flow of notorious rappers like the “Louis Vuitton Don” himself, Kanye West, who last year released his first shoe collection under the LV banner.

Even though the brand is ofter seen socialising with superstars, the true celebrity comes from the pieces in the vast array of collections at Louis Vuitton. Each release, up to and including the latest “post-punk, city utilitarian” styled Spring/Summer 2010 collection, is a reinvention of greatness that succeeds in enhancing its dynamic, ever-evolving style while not sacrificing its over-150 year old legacy. Originally born in the hurried steps of a man seeking significance and tempered in a long family tradition of travelling virtuosity, Louis Vuitton has proven that it can weather the fickle storms of time and taste, and it shall continue to do so in a vogue voyage into the future.

To see a timeline of Louis Vuitton and to see more about their journey through the ages, visit www.louisvuitton.com

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sur la terre unique rides

Dream Machine

Any questions about how Bugatti was to thrust its way into the second decade of the 21st century once its run of 300 Veyron supercars comes to an end were answered in late September as the company unveiled its four-door future at its Molshiem HQ. James McCarthy was there to witness the evolution of a legend. >>> Under a bruised sky, the lucky few gathered.

In a sacred place where a once dormant giant spluttered and roared back to life nine years ago, the chosen waited to see the second coming, the bold next step in the evolution of a motoring dynasty.

The crackle of expectation was tangible, but we all stood patiently as the 100 year history of this dynasty was laid out before us, all of us knowing that the reason we had made this pilgrimage to the Chateaux Saint Jean in Molsheim, the home of Bugatti, was waiting for us behind the double doors at the end of the room.

The time had come, and as the hackles on the back of a collective twenty necks rose in unison and pulses quickened, the temperature in the room rose ever so slightlyâ&#x20AC;Ś Brightness split the subdued gloom and a look of slack-jawed reverence fell across the face of every journalist in the room, as two piercing blue LED eyes stared back with a barely-veiled sense of superiority, silently surveying this new cluster of sycophantic worshippers.

As the light played across the formâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elegantly arched spine, its carbon fibre sinews glistening, the air was filled with sighs of an awestruck

press corps and the susurrus of respectful tributes to a new automotive god, while outside, the heavens began to weep.

While the rain fell on Molsheim, this physical embodiment of aesthetics, luxury and power was given a name: Galibier.

Two to the power of Four Engineers successfully achieved the seemingly impossible task of re-imagining the grand touring family saloon to not only mark a century of automotive excellence, but to outstrip anything that came before it - or after - under the three pillars of Bugatti production

sur la terre unique rides

Galibier can still expect to be pushing up to 950 Newton metres.

Schreiber cited the extensive use of carbon fibre in the chassis, which helps to reduce the weight dramatically, and noted that in order to bring it down further, some structural elements of the car also employed the hardy man-made material. These ‘elements’ are mostly around the engine where the need to drop kilograms was greater than anywhere else in the car.

There is likely to be some more tweaking which could mean that the final production model may have a reduced ground clearance, slightly smaller wheels and a few inches of height shaved off the top, but sadly, Schreiber would not be drawn.

installed by the company founder, Ettore Bugatti, of Art, Form and Technique.

The Galibier 16C, named after an especially challenging Alpine pass in the Tour de France, will become the world’s most highperformance saloon car, should Bugatti take it into production next year.

While Wolfgang Schreiber, Bugatti’s head of technical development, declined to be specific about actual figures, with the Veyron’s W16 engine relocated over the front axle, you can safely bet on between 920 and 1,000 horsepower and the company achieving its target of a 240 mph top speed. Schreiber noted that the engine has been slightly re-engineered to incorporate twin mechanical superchargers to increase low-end torque to the permanent four-wheel drive system, so drivers of the

Probably the least expected announcement was that, in a tip of its hat to the green lobby, the new Galibier 16C will offer owners a choice of standard fuel or bio-ethanol, making it a supercar with a family focus and an environmentalist’s heart.

The devil is in the detailing It is the striking attention to detail that makes the Galibier more than just a run-of-the-mill concept car. From the EB logo laser engraved into the piercing electric blue LED day lights or the glowing moniker on the hubcaps, to the portable satnav-cum-TV screen and the headphone compartments that sit flush inside the interior door panels, this car is a very carefully thought out piece of design engineering.

Perhaps one of the most captivating design elements of the Galibier is its automated butterfly-wing bonnet, which opens like an exquisite jewel case to reveal the pulsating W16 heart of the car. The silent and smooth opening dynamic is sublime.

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As Achim Anscheidt, Director of Design, explained, “I can speak and say a lot about the design of the car, but the truly unique component is the engine. It is something that no other brand - no other company - has. For servicing you take the overall front end away, for your neighbours, however, you open the bonnet.”

The central spine that runs the length of the Galibier is just one throwback to the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantique, one of the most stunning of the company’s pre-war offerings, and creates one of the new car’s most distinctive features.

Even the rear window is bisected by this central ridge, allowing the designers to fit a vertical LED brake light running straight through the middle of the rear screen.

The similarities with the Type 57 do not stop there. The fastback design, while a much more tempered arch, is still clearly an homage to that golden age of Molshiem production. Then there is the flourish at the back of the car - no fewer than eight exhausts, bunched in two groups of four, poke out from either side, and a glass covered registration plate.

When you look at the car as a whole, the brushed aluminium wings are reminiscent, when set against the carbon fibre body, of the wonderfully exaggerated wheel arches of the T57, but instead of rivets, this 21st century masterpiece has a wonderful finish that reveals a deep blue translucent carbon fibre weave when hit by direct light. This, Anscheidt explains, is the work of eight coats of clear varnish, one tinted and “a lot of trouble with the painters.”

He summed everything up by saying: “We aimed for a character of sportiness and elegance. The clear Veyron DNA starting from the front and, at the rear, the clamshell two-tone theme hits home the romance of the golden age of Bugatti - the carbon fibre body in one shell, there is no visible separation there, through to the glass covered number plate, as a final tip of the hat to the Atlantique.”

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The ICONoclast

Steve Paugh is often accused of having his head in the clouds. Come 2012, the rest of the SLT office might join him.

>>> Throughout the ages, acquiring a personal means of aeronautical conveyance has been relegated to a small community of eccentric billionaires, dapper secret agents and spandex-clad superheroes. Take, for

example, the jetpack used by James Bond in Thunderball, or the appropriately named personal jet of Batman, the Batwing. Unless you were heavily involved in the business of foiling the nefarious plans of evil villains

or thwarting international terror plots, the closest you could get to these fantastic flying machines was via the slipstreams of your own imagination. That, however, has changed. We can hear the Top Gun theme already...

That’s right, sky-skipping thrill seekers, you no longer have to don a mask and a cape to soar through the air with the greatest of ease ... although we do still recommend it for style points alone. Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you the ICON A5 personal aircraft.

Founded in 2005 by former US Air Force pilot and motorsport enthusiast Kirk Hawkins, the America-based ICON took advantage of the relaxed regulations established by the Federal Aviation Administration a year before and tapped into a growing international interest in sport flying. After working for years with the best of the best in global aerospace engineering and development, ICON has finally given birth to its very first “bird of play,” the A5.

Utilising a 100 horsepower Rotax 912 ULS engine and capable of reaching a max speed of 105 knots (that’s 120mph for you landlubbers), the A5 (not to be confused

sur la terre unique rides

with the A-Wing of Star Wars fame, though similarities do abound) may have folding wings with a span of 34 feet, a propeller and retractable landing gear (which completes its rotation in the blink of 10 seconds), but to us it looks more like a sleek, sexy sky limo than your classic crop duster. This is especially true on the inside, as the interior is akin to that of an ultramodern sports car, but better because, y’know, YOU CAN FLY IN IT! In fact, one of the only discernible differences between this and a luxury car is the replacement of the classic steering wheel with a couple of joysticks.

In case even that doesn’t remind you that you’re in your own personal plane, both the wraparound glass canopy and removable side windows will instantly jog your memory with sweeping, mile-high vistas and breathtaking views. Intuitive, refined, minimalist and rife with tech that is both useful (GPS motion map) and fun (MP3 in-flight music port), the A5’s interior is exactly the quasi-futuristic cockpit we’ve always wanted in a personal jet.

The performance features of the A5 helps make the decision to never partake in mass air transit ever again all the more easy. Its amphibious design means that take off and landing can be performed on both land and water. Of course, its high-performance wing and airfoil design allow for such a smooth ride, you may never want to come down from the clouds, even when its 20-gallon auto or aviation gas-fuelled tank runs

dry. If you do stay up for longer than your fuel allows (note: this is ill-advised), you can always rely on the optional ICON Complete Airplane Parachute to at very least slow you down.

Dually billed as a “flying jet-ski,” the A5 is as maneuverable on the water as it is in the air, and has undergone multiple tests and engineering tweaks to make sure that it is at the height (no pun intended) of performance across any surface...or lack thereof, as the case may be.

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Celebrities of stage, screen and sport are known for having their heads in the clouds, so it’s really no surprise that the A5 has found favour with a wide range of big names, from multiple Supercross champion, Jeremy McGrath, to superstar actor, John Travolta.

Many renowned pilots have also jumped on the A5 bandwagon, like US Aerobatic and Red Bull Air Race champion Kirby Chambliss and WWII fighter pilot Bob Hoover. That’s not to say that a lapel full of wing badges is necessary for owning one, as ICON offers two week full-time training with authorised sport pilot instructors for a relatively small fee of US$3,500. Add that cost to the US$139,000 price of the plane and US$5,000 deposit, and you are talking some serious coin, but surely shelling out a few grand is worth it to become the captain of your very own plane. With standard deliveries slated for 2012, the A5 still has a couple of years before it becomes more mainstream, but orders are being taken now on the company’s website. If you have ever entertained thoughts of jetting through the heavens, then the time has never been better to jump into the pilot seat with the ICON A5. See you up there!

For more information about ICON and the new A5, fly over to www.iconaircraft.com or send an email to info@iconaircraft.com

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Revvin’ with Devon Brash American Muscle just got some manners. Sur la Terre lusts over the sophisticated Stateside supercar that is turning petrol heads the world over. >>> Unless you’re well-versed in the vast variety of road-based vehicular velocity, you have probably never heard of Devon Motorworks.

We’re here to change that. Founded in 2008

by American businessman Scott Devon, the California-based company is still a bit too new to the automotive scene to be described as a true and proper “force” on an international level. However, much like the titular leader of the company, who himself has been honoured with a series of awards for his outstanding entrepreneurialism, Devon Motorworks is fearless in its approach to the market, and is

starting to turn heads thanks to impressive feats in both design and performance innovation. That’s saying a lot, given that most analysts agree that maintaining a highend car company in this fiscally unsound day and age is ill-advised, if not, in the vernacular of the Western American community where the company was founded, complete and utter “bull-honkey.” At the pinnacle of this “rev-olution,” however is the company’s secret weapon: the 2010 Devon GTX, which we are sure will expunge any derogatory vitriol from industry naysayers.

sur la terre unique rides

Appearing as if designed in the high-tech lair of a mad scientist, the GTX is a mean machine of scowlingly muscular, villainous angularity and classically brutal American automotive aggression. Inspired by the Yank muscle cars of old, the GTX has been billed as the next American supercar, and it’s easy to see why. This seemingly fiendish brainchild of renowned Swedish designer Daniel Paulin and CEO Scott Devon has the lithe and angry mechanised panther stance that has become synonymous with cars from the States. Sweepingly curvaceous lines caress the aircraft-quality carbon fibre surface of the car, pouring over its smooth, uninterrupted front, across its unique two-toned wheel surrounds and forward articulating doors, down to its minimal rear overhang and finally off its dual, centre rear chrome exhaust ports. Excuse us for giving into a fit of melodramatic poesy here, but if the slinking grace of shadows met with the seething ferocity of a midnight riptide, the GTX would be their tangible manifesto.

The company describes the interior of the GTX as “Miesian,” referencing the streamlined geometrical genius of lauded twentieth century architect Mies van der Rohe, and

while perhaps a bit fantastic, this comparison is anything but hyperbolical. The unobstructed electrical dash that mirrors the sleek outward skin of the GTX is the new blueprint of automotive architectural brilliance, as are the carbon fibre-reinforced racing seats and dual grained leather surfacing that stretches over the entire cockpit. A particular highlight is the gear shift, which melts upward and contorts into the retro-chic climb of a liquid metal stalagmite. The end effect is something similar to what we imagine in an alien starcruiser. In fact, never before has the fact of a car’s beauty been so steeped in the visuals of science fiction.

Even the visceral power of this car is drenched in otherworldliness, particularly in the way its heart thumps “fangoriously” with the captivating extraterrestrial power of the Dodge Viper, the platform for which the company made a successful bid last year. That means that its 8.4-litre V10 engine is able to crank out the power of 650 horses at 6100 rpm, which, when combined with a six-speed manual transmission and the complimentary transmission and induction/exhaust system, gives it the most powerful naturally aspirated production powertrain system currently in the market today. Its ferocious power was proven recently

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at the legendary Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca, where it reportedly set new production car lap records with a time of 1:35:075. This time impressed many leaders in the field, not least of which was Devon’s own validation and testing leader, Justin Bell, who speaks on some authority as a former Le Mans champion.

Devon Motorworks plans on producing only 36 GTXs a year, which is actually ambitious for a company with a philosophy of creating clienttailored bespoke packages for their cars. The forward-thinking yet classic craftsmanship with which Devon has forged its GTX is already being celebrated in whispers around the international community, and more than validates the US$500,000 price tag (with an optional $25,000 racing package). Stunning yet simple, fantastic yet functional, the 2010 Devon GTX is pegged by its creators as being able to bring automotive design roaringly into the future. Given the way it rattles us with its brilliant thrust of power and poise, we are more than inclined to believe the selfappointed nature of Devon’s destiny.

For more information on the Devon GTX, and to see how you can get your hands on one yourself, go to www.devonmotorworks.com

Sustainability inspires our every step

Development means taking clear, thoughtful actions towards investing in a brighter tomorrow â&#x20AC;&#x201D; for our customers, communities, staff, shareholders and the world around us. As a future-focused property investment company and developer, we are deeply engaged in ensuring every step we make is connected to our unwavering commitment to people and nature.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s simple, We stay connected

Find out more by visiting www.sabban-pi.com

Connects to Life

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RANCH DRESSING Production Firefly Communications, www.firefly-me.com Art Direction Roula Ayoub Photography Peter Richweisz, www.richweisz.com ModelS Carol and Marie Fashion and Image Consulting; La Vedette, Maisa Taha Hair Mohamed Al Sagheer Salon from Al Sagheer Group Make-up Adel Baba from FACES, Qatar Outfits & Accessories Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Giuseppe Zanotti, REMZA for BCBGMAXAZRIA, Karen Millen 51 East for Alexander McQueen, Citrine by the stones, True Religion, Sebastien Milano, Zagliani Jewellery Bvlgari

Hat BURBERRY Necklace BCBGMAXAZRIA Bracelet BCBGMAXAZRIA Ring BCBGMAXAZRIA Sunglasses RALPH LAUREN Bag ZAGLIANI Top BURBERRY Jacket BURBERRY Pants RALPH LAUREN Boots GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI

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Earrings BVLGARI Bangles KAREN MILLEN Ring KAREN MILLEN Sunglasses BVLGARI Scarf BURBERRY Bag RALPH LAUREN Blouse KAREN MILLEN Pants BCBGMAXAZRIA Shoes BCBGMAXAZRIA

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Earrings BVLGARI Necklace BVLGARI Bracelet BVLGARI Ring BVLGARI Belt RALPH LAUREN Blouse RALPH LAUREN Jacket KAREN MILLEN Pants RALPH LAUREN Shoes BURBERRY

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Earrings CITRINE BY THE STONES Necklace CITRINE BY THE STONES Ring BCBGMAXAZRIA Sunglasses KAREN MILLEN Belt ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Scarf BCBGMAXAZRIA Bag BCBGMAXAZRIA Top RALPH LAUREN Jeans TRUE RELIGION Boots RALPH LAUREN

Facing page Necklace CITRINE BY THE STONES Watch BVLGARI Sunglasses KAREN MILLEN Scarf BVLGARI Bag BVLGARI Top BURBERRY Jacket BURBERRY Capri Pants BURBERRY Shoes BCBGMAXAZRIA

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Earrings BVLGARI Bracelet BCBGMAXAZRIA Blouse RALPH LAUREN Jacket RALPH LAUREN Jeans RALPH LAUREN Boots KAREN MILLEN

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Earrings CITRINE BY THE STONES Bracelet CITRINE BY THE STONES Ring KAREN MILLEN Top KAREN MILLEN Bag RALPH LAUREN Jacket KAREN MILLEN Jeans TRUE RELIGION Shoes SEBASTIAN MILANO

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Earrings BVLGARI Necklace BVLGARI Bracelets BVLGARI Ring BVLGARI Sunglasses BVLGARI Scarf BCBGMAXAZRIA Bag ZAGLIANI Dress BURBERRY

sur la terre objects

Geek Chic

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Text: Liz Christenses Photography: All rights reserved

We present to you genuine gems of the high tech world, from products that will change your life to toys to get you through the morning commute.

Regen ReNu

Regenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ReNu solar power panel harnesses the power of the sun to power any of your handheld devices through a USB connector.

Compatible with iPods and iPhones, and able to charge an Apple iPhone in just 1.5 hrs, the ReNu is a green way to power your life.

The ReNu is part of Regenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s line of solar power products, including an iPod docking station, allowing you to utilise the precious rays of the sun and save electricity while still enjoying the comforts of the gadgets you love. www.regenliving.com

Argon DAB2+ and DAB3+

Classic meets modern in these chic digital radios from Argon.

Offering excellent music quality, radio from DAB, DAB+ as well as FM, iPod connectivity and a trendy, vintage design, these radios will bring music lovers to their knees. Between the classic mono radio found in the DAB2+ and the stereo beauty of the DAB3+, each offered in several colours, there is something for everyone.

Conveniently outfitted with clock, alarm, and sleep functions, as well as an adjustable display, these interference-free miracles will be right at home on your bedside table. www.argonaudio.com

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Nokia N900

Hold the world in the palm of your hand with the unparalleled multitasking and web surfing abilities of the Nokia N900. With the power of a desktop and the portability and convenience of a cell phone, the Nokia N900 truly represents the next generation in internet tablet technology. Boasting a QWERTY keyboard, touch screen, 5MP camera and up to 48GB of storage, and supported by Linux software and a Mozilla-based browser, the N900 is much more than a cell phone. It is the freedom of communication. www.nokia.co.uk

Samsung Dual View ST550 Compact Digital Camera

If you have ever tried to take a self-portrait or group picture or can simply appreciate cool new technology, you will love the new ST550 (TL220 in the US) Compact Digital Camera from Samsung. This is the world’s first camera to have both front and back LCD displays.

With the camera’s big smile sensor, there is no need to even press the shutter button to take a great picture – it knows when you’re ready. Child mode provides images on the front LCD to hold a small child’s attention, and the countdown timer means no more guessing as to when the timer will go off. Top all of that off with 12.2 megapixel resolution, a 27mm wide angle lens, and a 3” touch screen, and you’ve got a miracle of compact photography. www.samsung.com

Philips goLITE BLU

Put the spring back in your step with Philips goLITE BLU. For many, the shorter days of winter and more time spent in artificial light can create feelings of sluggishness, and in extreme cases can even lead to depression. Using clinically proven blue light, Philips goLITE BLU, can restore your circadian rhythms and make you feel more rested. This portable light therapy device is a safe and natural way to fight the winter blues, and includes a clock and alarm. Perfect for sufferers of jetlag, only 15 to 45 minutes each day basking in the soothing glow of this blue light will improve your mood and energy throughout the day. www.philips.com

Toshiba Camileo S20 HD Camcoder

Discover a new video experience with Toshiba’s new S20 Camileo Camcorder, a sleek, slim, and streamlined camera with full HD capability. This trendy new camcorder is light and easy to use, and at 17mm thin, this is one of the slimmest camcorders on the market. With a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor, giving it 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, this little beauty will provide a sharp, crisp picture.

This petite, stylish package is complete with 4x digital zoom and rotating 3” TFT touch screen display, which is available in 7 different colours. www.toshiba.co.uk

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Optoma PK 102

Perfect for those on the go, this projector is literally pocket sized for your convenience. The Optoma PK 102 is like having a theatre in your pocket, which means no more crowding around tiny screens to show the latest video, photos, or presentation. Connect to your laptop, phone, flash drive, iPod, gaming device and more using USB and VGA connection capabilities, or view content directly from the projector, with 4GB of internal memory. Battery-operated and rechargeable, this little wonder weighs in at just over 4 oz and can deliver magnificent LED projection at up to 60” in size. www.optoma.com

mPower Emergency Illuminator

Just when you find yourself in need of a torch, the batteries are inevitably dead. However, the dynamic duo of mPower’s revolutionary battery technology and Porsche Design Studio’s keen design sense has finally found a solution to this problem. The new mPower Emergency Illuminator has not only standard CR123 batteries, but also sports an OnCommand Reserve Battery, which will keep your LED torch at the ready for at least 20 years. As if that isn’t cool enough, it also features a built-in USB port for charging your other gadgets.

Bluelounge Sanctuary

With all of the electronics in our lives, our worlds have become a mess of tangled cables, but what if you could hide those cables away and have a home for all of those gadgets? Thanks to Bluelounge, you can. The Sanctuary is a home base for all of those easily misplaced items, as well as a clever and discreet home for your phone, iPod, headset and more. Able to charge up to 6 items at once, and complete with universal cell phone charger, USB connectors, and more. Now available in this sleek wood finish with PU leather tray, the sanctuary will blend seamlessly into any home. www.bluelounge.com

Sony Ericsson Yari

The next generation of gaming has arrived. Yari from Sony Ericsson allows a whole new kind of gaming. Using only your body, gesture gaming makes it possible to control your character simply by making the moves in front of the screen. Yari combines advanced mobile phone and camera capabilities with the ultimate portable gaming consol. Complete with gaming shortcut keys, a state of the art music player, music call capabilities, and web browser, Yari is perfect for gamers or those looking for a fun way to stay in shape. www.sonyericsson.com

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sur la terre good tastes

A Different Bite of Bice

Pictures: Brown Image Production

sur la terre good tastes

>>> The resonant crunch that echoed throughout the kitchen after Chef Nicola Bacchi emphatically plunged his gleaming cleaver into the prone back of a Maine lobster was not unlike the ravenous, maiden chomp into an overstuffed taco. I admit that this was as disconcerting both visually and audibly as it must be to read, but then again, this is exactly what I had come to experience; that is, the other side of the kitchen in one of Qatar’s most popular restaurants. Of course, any “savagery” that initially assaulted my delicate American sensibilities was soon and surely muted once I tasted the fruits of Chef Nicola’s well-practiced, yet nonchalant skill.

Only moments prior to this most visceral of swan songs, Chef Nicola and I were standing in the kitchen of The Pearl’s most well-known restaurant, Bice, chatting as we basked in the richly scented steam that danced over cauldrons of bubbling vegetable stock. Impeccable and almost clinically clean, the unfettered sights of the kitchen belied the cacophony of scents that were already crashing together and vying for dominance on the breezy Tuesday morning of our visit. We had only just finished discussing his background and the ethos of the restaurant when he finally, almost dramatically, revealed the main ingredient in the exclusive dish that he was about to create for myself and Sur la Terre Deputy Editor, Mina Kavcar. “Lobster,” he said through a characteristic big smile and warm Italian accent, as he stepped aside to reveal the crustacean that would soon deliciously stir the deep sea of our taste. Naturally inquisitive, as is my professional wont, I immediately asked about its preparation.

“I’ve heard you’re supposed to put lobster head-first into boiling water when you prepare it,” I said with some pride in my cooking show-trained culinary prowess, “Is that right?” Picking up the aforementioned knife, he looked at me with his big smile still intact. “No,” he said, firmly grasping the lobster, “That’s not quite how we do it here.”

It is exactly this phrase, simply yet eloquently put by Chef Nicola before exacting his steady-handed skill, that so well defines Bice. Chances are you have experienced this difference for yourself, particularly if you have been devouring your way through the Doha dinner scene over the

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past year. There is something special about this ristorante Italiano, and while it goes beyond its enviable seaside position at The Pearl, it’s a good place to start. As you walk upstairs and into the main foyer of Bice, you are hit immediately with how acutely welcoming are its ultramodern surroundings. Its front dining area is lit with a splendid chandelier that exists in stillness as a frozen explosion of metal and light that doesn’t suffer even against a morning sun that floods its interior rooms during the day. Set back in the right corner of this room is an almost art nouveau take on the classic wood-fire pizza oven, which allows only subtle peeks through its doorframe into the magic that bubbles and burns within.

The outdoor terrace provides a breathtaking backdrop to meals taken under the sky, as it lords majestically over the jade glister of the Arabian Gulf. The entire feel of the restaurant, both inside and out, is clean, unfettered and in a word, brilliant; all adjectives of which can be equally applied to its cuisine.

We have heard a dirty little rumour around town that Bice is “overpriced for what it is,” but in all honesty, we have to respectfully disagree. Perhaps this mentality exists because of the simple nature of its food. Chef Nicola informed us that the cuisine at Bice largely hails from Northern Italy, with a few spicy smatterings from down south, meaning it may not be fancy in preparation, but it is undeniably delightful in execution. While Bice restaurants across the world do indeed follow a formula, and for that matter a high standard, it is up to the head chef to adapt and evolve the menu as he or she sees fit. Having only been in the Gulf region of the Middle East for about nine months, Chef Nicola is still studying the tastes of the public here. One of the most honestly joyous men in his profession that we have ever spoken with, Chef Nicola, we expect, will be able to discern a great amount of information from his guests, just as he has done in the past. He benefits from a great wealth of international experience, having trained and practiced in the culinary arts throughout his native Italy, where he worked in restaurants with one to two Michelin star ratings, before honing his professional interests in Germany and the United States. It is perhaps thanks to this unique history that he is clearly

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at ease both in front of the house speaking with patrons, in the back commanding his troops and in front of a dish making a few changes.

In fact, he is already injecting his international flair into the menu. “I’m still observing,” he says frankly and with his now almost ubiquitous grin, “but I have started to make some of my own changes, like adding ossobuco (a Milan dish with braised veal shank) and sardine bruschetta to the menu, and preparing dishes like hammour in new ways.” He also promises new and exciting things in Bice’s future, like special cowboy steaks and even game meat from the United States. An avid fan of duck and guineafowl, the chef is hoping to have these added to the expanding menu in due course as well. His changes also come in where he sources he meat. For example, he has started using lamb only from New Zealand, because, as he says, it is more tender and flavourful. He admits that produce is hard to come by in the Gulf, but having just heard about area farms, is making a concerted effort to buy his fruit and veg locally. An avid fan of eating (and even making) cheese, Chef Nicola is keen to find the ingredients for his beloved homemade mozzarella and ricotta here in town and is thinking of adding these items to the Bice menu. One of the nicest things about Bice is that it gives support to these fanciful creations. In fact, the president of the successful chain visited Doha recently and gladly told the chef to begin his changes. “I’ve been working for Bice for two years now,” he laughs, “so they trust me.” Having sampled his creations firsthand, we can understand why.

After tasting the lobster/pasta combo that Chef Nicola whipped up for us in the back that morning, we were compelled to frequent Bice again for dinner that night. My dinner guest and I began, as you do, with

the complimentary bread selection, all pieces of which were flavourful, particularly when dipped into our chosen starter: a wonderfully thick and sweet cream of pumpkin soup. Almost not needing to move on after such a rich and filling (not to mention delectable) appetiser, we sallied forth bravely into the mains, where we were tempted by signature meals, like the pappardelle al telefono (a fresh noodle dish with tomato and stringy mozzarella whose name comes from the hot cheese that stretches into long, telephone line-like strings) and the oven baked double lamb-chops and loin with potato rosi. Even though these sent palpitations pounding through my palate, I went for what the chef mentioned earlier in the day, the ossobucco. Veal shank can be overpowering at times, and while I was at first inundated with its telltale musty flavour, the cheesy risotto with which it was served quickly mellowed the entire dish into an admirable experience. My guest decided on the special of the day, the red snapper, which, even while slightly overcooked, didn’t suffer from lack of taste or presentation. Overall, our meal was pleasant, expertly presented by friendly servers and, while admittedly pricey, worth every dirham.

As we quaffed our coffee and set down our spoons, I ruminated over the entire day and have come to the firm conclusion that Bice is a Doha dining experience that should not be missed and in the hands of Chef Nicola, one that is only getting better. With all of the new things to try and the great additions afoot, one thing is for sure: Bice is anything but cliche.

To get another taste of what makes Bice brilliant, make a reservation tonight or join the team for brunch by calling (974) 727 1212 or email bicepearl@consultoverseas.com

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY Luc Frey @ www.lucfrey.com FASHION EDITOR Juliette Blondel @ Le Dressing www.julietteblondel.fr MODEL Sofie @ Women MAKE-UP AND HAIR Francis Ases pour Nars SPECIAL THANKS TO Grand Hotel Kempinsky - Geneva HUBLOT “All black bike” in carbon fibre and aluminium LACOSTE cotton overall shorts

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splash

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sur la terre beauty

Facing page LANCÔME Revitalizing Body Treatment Fragrance SISLEY Ecological Compound CHANEL BODY EXCELLENCE - Intensive Hydrating Milk Comfort and Firmness SHISHEIDO Replenishing Body Cream GUERLAIN SUPER AQUA-DAY Refreshing Cream Optimum Hydratation, Strenghthening

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This page BERTOLUCCI All black PVD “FORZA” stainless steel watchcase watch, 50 metres watertight, automatic Suisse movement, rubber bracelet CLARINS MEN-PARIS Ab Firming / Body Toning Gel L’HOMME YVES SAINT LAURENT Healthy Look Moisturizer SHISHEIDO MEN SKIN EMPOWERING CREAM Intensive Firming and Anti-Wrinkle

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inside Production: Juliette Blondel @ Le Dressing www.julietteblondel.fr Photographs by: Ian Abela @ Visionairs in Art www.ianabela.com Models: Sofie Nielander @ Women Paris Fmorent Sobzack @ Bananas Paris Make-up and Hair: Francis Ases pour Nars Special thanks to: Grand Hotel Kempinski, shooting made in the Geneva Suite, Europe’s largest suite - Geneva Silk dressing-gown ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA Silk scarf ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA “Very Zino Gent” Automatic Red Gold watch DAVIDOFF Steel ring THIERRY MUGLER Satin cummerbund CERRUTI

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Tulle and silk dress with pearls MAX MARA “Tank Solo” watch, limited edition CARTIER

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HER Jersey top and silk skirt ESCADA CRUISE Plastic belt SONIA RYKIEL Varnish leather stilettos WALTER STEIGER “Tank Solo” watch, limited edition CARTIER Earrings AGATHA HIM Cotton suit, cotton shirt, cotton gilet, rings THIERRY MUGLER Vintage silk scarf-tie HERMES

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Cotton shirt BLACK LABEL from RALPH LAUREN Silk and jersey suit jacket Z. ZEGNA Cotton trouser EMANUEL UNGARO Silk scarf-tie “Parallèles” HERMES Necklace and steel rings THIERRY MUGLER Leather shoes THIERRY MUGLER

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Silk jersey overall pants LEONARD Silk & leather belt LEONARD Varnish leather sandals BOSS ORANGE Sun glasses MARC BY MARC JACOBS “LA ROSE DE LA REINE” BRACELET with 84 Akoya pearls, an unique floral cameo decoration and diamonds BREGUET Long necklace “LA ROSE DE LA REINE” with 165 Akoya pearls,white gold brooch set with a unique floral cameo decoration and diamonds BREGUET On the floor: Transparent bag THIERRY MUGLER Trench coat in the wardrobe BURBERRY Shoes on the floor CHANEL Yellow jacket EMANUEL UNGARO

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HER Silk chiffon dress CHRISTIAN DIOR CRUISE Gabardine teddy DSQUARED2 Earrings K’MO HIM Print cotton shirt EMANUEL UNGARO Nylon jacket EMANUEL UNGARO Cotton trouser HUGO-HUGO BOSS

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Satin shirt and silk top KARL LAGERFELD Yellow Diamond necklace set with an amazing Oval-Shaped Fancy Yellow diamond of 31carats, surrounded with 8 Pear-Shape diamonds from E to H color for a total of 10.57. The necklace is set with 37 carats of mixed shaped diamonds BOGH-ART White gold bracelet set with 31.67 carats of Fancy Intense Yellow diamonds and 13 carats of white diamonds BOGH-ART

sur la terre design

Perfect Patios

When the weather finally begins to turn warm again, we spring for pools and outdoor parties as though we haven’t seen the sun in years. Here, we present to you the best and the boldest of outdoor furniture that will be sure to provide an instant cure to that cabin fever. >>> As technology improves, new materials make it possible for each person to express his or her individual style through interior decoration.

As a result, outdoor furniture is becoming more and more decorative, patterns and colours are bolder than ever before, and can now be made to look nearly identical to indoor furniture. This lead to the trends of creating “outdoor rooms” mirroring interior design, such as that of Serralunga, and using outdoor spaces as an extension of a home’s living space. Depending on the climate, it is possible to enjoy these luxurious spaces all year long.

For chillier months, fire pits, bowls and tables, such as the sleek minimalist fire table from Extrema, can help to warm things up.

The latest trends in outdoor furniture include bold colours and patterns such as those of Moroso’s Shadowy Chair, designed by Tord Boontje, but also encompass the polar opposite: the sleek simplicity of minimalist design. The chic chaise from Gandia Blasco exemplifies this new look with its gentle curve and stark white palette.

Outdoor furniture can be as beautiful as indoor furniture, but is made from sturdier, weather-resistant materials. Old standby materials such as wicker are still present, but there is a growing trend of using new materials or adding a twist to a classic. For instance, the Gandia Blasco chaise and Sifas’ Kokonut collection by Tous les Trois are both made from rotomoulded polyethylene, a material that is incredibly durable and also allows designers to let their imaginations run wild, as it can be formed into almost any shape imaginable, and in any colour. Another material that is gaining popularity is teak, a wood that is very low-maintenance and resistant to the elements. Rust-resistant and lacquered aluminium

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Restful Retreat Cabanne is an architecturally beautiful structure, blending comfort with nature and introducing luxury and style to the great outdoors.

This new design from Paola Lenti offers a peaceful oasis and provides an ideal spot for socialising.

Paola Lenti, Cabanne, www.paolalenti.com

are also on the rise, aluminium’s lightness making it extremely attractive, especially when looking for a more variable set-up. Georges Raimbaud’s Confetti Chair is a perfect example of the creative ways in which aluminium is being used today.

To maintain the bold colours of these stylish pieces, it is necessary that highly durable fabrics be used. Acrylic fabrics are becoming more common, because they will not fade and they dry very quickly. Another option for increased durability is a new technology for cushions that allows water to drip right through.

When shopping for outdoor furniture, the claim of variability, mobility and multi-functionality is practically ubiquitous. The Ripple Chair, designed by Ron Arad for Moroso, was designed to be stackable and highly mobile, and almost every piece of outdoor furniture on the market today is suitable for use both indoors and out. This makes it possible to literally extend an indoor design scheme right out onto the patio.

In discussing these outdoor spaces, we would be remiss if we did not mention the accessories and gadgets that are taking over the outdoor design world. Objects like the Solarballs from Design Idea, which are automatic solar-powered lights for the outdoors, join pieces such as the Bonheur Pole Lamp, which was designed by Michele de Lucchi and Alberto Nason for Serralunga. This lamp is a veritable doppelganger of an indoor floor lamp, perfectly encapsulating the idea of an outdoor room. These “rooms” are completed with indoor/outdoor rugs and a wealth of throw pillows. As for high tech additions, outdoor speaker systems abound for all tastes. For those who prefer a bit of mystery, music can drift from a nearby faux rock and those with a taste for minimalist chic are well represented in the current range of quality stereo systems for the outdoors.

Much has changed in the outdoor furniture arena, but the luxurious spirit of this inventive industry remains, presenting comfort and relaxation in a hip, stylish package.

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Light Lounger This fresh and whimsical design will make every day feel like a celebration. The chair’s lightweight aluminium construction allows you to put it wherever a touch of fun is needed.

Green Gleam These convenient, pint-sized lamps are powered by sunlight and turn on automatically at dusk, lending a soft glow to any outdoor space. This waterproof design is both imaginative and effective, made for efficient absorbtion of the sun’s rays.

Idea Label, Solar Ball Light, www.designmuseumshop.com

Cool Concrete Simplicity at its finest is displayed in Concreto’s latest design. The elegance and inclusiveness of the Cementum collection show a mastery of minimalism and the modular construction offers the utmost in personalisation for your outdoor space.

Viteo, Cementum Firetable, www.viteo.at

Rocking Respite This serene swing glides noiselessly through the air, allowing you to sit or lie down for hours in prefect peace. Ideal for a night of stargazing or a day of sunbathing, the backrest can be moved or removed for complete comfort.

Viteo, Swing, www.viteo.at

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Modern Memories Sweet, sensual, and reminiscent of the years gone by, the RE-TROUVÉ collection by Patricia Urquiola rediscovers a 1950’s aesthetic of elegant curls, re-imagined with modern technology and a touch of whimsy.

Emu, Re-Trouvé Collection, www.emu.it

Chic Chaise The aerodynamic design makes this sleek lounger cool and comfortable, its soft curve is reminiscent of a gentle wave. This streamlined lounger’s ultra-modern silhouette will add style to any space.

Gandia Blasco, 356 Sunlounger, www.gandiablasco.com

Stylish Seating Why settle for bringing merely the comfort of your living room outdoors when you can bring the whole room? Serralunga’s durable, light and versatile collection allows you to do just that.

Serralunga, One Loveseat, Palenquera Table, Bonheur Pole Lamp, www.serralunga.com Vibrant Vines This new plant-inspired design will transport you to the treetops of a faraway forest or perhaps remind you of a secret garden of your childhood. As soon as this clever chair from the Bouroullec brothers enters your space, imagination takes hold.

Vitra, Vegetal Chair, www.vitra.com

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Handy Haven When the sun heats up, we all long for a place in the shade. An innovation in flexibility, these broad umbrellas can be easily moved to keep you in the shade regardless of the sun’s position. The wall-mount system also allows you to live luxuriously, even in a small space.

Umbrosa, Paraflex Wall Umbrella, www.umbrosa.be

Romance Redeemed This bench seems to float on air while telling a love story of old. Just as Romeo & Juliet could not live with or without each other, these two trees are destined to be together without ever being able to touch. This innovative piece was designed by Stijn Goethals, Koen Baeyens & Basile Graux, with architecture by Vyvey & Partners.

Extremis, Romeo & Juliet Bench, www.extremis.be

Polished Peace Providing the perfect opportunity for feng shui, this modular flowerinspired collection can easily become whatever you envision. Add a style that is both unique and comfortable to your outdoor space, equipping it for anything from socializing to silent meditation.

B-alance, Fiore, www.b-alance.ch Rapturous Refuge This graceful armchair in woven metal with plush cushions welcomes you to lounge and enjoy. Spacious and chic, this original design is a good book’s best friend or simply the best place for two to bask in the sun.

Carlo Colombo for Emu, Intrecci Large Armchair, www.emu.it

Sally Sells…

Timeless and ergonomic, Jean-Marie Massaud’s cove of comfort provides the perfect perch from which to watch the sunset or sip lemonade on a hot summer day. These breezy, light shapes imitate nature and offer convenient, stackable comfort indoors or out.

Dedon, Seashell Collection, www.dedon.de

Sweet Sanctum Sink deep into this cosy nest for a nap or some lounging time, and if the sun gets too harsh, simply pull up the cover and swivel the chair.

This comfy retreat allows you to soak up just the right amount of sunshine at any time of day.

Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia, Canasta Circular Armchair, www.bebitalia.it

Souq Najd, Salwa Road, Doha, Qatar +974 431 1843 - +974 77 16 238

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sur la terre haute property

Yacht A Lot Of Money...

Vital Statistics:

• Length: • Maker: • Max Speed: • Price:

162m Blohm & Voss 26 knots US$350 million

A voyage by sea... some would say it is the luxury of a bygone age; a civilised way to travel. While in days gone by, the well heeled would dress for dinner with the captain of a five star cruise liner, the super rich of today enjoy a far more opulent sea faring experience. Sur la Terre takes to the waves to bring you the four most expensive mega-yachts on the planet.

Dubai

>>> With a price tag of US$350 million and her 162 metre length, this unique vessel offers everything the budding Captain Cook can desire of. Its elegant and timeless exterior designed by renowned yacht designer, Andrew Winch, is beaten only by its unique interior styling, designed by Platinum Yachts Dubai. A dramatic open glass staircase with three elevators serving all the decks connects a large number of guest suites - all of which sports an open balcony, VIP suites and the Owner’s Deck, which houses a large dining area and a variety of formal and informal saloons.

The exterior decks are pitted with a variety of pools and jacuzzis, while sunbathing areas, exterior dining areas and a squash court provide entertainment for those less inclined to go splashing about. A fully equipped swimming platform offers unlimited water-sports activities with a wide variety of equipment and toys. Speaking of toys, the megayacht also has a helipad and a small aircraft hangar aboard, just in case passengers get tired of the life aquatic and decide to head for the clouds instead.

The ship has quarters for a crew of 88, including the Captain, Chief Engineer and Doctor. The technical specification accounts for a state fo

the art centralised entertainment system that pipes music, video and TV into each of the onboard suites and communal living areas.

The Dubai may be the world’s second largest yacht after Eclipse, but is the world’s most expensive and now resides in the UAE under the ownership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of the Dubai and the Prime Minister of the UAE.

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Lady Moura

Another Blohm & Voss creation, Lady Moura is a 354-foot long superyacht built in 1991 by order of Saudi Prince, HH Nasser al-Rashid. To say that Lady Moura is impressive is like saying Claude Monet was a good painter. She towers over every other yacht in Monaco’s Port Hercule, where you’ll typically find her in the summer, and is kept in pristine condition. The giant yacht has seven decks. Tenders, anchors and such are all stored behind hydraulic doors so that the yacht has a clean hull.

Not much is known about the layout of the sea faring palace, and what is known is based on quay-side information. The top deck has an indoor swimming pool with a roof that slides open. There are even reports that it has its own private beach complete with sand on board!

Vital Statistics: • Length: • Year: • Builder: • Max Speed: • Price:

105.8m 1990 Blohm & Voss 20 knots US$210 million

The deck below the bridge deck is supposedly dedicated to the owner: aft of the central staircase a massive owner suite with a private balcony, while fore of the main staircase are the different apartments for the owner’s family. Nothing is known about her interior apart from the fact that it is opulent. Many reports say that she has a 59 ft dining table onboard, created by Viscount Linley, but like with all other things regarding Lady Moura, this has never been confirmed. Unlike most yachts, Lady Moura is used almost all the year round: she serves as permanent residence for the owner and his family. The yacht is usually found in Monaco or Palma and makes trips around the northern parts of the Mediterranean. The only times she has left the Med in recent years is to make trips to her builders in Germany.

This was necessary in 2007 when it ran aground at that year’s Cannes Film Festival, not the first time it has ran in to port trouble, reportedly garnering a few dings while entering the harbour of Monte Carlo.

As a final luxurious flourish that is well worth a mention, both the name and the escutcheon (emblem) that can be seen at port, starboard and at stern are all carved in solid 24-carat gold.

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Rising Sun

Designed by the late Jon Bannenberg, Rising Sun is considered one of his most cutting-edge yacht designs. The profile he created for Rising Sun, in mega yacht circles, is considered extraordinary. Built by Germany’s Lürssen, the yacht is currently co-owned by Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Corporation, and David Geffen. The yacht is the 6th largest in the world with a length of almost 138 metres. The five-story boat has 82 rooms and more than 24,000 square-feet of living space.

Highlights on the interior include onyx countertops, 9,900 square-foot of teak-layered decking and a basketball court that doubles as a helipad.

Passengers can also enjoy the luxury of jacuzzi bathrooms, a fully equipped gymnasium, spa and sauna, and a private cinema fitted with a giant plasma screen.

Built in extreme secrecy, no-one associated was allowed to impart information about the boat during its construction. Even Lürssen would only refer to her as LE120, her project name: “LE” for Larry Ellison, “120” for her original length in metres. Somewhere along the line, an extra 18 metres was added to the length of the hull, and while nobody associated would let the cat out of the bag, among yachting circles there was a lot of conjecture that Ellison wanted to ensure that his yacht would be larger than Microsoft number two, Paul Allen’s, Octopus which was also being built by Lürssen around the same time.

Vital Statistics: • Length: • Year: • Builder: • Max Speed: • Price:

138m 2004 Lürssen 28 knots US$200 million

sur la terre haute property

Vital Statistics: • Length: • Year: • Builder: • Max Speed: • Price:

Pelorus

The Germans continue to dominate, with Lürssen up again, this time with Russian Oil Billionaire, Roman Abramovich’s Pelorus. Designed

by Tim Heywood, the stunning vessel was launched in 2003 and was briefly owned by a Saudi businessman who sold it to the Chelsea Football Club owner the following year. Abramovich had it refitted to his own requirements by none other than Blohm & Voss. This included the addition of a second helicopter pad (because let’s be honest - one just isn’t enough), four new zero-speed stabilisers and modifications to the exhaust, mast and stern.

Sadly, details about the interiors are scant, as Abramovich is protective of his family’s privacy and highly security conscious (that would be

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115m 2003 Lürssen / refit by Blohm & Voss 19 knots US$130 million

why the boat is fitted with a missile detection system and former SAS operatives are among the 40-strong crew, then). However, it is fair to say that the necessary pools, jacuzzis, opulent living rooms, designer furniture and super-high tech entertainment systems are all in place, as is the gold leaf, diamond-studded toilet paper...

Up to eighteen lucky travellers can join Roman on board, while the VIP rooms are reserved just for him and his brood. Add to that the owner stateroom, which is a large and luxury apartment, and you have a floating lair worthy of any James Bond foe. The yacht has a number of tenders on board and a garage full of ‘toys’ including jet skis and wave runners as well as a mini submarine.

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< 59.40m, Camper & Nicholson / Benetti, best semi-travelling motoryacht 50/59 metres. >

Oceans of Opulence

Words: Vanja MĂŠgevand Pictures: all rights reserved Photographs WHY: ArteFactoryLab

Per annual tradition, the unmissable Monaco Yacht Show rolled into Port Hercules on the 23rd to the 26th of September last year. Once again, the professionals of luxury cruising, along with a private and wealthy clientele, were invited to discover the newest and most spectacular models of modern yachting, and the giants of pleasure cruising did not fail to impress.

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>>> The biggest manufacturers came to exhibit their most ravishing ships on the 9,000 square metre fair, and while it was a legitimate worry that this 19th edition of the Monaco Yacht Show would be heavily affected by the economic crisis, it was thankfully nothing of the sort. The latest Monaco Yacht Show undoubtedly owes its success to the status it enjoys as leader among the great pleasure cruising exhibition fairs in the world today, which allows it to win the trust of big industries and yacht owners.

This 19th edition, as is true with previous shows, was synonymous with luxury, exclusivity, and inventiveness.

Following the example of the ‘Designer Gallery,’ fans had the rare opportunity to admire some of the 100 superyachts that were officially awarded top honours this year during the ‘Boats International

< 73.53m, Nobiskrug / Burgess, best travelling motoryacht AMY Shipyard. This yacht was present at the MYS 2008 and won the GREEN STAR RINA/MYS prize of the 60/84 meters. >

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World Superyacht Awards’. Among these were the Ingot (46 metres, and more than 600 square metres of live-in space), the Siren and the Xanadu, respectively named as best semi-travelling motoryachts (60/80 metres and 50/59 metres).

< 46.56m, Burger, living space of 600m2. >

< WHY. View of the bow. >

In addition to these internationally-awarded superyachts, Port Hercules revealed a great number of exceptional new models. One of these has revolutionised the modern concept of a luxury yacht through its unique and contemporary shape. Born out of the brilliant partnership between Hermès, the Parisian luxury home, and the famous Monegasque naval constructor Wally, the ‘Wally Hermès Yacht, nicknamed WHY, suggests

sur la terre lifestyle

< WHY. View of the owner’s room (level 3). >

a radically new approach to luxury pleasure cruising. It is impossible to talk about WHY without an insight into the new and breathtaking ship, the project and shape of which are as sublime as they are unconventional. It has been two years since Pierre-Alexis Dumas, the artistic manager of Hermès, met with the president of Wally, Luca Bassani Antivari, for an interior accessorising project for one of his ships. It was the daring and creativity of the two men that drove them to create this extraordinary ship.

Offering an unprecedented living space in the water that combines performance and design, the proportions, shapes, volumes and materials do not cease to amaze.

As proof, the 58-metre-long and 38-metre-wide WHY offers its 12 passengers a living space of 3,400 square metres, an interior space bathed in natural light, thanks to patios, photovoltaic panels on the lateral bay windows of the hull and on the roof that open like Venetian blinds, a 25-metre swimming-pool that hugs the curve of the bow and a 36-metre beach stretching on the entire width of the stern. It is for these aspects that the vessel perfectly meets the WHY concept; that is to say, “The form equals the function.” The 900 square metres of photovoltaic panels provide most of the energy needed onboard, and the boat’s autonomy allows for four Atlantic crossings. To reduce the power consumption by 20 to 30 percent for the propulsion of the ship, the specific hull, the performance < WHY. View of the main salon. > of which is confirmed by the

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< WHY. View of the three-quarter stern, with beach and photovoltaic panels open onto the terraces. >

Norwegian constructor Ramform, has been selected for its exceptional stability and size and also requires less power for cruising speed (12 to 14 knots) than a boat of similar dimensions. Its diesel-electric motor is the most efficient ever and, designed to drastically reduce its energy consumption, it saves yearly at least 200 tons of diesel.

“WHY 58x38 looks quite singular but still keeps a human dimension,” said Pierre-Alexis Dumas, the artistic manager of Hermès. “Space is the greatest luxury in the water, and I believe that the new luxury consists in taking time to appreciate it.” It is a safe bet then, that this exceptionally gorgeous yacht will mark the history of luxury yachting forever.

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The Ethic Aesthetic of the Maldives

>>> It is difficult to write about the Maldives. This is not because there isn’t enough to say, but on the contrary, its inherent natural beauty speaks for itself in the multi-sensory barrage of its perfection. This small country, which is comprised of a collection of islands, 90 percent of the land mass of which is covered by sea, has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world today. And yet, even with the Maldives enjoying a vaunted position at the vanguard of vacation destinations, the country takes great pride in its nature and is currently establishing a happier, more sustainable middle ground between the incomparable luxury that shimmers in its lifestyle and the colourful life that heaves throughout its environs. The greatest architect of this new evolution is by far the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, which seamlessly bridges the divide between the otherwise wildly divergent world between environmental insurance and elegant indulgence.

Speaking of bridges, both metaphorical and literal, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island employs both. Spread as it is over two islands, a 500 metre bridge links together an impressive community of 50 luxurious Water Villas, 79 Beach Villas and 21 Spa Water Villas, the like of which are truly the masterstrokes in an otherwise rich tapestry of Maldivian magnificence.

Looking as though it has grown organically from the soil, the expanse of the resort lies in perfect harmony with its natural surroundings, whether it is on Rangalifinohlu Island or the “adults only” Rangali Island.

As impressive as the lodging is on both islands, it’s a safe bet that you will most probably not spend much time in your room thanks to all of the different offerings that this Conrad has to offer. The restaurants alone are worth the price of admission, from the Japanese-inspired KoKo grill to the Lounge Bar, which rests in the tranquility of the new “Quiet Zone”

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she answers your heartfelt proposal with, “don’t hold your breath.” Take THAT unrequited love!

on Rangali Island and calms even further with the stillness of its infinity pool. Probably the most amazing of these eateries is Ithaa, which, at 16 feet below sea level, has the honour of being the world’s first all-glass underwater restaurant.

Of course, the restaurant scene at the Conrad is not the only thing that can sweeten and spice your hunger for life. The leisure activities at the resort are second to none in terms of entertainment, adventure and even education. Living as we do in a global holistic spa culture, a significant amount of attention is paid here to health and fitness, particularly with the presence of two spas. Yoga, aerobics, Tai-Chi and wide range of

sporting activities, like tennis and specially organised “island boot camps”, are all available for guests. In fact, all of the classic activities are there, like all-day snorkeling safaris and watersports that range from catamaran sailing to wake barding, but the real difference lies in its special offerings.

The Lucky Dolphin Trip and big-game fishing are special highlights that shouldn’t be missed, although we wouldn’t suggest mixing the two; that’s just mean. A visit to the Conrad Maldives wouldn’t be complete without taking advantage of the extensive SubAqua dive centre, which hosts a litany of underwater excursions, such as a visit to the world famous Manta Point, going on a night dive or, for the daring, experiencing a shark dive. You can even take part in what the resort calls an “underwater renewal of love ceremony,” so that you can pithily dispute the spurning disavowal of your intended betrothed when he or

The possibility of impending nuptials aside, you are certain to fall into endless love with the beauty of the natural world that the Conrad puts at your fingertips. What makes that connection ever more powerful is the attention that the resort pays to preserving the atmosphere. Conrad partakes in many eco-friendly practices, not only by following carbonneutral governmental guidelines, using solar power to produce hot water and maintaining strict regulations for water conservation, but also by organising or participating in clean-up missions on the beaches and in the waters of the Maldives. The Green Specialty PADI courses at the resort include programmes like Naturalist, Coral Awareness and Project Aware, all of which are divested in educating guests while delighting them with the wonders of the deep, blue-green abyss. Of particular interest in the country is the wildlife that so vastly populates both land and sea, though the star of the show is one of the ocean’s most awe-inspiring creatures, everyone’s favourite mammoth submarine amigo: the whale shark.

A known resident of Maldivian waters, this gentle giant of the deep enjoys a “vulnerable species” status, and as such requires constant research and conservation for its own benefit. Working closely with

the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), which is working hard to establish and implement new governmental whale shark encounter guidelines, the Congrad Maldives Rangali Island resort is deeply invested in fostering a knowledgeable and compassionate community that is more integrated with nature. To that end, the resort provides sponsorship, funding and equipment to the MWSRP, including a research vessel, dive kit, food, fuel, maintenance and accommodation. In doing so, the resort takes a leading role in a number of areas, not only in supplying its community of lucky guests with unforgettable experiences in the lap of absolute luxury, but also in providing the natural world with the respect, admiration and protection that it needs. After all, the former can not last long at the expense of the latter. It is for these reasons that we recommend experiencing the ethic aesthetic that only the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort can provide.

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Executive Jet Setting

The Sur la Terre team always likes to travel in the lap of luxury, and as such we are constantly seeking out new and better ways to fly. In Qatar Executive, we think we may have finally found the pinnacle of corporate transport. >>> The one sure way to know that you have “made it” in the world of business is not by owning a million-riyal watch, showing off a gemfestooned fountain pen or having a fine collection of priceless jewels.

Nor is wealth defined, as certain bygone Disney-affiliated cartoons would suggest, by swimming in manmade lakes of (perhaps ill-gotten) golden coins. No, the true sign that you have cracked through the upper crust of the good life is instead evidenced by reaching a much higher level of elegance ... and we mean that literally. We are of course referring to customised luxury travel, best exemplified by booking your own corporate jet. Thankfully, this exclusive experience has now never been closer to home, thanks to Qatar Airways’ corporate jet subsidiary, Qatar Executive.

Of course, having a corporate jet at your fingertips isn’t just about proving you’re better than others (although admittedly it is a nice touch), it is also about being practical. These days, business takes place

in the flittering time-span of a fluttering wing, and there is no better way to “fly” through your busy day than to ... well ... FLY through your busy day. In the words of Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, who also presides over Qatar Executive, “Despite the current global economic climate, there remains a strong need for corporates to conduct face to face business meetings in the shortest possible time so travel is still important as is time management. Whether flying from Doha to Bahrain for a breakfast meeting and back, or continuing onwards to Dubai for lunch and further to Abu Dhabi for an early evening meeting before returning to Doha in time for dinner, the corporate jet makes all this possible with a hassle- free experience.”

Up until now, private travel within the Gulf has been extremely limited, but Qatar Executive is here to change all of that. Of course, even though the company is working hard and fast to meet the needs of an increasingly demanding public, it is not rushing into things without establishing a good foundation of technology, know-how and hospitality. Qatar Executive offers the next step beyond First Class with a bespoke service that is tailored to a passenger’s requirements and is completely flexible based on their needs. “We know that the Middle East is underserved in the corporate aircraft segment,” said Al Baker, “but utilising the Five Star

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service of Qatar Airways as a model to build a new corporate jet venture is, we believe, the right way forward to capitalise on this key market.”

The entire current fleet at Qatar Executive, which includes a collection of Bombardier Challenger aircraft in both the 300 and 605 models, is indeed dedicated to helping you navigate past nettlesome international travel in the most luxurious ways possible. Clients are able to book one of the jets in as little as four hours in advance and experience the highest in VIP pre-flight service, like having a crew take care of passport and customs concerns and arriving in your own personal limo. This is all thanks to the place of departure for customers travelling on Qatar Executive, as no longer will you be forced to wait in queues with the rest of the huddled masses; instead, guests are invited to depart from the incredible VIP lounge in Doha, which, if you haven’t seen yet, must be experienced for its robustly luxurious inner environs and services. Though it is difficult to look past the pre-flight perks, the actual onboard treatment received at Qatar Executive is bar-none the best that the heavens has to offer.

Set inside the planes are ample spaces wherein business meetings of the highest calibre and importance can be held in comfort and style.

The Bombardier Challenger 300, which is able to travel 5,740km at up to 870km per hour can reach points in Europe, Africa and Asia with ease, and is outfitted with eight of the finest leather seats, which recline into fully flat beds that make your journey unbelievably comfortable. The 605 model is similarly bedecked in brilliance, but has a seating capacity of 11 and can travel up to 7,400km, and is thus able to reach destinations that are even further afield. The onboard staff increases the already renowned name of Qatar Airways in general, as do the delectable dining options available to lucky clientele. Simply put, these business-bred Bombardiers offer the very best in accommodation for those corporate go-getters willing to go that extra mile high, and spend a few more riyal on what will undoubtedly prove to be a premium executive experience.

Of course, apart from business travel, Qatar Executive also offers the utmost in travel-related privacy and comfort for family and friends.

If you are already at the top of your game, then there is no better way to show it (and, honestly, show off) than being seen aboard any of the luxurious airliners available at Qatar Executive. The same is true for the hungry up-and-comers, because if you are ever going to make a name for yourself in the world of Qatar business, it’s better to aim high and at very least, look the part. Lords and ladies of the business-minded elite, your airship has come in with Qatar Executive. Get ready to fly the swanky skies!

To keep on top of the newest updates from Qatar Executive, visit their website at www.qatarexec.com or go to the main Qatar Airways site at www.qatarairways.com

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Wheely Good Ideas

After a muted showing in 2009, the Geneva Motor Show was back to its best this year with a plethora of new models, classic concepts and green machines. As the petrolheads steamed up the windows of Supercars from Aston to Zonda, Sur la Terre, picked a few best-in-show examples of what this year’s event had to offer.

Ferrari Green?

>>> Perhaps the most surprising of the big ticket press conferences was that of Ferrari, who ditched their famous red finish in favour of a green machine. The company unveiled a silent starting, electric hybrid Ferrari 599. Even if it had maintained the trademark Ferrari growl when the ignition key was turned, it would have been impossible to hear above the commotion of the stunned, but impressed, press corps. If you had any fears that Ferrari had gone soft and a new range of Prancing Horse-branded golf carts were on the way, fear not. The company claims that while this eco-friendly road warrior might be green, it will still cause envious eyes to turn your way as you streak past. Ferrari says that none of the Italian-bred performance is missing from the new hybrid, and that the two-seater will accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds - quicker than the standard version - and to 125mph in 10.4 seconds. The HY-KERS electric motor will output around 100 brake horsepower, and when the batteries run flat, the signature 6.0 litre V12 petrol motor will kick in with the ferocity we have all come to know and love. The car will also charge the battery itself, as the electric part of the hybrid system ‘captures’ energy that would otherwise be wasted from braking or slowing down, and uses it to recharge the worn out Lithium Ion power cells. However, owning a Ferrari while keeping your eco-conscience clean will not be cheap. Ferrari reckons the 599 would cost twice as much as the QR1.1 million petrol 559 GTB Fiorano on which it is based. By the time the technology has been ‘industrialised’ in four years’ time, however, the price should come down to below QR1.6 million.

Swede Demon

It barely seems like 15 years has passed since the Viking usurpers turned up on the shores of our Supercar Kingdom ready to pillage all and sundry with the Koenigsegg CC. Time seems to pass us by as quickly as one of these stunning Scandinavian cars. This thought prompted Koenigsegg to take an introspective look at itself, with the result being to unleash the Agera. Named after the Swedish verb “to act,” the Agera was well-chosen to symbolise the Koenigsegg philosophy.

The company’s motto is “from start to future,” and being the new boy on the block 15 years ago, it was always seeking challenges beyond limitations. The Agera stays true to the original philosophy, shape and size of the original CC, but, the company claims, it looks, feels and

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performs like something belonging to the future. Getting down to the real nitty gritty and past the press release, a new twin turbo means that power is now hiked to a Veyron-esque 910 horsepower from its 4.7 litre V8 engine and delivers a maximum 1100 Newton Metres (Nm) of torque at 5100 rpm while pushing an estimated 245mph top speed. If that doesn’t float your boat, then apart from the mechanics, the new Agera is a thing of Aesthetic beauty. Not only do the outward lines give the car the impression of movement when it is standing still, but the ethereal interior illumination, called Ghost light, uses invisible nanotubes to create a new, futuristic lighting method that delivers excellent visibility of the symbols. This also provides a very clean and stylish appearance, framed by an all-new carbon fibre centre console and tunnel assembly. Those that might be prematurely mourning the loss of Koenigseggs past shouldn’t worry. The Agera will be produced in parallel with the CCX and CCXR models, meaning that the Swede demon’s line-up is as all conquering as ever.

Once Bitten

If arachnophobia is a fear of Spyders, then we have been bitten by a serious case of arachnophilia. We love them up at Sur la Terre tower,

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especially those of a Germanic origin, and of the Porsche genus. Yes, the master racers have come up trumps in annexing the market in drop-top gorgeousness with their 918 Spyder, which took its introductory bow in Geneva. It is almost enough for us to forgive them for the ugly back end of the Panamera and reinstates our faith in the Porsche design team. This car is STUNNING, and possibly the prettiest hybrid we have ever seen. The trademark Porsche front end is still there, but has been slightly reworked and looks a much more aggressive beast than its predecessors, with huge flared nostrils and exaggerated front wings. The contour defining airscoops deliver cooling oxygen to the 3.4 litre V8 engine, which is combined with an electric powertrain to deliver 500 brake horsepower at 9,200rpm. This little German marvel accelerates from a standing start to 60mph in just 3.2 seconds and tops out at a respectable 198mph. The back end, which, if we’re honest, is all that most people will see of this tarmac eating terror, has taken a number of styling clues from the now legendary “car of the decade,” the Bugatti Veyron. The raised twin humps over the engine cover makes it look like something a Thunderbird would drive. This brings us nicely to the interior of this road-going rocket, which Porsche claims is the shape of things to come from the company, providing a glimpse into how future cars will look. The driver and passenger are not only embedded in contoured sports bucket seats but also form part of the cockpit, which provides a synthesis of functionality and ergonomic high-tech operation. The three free-standing circular dials for road speed, engine speed and energy management look like they have been ripped out of a 1960’s racing car, while the centre console rises up towards the front and houses a touch screen for intuitive control of the car’s functions.

The control units relevant to the driver are mainly concentrated on the three-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel, while the variable driving modes are supplemented by a switch enabling the driver to call up various drive programs. Instrument illumination, finally, varies from green for the consumption-oriented running modes to red for the performanceoriented driving programs. Inside and out, we are in love with this car and hope it makes it into production sooner rather than later. Porsche has been languishing on its laurels for a long time, but finally, the sleeping German giant has woken up and is ready to once again march proudly into the sports car fray. Porsche, Porsche Uber Alles, we say!

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sur la terre accessories

Room Service Production: Juliette Blondel @ Le Dressing www.julietteblondel.fr Photographs by: Ian Abela @ Visionairs in Art www.ianabela.com Models: Sofie Nielander @ Women Paris Make-up and Hair: Francis Ases pour Nars Special thanks to: Grand Hotel Kempinski, shooting made in the Geneva Suite, Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest suite - Geneva Satin sandals WALTER STEIGER Hand embroidered handbag, leather and sequins VICEDOMINI

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Trekking cow ties folder “Ties only” HERMES “H Ecossais” tie HERMES Orange “lucky tie” HERMES Blue and white silk tie EMANUEL UNGARO Sun glasses LACOSTE Suede shoes “Kipling” JOHN LOBB

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Stainless steel telephone “Constellation Ayxta” VERTU Rings from the right to the left Yellow gold, diamonds and corail “Gwendoline” ring DIOR Joaillerie Yellow gold, citrine and diamonds “Miss Dior” ring DIOR Joaillerie “Incroyables et Merveilleuses Salamandre” ring DIOR Joaillerie

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Leather sandals CASADEI

sur la terre in vogue

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And Spring arose on the garden fair, Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere; And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast, rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

Percy Bysshe Shelley, “The Sensitive Plant” Leave it to a guy named Percy to speak so eloquently about Spring! In all honesty, we agree with the husband of Frankenstein’s creator that there is just something about Spring that makes all other seasons pale in comparison. Oh sure, Winter is great for its crispier weather and Summer has its days spent languishing by the beach. Even Autumn has that dusk twilight tumble into sleepiness. But Spring? Ah, Spring is the kaleidoscopic catalyst of inspiration, the robust rebirth of creativity. Even in the desert that is Doha, things just seem more fresh and new during Spring; more vivid and brilliant. As there is a distinct lack of budding foliage in the Gulf, this is perhaps felt in no better man-maintained realm than in the world of fashion. The hibernating hues that lay comatose in styles in the half year prior to Spring finally combust in a dramatic blaze of sudden, piercing colour, transforming Doha’s patch of land into an in-vogue garden of du jour delights. The Spring/Summer 2010 season is no different in the way it paints its incredible picture of indulgent design. In the following pages, we explore five of the best that the sensational season has to offer through fashion, all of which are sure to put a Spring in your step.

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Chanel Ah, Karl Lagerfeld, can you do no wrong? Well ... okay, yes, occasionally, but here he is at his best. Rustic yet refined, the Chanel Spring 2010 Ready-toWear collection uses the softer palette of seasonal colour to draw out the grainy, earthy air of the one season where you want to drop everything and go for an all-day roll in the hay. The range of colour runs the gamut from beige to black, hitting as it does all points in between as each gets lost in the corn field maze of loose tweeds woven into alternatively downhome and royal-court suits, and in the lackadaisical nature of airy-fairy chiffon. There is something of a “country gal meets courtly queen” in parts of the collection, as they would look comfortable either on the farmer’s daughter or on the consort of a Maharaja royal.

Chanel runs you through your paces with this one, but the end effect is a fun day of sundresses and blouses that rains into a Spring night of glamour and guile.

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Reiss The entirety of the Reiss’Spring/ Summer 2010 menswear line can be summed up in one word, and that word speaks itself down the sides of its unstructured silhouettes and fine, yet distinctly non-uppity cuts. That word is, of course, “relaxed.” In the words of the big-ups at the quintessential UK brand, “this collection was conceived in the sun,” and you can see what they mean.

Colours like cherry and royal blue in the collection’s bavura shorts meet with subtle pinks and light blues, while the raspberry and blue of the Oxford blazers decant with the pastels in the slim Italian suits before finally colliding with melted chocolatey browns in navajo moccasins and washed leather boots. Highlighted with the mellowest peppering of ecru and whites, the entire look makes you just want to lounge back throughout the season and evaporate with the last trickle of movement motivation that the sun so devilishly saps.

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Carolina Herrera The new Women’s Spring/ Summer Collection from Carolina Herrera is quite possibly the most seasonally descriptive of those collected here. An explosion of red, green, blue, yellow, violet and fuchsia, the CH look is awash in bright colour, loud prints, tight cuts and sharp silhouettes.

And yet, the business of being structured in strong shoulders and forms is tempered with a downy softness in the collection’s casual party wear and the elegance of chiffon or silk dresses. Ruffles and overlapping fabrics meet on a smooth stage with formdefining feminine defiance, and all elements successfully come together to make this collection delicate in its pastel rebellion. Not being massive fans of CH in the past, we have to admit that we couldn’t love this Spring/Summer 2010 collection more.

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Christian Dior If you’re talking sheer timeless elegance, Christian Dior’s new Haute Couture Spring/ Summer 2010 is most certainly this season’s clear leader.

Based on the fashion styles of the last decade in the 19th century, or “naughty nineties” as it’s often called, the styles are built around tradition in riding jackets, halter-neck dresses and riding skirts. Dior manages to marry a classic feel in the colourful cuts and tailored fabrics, like red graine de poudre fuchsia wool satin, tricotine, cotton pique, but is brought into modernity with asymetrical cuts and a jagged edge of strong feminine power.

The other side of the fairer sex - grace - is rendered delicately through embroidered highlights of lace, ribbon and silk thread with layers of transparent tulle. It’s amazing how Dior saves these classic looks from being dated and instead succeeds in bringing them to the foreground of modern day glamour.

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Nina Ricci Peter Copping had a lot to prove when he was named head designer at Nina Ricci last year, and if it’s anything his debut collection shows, it’s that his placement was well deserved.

Flesh tones feature heavily alongside equally subtle pastels in apricot and lavender, contrasting, as they do, against blacks to create an overall look that is almost soft to the point of being fragile, if it weren’t strengthened by its own stonily structured resolve. Based on the refined sensibilities of the “coquettish Parisian woman,” there are many elements from the hidden softness usually found in the hushed world of underthings. Silk crepe, lace and tulle all sway together in playfully coy nonchalance as volume is brought in with tightly tailored fabrics that shift between being dense and almost imperceptibly light. Copping proves to be mindful of the brand’s heritage without being overly doting, and his inventive twists and accentuations are a sign of good things to come in Nina Ricci’s future.

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Driven to Succeed

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Pictures: AK BijuRaj from Doha Stadium Plus The top brass of Volkswagen Middle East, and local partner, Saad Buzwair Automotive, turned out in force at the Doha VW showroom to laud a local hero recently returned from his epic battle in the Dakar Rally - SLT favourite, Nasser Al Attiyah.

The gathering was to congratulate Al Attiyah on his second place podium finish in the gruelling race. As such, the six time FIA Middle East Champion and hometown hero was presented with the keys to a brand new Volkswagen Touareg V8, the 2010 luxury roadgoing version of the car in which he battled across continents in Dakar (though no doubt this one has a few less bumps).

The event also celebrated an historical first for the Red Bull Touareg team, as all three of their cars pulled in a grand slam finish, claiming 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the challenging 14-stage race. Not only is Nasser putting our little peninsular on the sporting map, but in the process he is doing his bit for charity too. It was revealed at the event that during the Dakar run through Chile, Al-Attiyah funded the building of not one, but 100, houses for the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homeless! He might have just missed out on the Dakar title, but that gesture, among his many other great qualities, is what will always make him a winner in our book!

Top left to bottom right: Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah showing off his Dakar award Saad Buzwair, Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, Stefan Mecha and Stefan Timmermann Nasser Saleh Al Attiyahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s VW rally car in action in Dakar Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and his new Volkswagen Touareg V8

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Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2010 Pictures: Brown Image Productions

That shimmering you saw near Doha’s West Bay last February wasn’t the glinting light of a fallen constellation, although we can understand how you could make that mistake.

In reality, the earth-bound heavenly delights that twinkled in Qatar last February were stars of another type, in this case taking the form of the stellar offerings on show at the 2010 Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition.

Hosted by the Qatar Tourism Authority at the Doha Exhibition Centre from February 16th - 21st, this year’s show garnered a massive retinue of local and international V.I.P.s. All of the big brands in the luxury lifestyle world were there, such as Bvlgari, Cartier, Parmigiani and Montblanc, just to name a few. Of course the big local names like Ali Bin Ali, Alfardan and Al Muftah were representing these and many others as guests were nearly blinded by the bling that resonated off of the most beautiful gems, jewels and timepieces the world has to offer.

Top left to bottom right: Fahad Alfardan, Ali Alfardan, Sheikh Hamed bin Faisal Al Thani, Hussein Alfardan, Omar Alfardan and Nabil Jahshan Pep Lozano and Lauren Fryer Dana and Noor Alfardan Soenke Tornieporth, Nabeel Ali bin Ali and Joe Nahhas

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A resounding success, as per usual, the 2010 Jewellery & Watches Exhibition stood tall above any financial turmoil and succeeded in scoring yet another shimmering showcase of scintillating style. We already canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait until next year!

Top left to bottom right: Mohamed Al Jaber surrounded by staff members Salman Abdul Rahim and Michele Ascione Nabeel Abdullah Al Zain Noor Alfardan, Fawaz Gruosi and Noor Fares

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Aces of the Base Line

Pictures: Will Hewitt & Melissa Schober In December’s Sur la Terre it was Love-all for the ladies of the Sony Ericsson women’s tennis tour, as they sauntered, smashed and scored their way across the courts of Qatar. As we bid farewell to 2009 and welcomed 2010, it was the men who started making a raquet at the Qatar Tennis Federation. In early January, Doha raised the nets for some of the leading lights in men’s tennis when the ExxonMobil Qatar Open tennis championship rolled into town. The event kicked off Doha’s 2010 sports calender in style, when, in a thrilling final match, World No.6, Nikolay Davydenko, defeated World No.2 seed, Rafael Nadal by two sets to one. Sur la Terre’s photographers were there to capture the action.

Top left to bottom right: Nikolay Davydenko is presented with spoils of victory The win took Davydenko’s total to 20 ATP titles Match point. Rafael Nadal prepares to serve

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Twice Davydenko had to fight back from the brink of defeat against the Spaniard, but took the last two sets 7-6 and 6-4 to clinch his 20th ATP World Tour title.

He also became only the second player to beat World No.1 Roger Federer (who Davydenko beat in the semi-finals) and Nadal in the same tournament on two different occasions, as he came out victorious against both opponents in December at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. To the victor, then, the spoils and to the loser; our hearty congratulations on a final worthy of the sport of gentlemen. However, Doha remains very much the winner, as we get to do it all again when the ladies come out to play in December!

Top left to bottom right: Nadal collects his runners up trophy Pomp and ceremony before the final Nikolay Davydenko fights back Rafael Nadal lines up a shot

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Sweden To The FORE !

Pictures: Will Hewitt If the epic finale of the ExxonMobil Qatar Open wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough to fill the appetite of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sports-crazy masses, three weeks later the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy swung into Doha. A weekend of pulsating golf took place at Doha Golf Club in West Bay, and while the temperature dropped, the competition heated up on the fairways. By the final day, the rather chilly temperatures had risen to classic Doha calidity as the crowd continued to cheer on their favourites during the final hours of the competition.

Top left to bottom right: Karlsson proudly displays the spoils of victory Karlsson collecting the Mother of Pear trophy Robert Dan Derksen watches on as Chris Wood lines up a putt

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However, thanks to a flawless final round of 65, it was former European No.1 Robert Karlsson who claimed the spoils, winning the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, by three shots over defending champion Alvaro Quiros. Three, it is sung, is a magic number, but seven is the mark of lady luck and it was a septuplet of birdies, in what was the best round of the week at Doha Golf Club, that brought the swinging Swede his tenth European Tour title, the famous Mother of Pearl trophy and a cheque for $416,660.

Top left to bottom right: Richard Green lines up a crucial putt Sergio Garcia tees off

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Magnificent Mulsanne

Pictures: Brown Image Productions This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Doha Jewellery and Watches exhibition had one major draw that was lacking in previous years. The most glittering jewel of them all, shining as a beacon to both stunning beauty, sparkling exclusivity and, as much as any Swiss watch, the finest engineering money can buy. We are, of course, talking about the Dana Motors stand, which brought an extra touch of class to the proceedings by showing off the latest jewel in its already opulent crown, the new Bentley Mulsanne. Its sleek, sporty yet stately - lines were competition enough for any Harry Winston, Van Cleef or Cartier piece, while its powerful and bold 6.7 litre twin turbo V8 offers as much in precision as any Ulysse Nardin, Rolex or Jaeger le Couture watch. The Mulsanne enjoyed its regional debut in midDecember when it was one of the highlights of the Dubai Motor Show and now the grandest of Grand Bentleys is about to hit the highways of Qatar.

Top to bottom: Hala Al Fayad, Shiela Dalumpines, Sheikh Abdulrahman Bin Ahmed Bin mohamad Al-Thani, Saher Baaj, Janice Hinson, Chris Buxton and Yousef Tarabih Saher Baaj meets His Excellency, Shiekh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani, Prime Minister and Foriegn Minister of Qatar The Bentley Mulsanne makes its Qatar debut

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Shutter Island

Ever since we heard that Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio would once again be teaming up to make another delicious cinematic sandwich, we immediately started to drool with anticipation. The product of this fourth union between the two, Shutter Island, is somewhat different than what we were expecting. Scorsese is well-known for psychological introspection of character, but never has it gone so deeply as it has here. Based on a 2003 novel by Dennis Lehane, Shutter Island tells the story of WWII veteran and US Marshall Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio), as he and his partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) are sent to a secluded mental institution to investigate the disappearance of a delusional and murderous patient. Little does Teddy know that the stormy, Dr. Moreau-esque Shutter Island holds twice as many secrets as it does inmates. As he looks not only for the missing patient, but also the murderer of his wife, Teddy finds out much more than he expects about the island, the nature of insanity and most importantly, himself. Beautiful in its thundering despair, much of the psychological thriller takes place in the addled dreamlike headspace of bittersweet discovery, a realm with which Scorsese uses his actors to paint in colourfully frightening poignancy. The thrills come in thickly layered, quasi-noir brushstrokes and are delivered in the quick-talking Hollywood style indicative of its 1950s setting; however, if you’re looking for shocking twists, look somewhere else.There are “surprise moments” at the end, but you can see where the film is going before it hits its inevitable crisis.

Fortunately, the film’s eye-openers aren’t as important as the “brain-openers” (literally and figuratively), all of which will deliver a crushing headache and a numb drive to watch it all over again.

National Lampoon’s European Vacation

Invictus

The rules of the Sports movie are set in stone.

They must involve one or all of the following criteria: A down on his luck player destined to make good when faced with his moment of truth; a team of misfits who struggle to get along, but gel together at the end; a vilified political activist who, after 27 years in prison, learns to forgive his racist oppressors and emerges from prison to galvanise an apartheid-ridden nation by inspiring the national team to World Cup glory from his newly acquired presidential office. That last one doesn’t sound quite right, does it? This, however, is the bare bones of Invictus, the latest directorial offering from Clint Eastwood.

The movie, based on the book of the same name by John Carlin, documents one of South Africa’s most historical periods; the release of Nelson Mandela from his incarceration on Robben Island, his rise to power and his use of the Springboks, the country’s rugby team, as a tool to heal the national rift between black and white. Eastwood does a fine job in his Hollywood treatment of the story surrounding the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Thanks to a great deal of input from one the main protagonists, namely Springbok captain, Francois Pienaar, Eastwood pretty much gets it perfectly. The film is as enjoyable for the common viewer, as it is for those with a vested rugby, political or historical interest. Matt Damon has to fill boots considerably larger than his own as the towering lock forward, Pienaar, while Morgan Freeman delivers a moving and convincing performance as Nelson Mandela. Invictus is not your run of the mill sports movie and it’s not a biopic; it is simply a snapshot of an extraordinary time, populated by extraordinary people who changed the face of a nation.

The words “American classic” get tossed around a lot these days, but only in a few instances do they actually mean something.

In the case of the seminal 1985 film National Lampoon’s European Vacation, their use could not be more appropriate. In fact, more accurate words could not be found to encapsulate the film’s historic significance and cinematic beauty. Is that over the top?

Perhaps so, but that doesn’t make it any less true. The sequel to National Lampoon’s Vacation, this cinematic gem once again follows the quintessentially 1980’s American Griswold family as they win a free trip to Europe from a popular TV game show.

Bumbling father Clark (the incomparable Chevy Chase) leads his wife Ellen and their two children, Audrey and the amazingly named Rusty, through international misadventure, including multiple car accidents in London, rude waiters in France, a lederhosen-frocked fight in Germany and a high-speed chase through the streets of Rome, all to great comedic effect. In the end, European Vacation is a feel-good movie that sums up everything so wonderfully camp about 1980’s America and Europe, with giggle-filled jibes poked in literally every single direction. If you’re looking for great classic comedy about travel, look no further than the Griswolds.

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sur la terre clicks

Bragster

First Person Tetris

The main page of www.firstpersontetris.com is oddly familiar. That’s because, apart from a much more modern TV, it looks very similar to the “entertainment wing” in our childhood basement, complete with greyish carpeting, fake potted plant and, of course, a Nintendo Entertainment System.

As the name of the site implies, the old Nintendo game that has been brought back from the past and onto your desktop is the classic puzzler, Tetris. Originally created by Russian programmer Alexey Pazhitnov for the innocent afternoons of 1984, Tetris has since given birth to many different variants, of which this site offers the newest and most dizzying ... in more ways than one. It essentially poses the now classic conundrum of fitting geometric blocks together in order to create and then eliminate rows to gain points, but in this iteration, it’s not just the block that flips around; it’s you! As you click the spacebar to manipulate that long bar you’ve been waiting for into the appropriate space, you take its perspective, causing an experience that is as addictive as it is nauseating. Just when you get the hang of it, the game speeds up and sends you all tizzy with some serious spins. We warn you that this version of Tetris can honestly give you a good case of vertigo if you’re not careful.

Then again, that’s the same thing our moms told us when we ate a bag of sugar and spun around in a chair for 30 minutes.

Sure it may be a touch disorientating, but oh what a ride!

If you have ever been dared or, even worse, double-dared to do something in your life, and then did it, then www.bragster.com is the website for you. Originally created in 2007 by investment banker Wim Vervaeve and young entrepreneur Bertrand Bodson for multimedia social networking, Bragster soon developed into a whole different kind of online animal.

Users of the site are invited to come up with any dare and present it to the massive online community at Bragster. From there, dauntless dare-takers are able to respond, via email, wall post or video to answer the dare. These dares range from the tame, like “I dare everyone to climb a tree,” to the decidedly more bold, such as “I dare everyone to eat an entire bottle of mustard.” Many of the dares are not for the faint of heart, so only the truly valiant need apply. Of course, it’s not just individuals who have utilised the site, as mega-brands like Adidas, Warner Bros and even MTV have gotten in on the act to virally market their wares. Other large-scale official dares/ publicity stunts from the Bragster team have included dumping huge sums of money out of a window in London, filling fountains with washing powder and convincing big groups of contributers to publicly dress up like idiots for an indiscriminate amount of time. Bragster has become such a phenomenon that it was recently bought by Guinness World Records in an effort to increase the recognition of both organisations. If you’re ready to test the limits of audacity and in the process overcome great shame, head over to Bragster and start making a name for yourself now. Go on, we dare ya!

Quintessentially Escape If it’s one thing we’ve learned while completing this issue, it’s that travel in this wide and wonderful world can take on many forms. From taking a relaxing little weekend jaunt to experiencing a fulloctane adventure thrill-ride, these days you can pretty much do it all. With that in mind, what do you do when even the most jolly journey gets weighed down in jaded boredom? Where do you turn when you’ve already turned every corner? You visit www.quintessentiallyescape.com, of course!

Founded in 2000 by Ben Elliot, Aaron Simpson and Paul Drummond, Quintessentially Escape offers exciting options when you’ve otherwise run dry. Feel like taking part in a GT Super Car Rally in Prague? QE will set it up. Have you ever wanted to ice dive in the arctic? They’re already gassing up the chopper. Fancy a bit of James Bond-esque, spy-rife shenanigans? Your debriefing begins at HQ after your specially arranged chauffeur picks you up from the airport.

Whether you want to arrange a luxurious romantic getaway through New York City or get cozy with a family of Gorillas in Africa, Quintessentially Escape can do it all through their amazingly detailed website.

The mind reels at the bevy of options on display, and even if they don’t have exactly what you’re after, they invite you to arrange your personalised haute holiday with them directly. Just when you thought the planet was too small and that everything has been done, Quintessentially Escape proves that luxury travel can still be out of this world.

sur la terre tunes

One Life Stand by Hot Chip

“Thieves in the Night,” the opening track of Hot Chip’s new album One Life Stand, starts with a haunting syntho-instrumental string reminiscent of Kubrik’s A Clockwork Orange. That may sound very “out there,” but then, so is Hot Chip, which makes the comparison oddly appropriate. Fortunately, that’s where the similarity between a fractured future dystopia and the Grammynominated Putney electropop quintet ends.

After a few seconds, the song cascades back into familiar Chip territory, with smooth masculine vocals masquerading in highpitched femininity and set to an everpresent undercurrent of 70s disco beats and powerful electronic thrumming. It’s clear here that Hot Chip is being a bit more experimental than in their other releases.

Our favourite track on the record would have been “I Feel Better,” which is semi-epic in its approach, but suffers under the weight of a downright shameful use of autotune.

On the other hand, the titular track, “One Life Stand,” has a great chorus, a strong beat and some unique ambient elements that stroke its spine into a heady electronic pulse. “Slush” is absolutely gorgeous, but almost completely ruined by an incessant undercurrent of “humina humina,” which is ridiculously puerile, even for Hot Chip. The inspired “Alley Cats” is our definite favourite in its chilled out and beautiful beat, creamy vocals and trippy guitar tickle. In the end, the good outweighs the bad in One Life Stand, and we’ll be keeping it as a valued addition to our pre-party / after-party mix.

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Escape by Journey

American VI: Ain’t No Grave by Johnny Cash

Chilling. Haunting. Really... REALLY good. These are but a few descriptors we would use when attempting to put into words what we think about Johnny Cash’s latest posthumous album, Ain’t No Grave. The sixth in Rick Rubin’s American Recordings series that effectively relaunched his career in the mid-90’s, Ain’t No Grave is, if you’ll pardon the unintended morbid pun, a skeletal approach to producing.

Each song is bone-tingling in its simplicity, relying on nothing more than a light music arrangement of a guitar, a violin or two and a banjo, and of course the dark, emotive rumble that is the unforgettable voice of the Man in Black. As one would expect, the chosen songs, which were recorded during the American V: A Hundred Highways recordings, are mostly about death, not in a sinister end of things, but rather a beginning, if not a continuation.

Our favourite track is the title song, “Ain’t No Grave (Gonna Hold This Body Down),” which paints in a proud, steady beat, a picture of a man walking boldly into a looming shadow of angelic death, fists clenched, chains dragging behind him. As they are all covers, Cash may not have written any of these songs, but as with the others in the American series, he makes them his own in his peerless performance. He has more lighthearted fare in classic cowboy songs like “Cool Water” and the oddly-chosen Hawaiian classic “Aloha Oe,” but the strength of this album is where it has always been: simple wisdom, guttural emotion and deep, dark beauty.

As you pop Journey’s best-selling album Escape, into your media player of choice, you are immediately hit with the iconic keyboard opening to “Don’t Stop Believin’,” probably the band’s most well-known song.

It is almost impossible to stop yourself from nodding along and then joining in (off-key, of course) as the vocals burst forth through the calm like a rogue laser cannon at a sold out stadium concert. It’s songs like this that make reviewing music worth it, even if said music is almost 30 years past its prime. As absolute classics rock on, like the up-tempo “Stone in Love,” the emotionally piercing mega-hit “Who’s Crying Now” and the pure adrenalised anthem “Escape,” we realised that this 1981 album by the mustachioed and mulleted San Francisco rockers is far better than about 90 percent of the modern albums we review.

Now, that’s either a telling insight into the state of the current music scene, or, and this is probably more likely, a statement about the nature of our musical maturity. Either way, it’s safe to say that Escape is a classic, which is why it launched Journey’s status into one of the most famous American rock legacies of all time. More well-known ballads on Escape, like “Open Arms,” still delight to this day, and make us want to throw on the closest pair of flared jeans and tease our hair out to infinity, all for the sheer joy of embracing mother rock! If you want to break from the confines of mundanity and go on a truly rockin’ Journey, there is no better getaway than Escape.

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sur la terre joysticks

Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360)

The long-awaited sequel to BioWare/ EA’s smash(mouth) 2007 hit, Mass Effect invaded stores earlier this year and has declared outright war on similar titles.

Not surprisingly, it is a mercantile conflict that ME2 is winning ... decisively. The game follows the outer-space exploits of Commander Shepard (whose appearance including sex - remains almost completely customisable) and his/her crack, yet motley squad of paramilitary commandoes as they travel amongst the stars within the (relative) safety of their ship, the revamped Normandy SR-2. In the original, the team survived a universal attack by a symbiotic race called the Geth and a host of universeconsuming creatures called Reapers. This time, the baddies come in the form of an insectoid race called the Collectors, and their dastardly plan to harvest humans for fun, profit and no doubt nefarious ends.

Don’t worry, we’re not going to spoil it for you, but the various endings, which are almost completely dependent on the midgame choices to the player, are well done and each of them is more than a little shocking. The gameplay and graphics of this addictive third-person action RPG are much more robust this time around, with a more dynamic camera, a much broader range of weaponry and a retooled levelling and item purchasing system. The class of characters system remains, as do most of the diverse alien races that make the game’s universe so rich, making this title as engrossing in its lore as it is in its playability.

Heavy Rain (PS3)

Heavy Rain is a video game like you have never before experienced. Designed and produced

by French development company Quantic Dream, it, more than any of its predecessors, seizes and tears the video game medium away from childish fancy and places it into a very adult world of thrilling realism. The plot involves the player taking control of one of four wildly different characters, each of whom may have a different background, different motivations, different careers and different associations, but are all looking for a murderous maniac known as The Origami Killer. Where it gets strange, and mind-blowingly cool, is in the fact that you cannot actually “fail” or “lose” in Heavy Rain.

The gameplay is based on seeing a visual trigger on the screen (a triangle symbol, for instance) and hitting the appropriate button on your PS3 controller. However, not having a good reaction time doesn’t mean you will face the dreaded “Game Over” screen, it just means that the story will evolve in a different manner. Sure, main characters can die, but the gamer can continue on unabated, but with different outcomes to the story. In fact, it is the story that is the most important element of this game, as it twists, turns and weaves itself depending on the near infinite choices, executions or mistakes made by the player. It may suffer from a slow start, but as you move along, it is as engrossing as it is insipidly intense. We guarantee that when (or if) you put down the controller, you will be left with a mind numbed with questions that no downpour can wash away, no matter how hard.

Oregon Trail

“You have died of dysentery.” Etched into a digital tombstone, these were the most dreaded words that faced you if you were brought up in North America during the 70’s and 80’s. This was not because there was a rash of dysentery outbreaks, but rather because of the phenomenally popular edutainment video game called The Oregon Trail. Created by the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium to teach children about the pioneer life, the responsibilities of travelling in a covered wagon and how best to effectively hunt for pixelated bison, Oregon Trail was an instant hit inside and outside of the classroom. We personally spent many an hour in musty, fan-whipped computer rooms furiously typing text commands in an effort to live through the fraught-filled trek of the trail. Peril was always around the corner, with dire consequences. Regardless of our dubious ability to maintain attention or “win,” Oregon Trail quickly became the symbol of an era of gaming. It has recently found renewed popularity via nostalgia as an application on modern venues such as Facebook and mobile phones, where its admittedly small amount of memory is more than easy to accommodate. If you want to truly experience the “excitement” of old-school computer-based travel, there aren’t many video games (archaic or modern) that sum up the glory that is The Oregon Trail.

sur la terre chapters

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

Worst Case by James Patterson

We’re not going to lie, the premise behind James Patterson’s newest book, Worst Case, is a bit terrifying, particularly for us. The surprisingly gripping thriller sees quickwitted Detective Michael Bennett and sultry FBI Abduction Specialist Emily Parker frantically chasing a brand new killer on the New York socialite scene. It appears that Detective Bennet’s growing rogues gallery are not as interested in gaining money as they are in making polite society question itself. By kidnapping the children of the city’s affluent population, the killer, whose previous passion of helping the poor fell on deaf ears, is deadset on teaching the vacuous and apathetic luxurious locals a diabolical lesson. As with all of Patterson’s books, this one is ACTUALLY written by someone else. In this case, Michael Ledwidge is able to mix the suspense of Bennet’s profession with his hectic personal life, which mostly concerns the care of his 10 foster children. The romantic and professional interplay between the two heroes comes quickly and cuttingly, as does their chase of this amazingly tragic villain. The reasoning behind and implementation of the villain’s nefarious plans are well structured, forcing the reader to indeed question the very “value” of wealth. Worst Case isn’t breaking any intellectual or authorial boundaries, but it is a cheap thrill that is more than worth a read.

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The Midnight House

by Alex Berenson

Torture is one of those buzzwords that has whipped up a media and humanitarian frenzy over the years, and rightfully so. Particularly over the past decade, where America has faced condemnation for its methods of imprisonment and “forceable information gathering techniques,” torture has become a very hot topic indeed. Thus is the impetus behind Alex Berenson’s newest novel, The Midnight House. CIA operative John Wells is again at the forefront, as Berenson tells a story about a secret US detention facility in Poland known as The Midnight House, and how its hushed whisper existence is being threatened by a string of murders of the House’s interrogation officials.

Wells, who has been called in to investigate, is immediately swept up in the frighteningly clandestine nature not only of the facility, but of the very government itself. Verging slightly in theme from his other novels, like The Faithful Spy and The Silent Man, Berenson employs his main character more surgically in The Midnight House. Not focused with foiling nuclear plots, this novel takes a more inward look at how far sovereign nations, let alone individuals, should be allowed to go in the pursuit of truth and justice. Like his others, though decidedly less action-packed, Berenson’s fourth novel remains a lightning-quick page turner that burns with alternating white-hot intensity and the slow ember of intrigue, and is definitely worth a read for the conspiratorial of heart.

If ever there was one iconic book written about travel, it would be Jules Vernes’ Around the World in 80 Days. Largely regarded as being one of the world’s best classic adventure novels, it was published and set in 1873, and follows the somewhat snooty Phileas Fogg as he takes a £20,000 bet from other elitist members of his London-based Reform Club that he cannot circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. This might seem like a laughable feat now, but in the latter half of the 19th century, when most travel was done by “novel” means of conveyance like boats and trains, it would not have been an easy wager. Armed only with a small carpet bag of essentials, a copy of Bradshaw’s Continental Railway Steam Transit and General Guide, the sometimes troublesome French valet, Passepartout, and a staggering drive to prove himself, Fogg sets out for one of literature’s greatest adventures. Escaping imprisonment from the tenacious Detective Fix (who mistakens Fogg for a bank robber), saving a love interest (Indian Parsi princess Aouda) from certain death, outrunning the Sioux indians in the States and contending with the harsh elements of man and nature are but a few obstacles in Fogg’s way, not to mention simply getting to his destination in time. We won’t ruin the ending, which feints first before finishing properly, but we’re certain that you, like so many others, will enjoy the epic journey that takes you there.

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sur la terre snapshot

Alexander McQueen 1969 - 2010 The fashion world was rocked in February by the tragic death of one of its leading lights, Alexander McQueen, CBE. A four-time winner of the British Designer of the Year award, McQueen’s creations were often edgy, always fantastical and loved by fashionistas the world over. As the tributes flowed in, Dolce & Gabbana proclaimed: “He leaves the fashion world with an unfillable void,” while Vogue editor, Alexandra Shulman, said: “At one level, he was a master of the fantastic, creating astounding fashion shows that mixed design, technology and performance, and on another he was a modern-day genius.”

The image above sums up Shulman’s comment perfectly. McQueen employed holographic display technology during his Autumn/Winter 2006-07 show in Paris. The hologram was used to visualise his stunning creations before they appeared on the runway ‘in the flesh’.

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sur la terre cultural agenda

THE AGENDAf the biggest A detailed directory o events and coolest activities in the region !

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2010

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sur la terre the agenda - Doha

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Night Riders MotoGP Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar April 9th - 11th, 2010

Famed for its fine specimens of the much revered Arabian horse, Qatar has always had an obsession with speed and power. In these more modern times, this obsession takes on a less organic form in shape of motorsport. Qatar has an abundance of outlets for this passion, be it drag racing, pounding the 4x4 across the dunes of Doha’s desert scenery or, more recently, Losail International Circuit where men in tight leather come to compete on what is affectionately known in some parts of the world as the “Iron Horse.”

Qatar is home to the region’s stage of the FIM MotoGP, which sees these two-wheeled terrors battling it out for honours on the sweeping 5,380 metre circuit. Losail and the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) recently won the prestigious ‘’Circuit of the Year” award, for being the best organised round of the 2008 FIM MotoGP series. While last year’s race was marred by torrential rain, it was by no means a damp squib, with the crowds turning out in force to see the victorious run by Ducati’s Casey Stoner, who made a good start from pole and then led

the entire race, pulling a comfortable gap over his opponents. The inimitable Italian, Valentino Rossi, despite suffering tyre problems, finished in second place - just seven seconds behind the Australian Stoner. Rossi’s teammate, Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, managed to haul his Yamaha over the line in third place after a compelling battle with eventual fourth placed rider, American Colin Edwards.

Now, for three days in April 2010, the night time skies above this critically acclaimed circuit will once again be lit up, as this year’s crop of riders brave the bends and speed the straights under lights in one of the MotoGP tour’s gruelling night races. With grandstand prices at US$30, Losail Club tickets at $415 and VIP Village entrance priced at $620, speed your way over to tickets@ circuitlosail.com to secure your seats now.

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sur la terre the agenda - Doha

Emir GCC Camels Race – Final April 1st - 30th, 2010

Many of us living here in the land of sand, who seek out truly extreme sports and other desert adventures, often fail to take advantage of experiencing some locally esteemed traditions.

Whatever are we talking about, you ask? We speak, of course, of the Emir GCC Camel Race Final. Held annually at Alshahaniya Race Track here in Doha, the competition is one with which to be reckoned.

Now that children no longer serve as jockeys, we can all delight in the even more peculiar and interesting lineup of Swiss designed robotic navigators. Aside from the 21st century use of robots, the sport truly does revive local traditions and heritage as spectators take pleasure in watching the surprisingly fast and agile animals race across the track. If you have never watched a camel race, let alone seen or come close to one of these desert dwellers, we suggest you get thee to the Alshahaniya Race track this year and see what all the grunting is about. To find out more, simply click your way through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website at www.mofa.gov.qa

Festival of the Senses May 1st - 31st, 2010

You may have heard of the Festival of Senses before, indeed you might have stumbled across it, or you have absolutely no clue what we’re talking about.

Either way, what sounds like it could be related to tantric yoga or getting in touch with your spiritual side, is in fact about getting in touch with your athletic, sporty side. The annual Festival of Senses is back to help you understand sports events through touch, taste, scent, and sight. If all that sounds both confusing and intriguing, we suggest you check it out. While your fingers will grip beguiling materials and surfaces, your taste buds will be tantalised with local tastes and flavours. As your nostrils take in whiffs of chlorine and grass, your optical senses will be exposed to gripping imagery and colourful silhouettes. Even if you don’t make it to the actual stands for each sensory experience, see that you at least drive along the Corniche to hear the sports sounds broadcast around the area. The festival will kick off in May, just in time for Spring, and will run daily from 12:00 noon until midnight. See that you make it down at some point during its run; we’re sure you’ll be exposed to a whole new way of experiencing the world around you.

sur la terre the agenda - Manama

Maz Jobrani: Live in Bahrain

Bahrain Human Rights International Film Festival

This April, international comedian Maz Jobrani takes to the stage of the Gulf Hotel Convention Centre for a night of raucous laughter. Part of the Axis of Evil comedy group that has gained notoriety throughout the region, the Iranianborn American’s past gigs include performances on Comedy Central, a number of television shows and various films, including The Interpreter and Dragonfly. His stop-off in Bahrain is part of the ‘Brown and Friendly’ tour, with all-new material making up the act – though there’ll be plenty of his typical style of comedy to have your sides aching!

Appearing alongside him are comedians Jeff Innocent and Alistair Barrie from the UK, homegrown Bahrain talent Imran Al Aradi and Ali Fingerz and Saudi Arabia’s Ibraheem Alkharallah, with DJ Outlaw providing music. Tickets start from BD20 and can be booked by calling +973 366 411 33, or emailing mazjobrani@smileksa.com

From its inception in 2008, the Bahrain Human Rights International Film Festival has proven itself as popular amongst both contributors and viewers alike. The festival was the first of its kind to be held in a GCC country, with submissions coming from all around the globe in the hopes of being selected by the committee to be screened in front of eager audiences. Following the previous years of great success, this year promises to be no less riveting with a variety of intense subjects currently being selected, such as Vote For Me by Don Edkins (pictured). Entry into the screenings is free, so keep an eye on www. bhriff.com to get the complete schedule of dates, times and locations for each film presentation.

All details will be released by mid-April.

April 8th, 2010

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May 1st - 28th, 2010

Bahrain Boat Show International April 20th - 24th, 2010

The time has come once again for the Bahrain Boat show, so get great to go down to the docks for a glamorous day out amongst some of the world’s finest water-bound vessels. From pleasure-cruisers up to super yachts (with sea trials for potential buyers), they’re all on display down at the Amwaj Marina for the Bahrain Boat Show International. Open up the gateway to experiencing water sports as well as boating and try your hand at some of the more leisurely pursuits such as fishing and sailing. Alternatively, if you like to put the “speed” in “speedboat,” get that adrenaline pumping with jet-skis and waterskiing, amongst other high-octane activities.

This year will also see some special vehicles that wouldn’t look out of place in a spy movie, like hovercrafts, personal submarines and even amphibious sports cars. Whether you’re already part of the waterfront lifestyle or looking to be introduced to it, this is the place to visit in order to get a taste of what marine culture is like, both in the past and present. To jump into

a world of maritime magnificence, sail over to www.bahrainboatshow.com

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sur la terre the agenda - Dubai

Al Saheel’s A Thousand And One Horse Tales

Rod Stewart: Live in Dubai!

Horses and equestrian endeavours are deeply ingrained in the collective psyche of the Arabian Gulf. Central to our region, they are celebrated and venerated during Al Saheel’s A Thousand And One Horse Tales where visitors delight in the tradition of story telling brought back to life.

Following a successful run last year, HoofbeatZ Entertainment is reviving its thriving Arabian gaucho show to bring a fun-filled evening to Emiratis and locals alike. Thirty cowboys put the forty-four horses through their paces as they perform stunts, skips and fire acts to wow the audience during the two-hour spectacle.

Performing stallions range from Andalusian

“Maggie May,” “Sailing,” “Baby Jane,” ... the list goes on and on when it comes to the staggering amount of hit singles that have poured forth from the lips of one of music’s all time greatest raspy-throated crooners, Mr. Rod Stewart. An unstoppable staple on the touring scene for almost his entire career, which has been going strong for over 40 years, the man once known as “Rod the Mod” is finally coming to the UAE. Set to break both records and hearts on May 7th at 7he Sevens Stadium, Rod will be leading a vocal charge with the timeless hits that made him the international icon he is today. Joined by his British brethren, the incomparably funktastic synthpop quintet, Spandau Ballet, Mr. Stewart’s first concert ever in Dubai is without doubt going to be one for the ages, and not an event that you have any business of missing! Tickets, which range in price from AED 350 to AED 750, depending on whether you want to have General Admission or the backstage “Golden Circle” treatment, and can be purchased on the event’s website at www.rodstewartdubai.com, or through any of the participating outlets listed therein. He may be a man of advanced years, but even a bout with cancer hasn’t been enough to dampen his immortal melody, infinite prowess and unquestionable appeal. Have we told you lately that we love him?

February 25th - May 28th, 2010

dressage horses and American Morgans to an array of glistening Arabian beauties. The show includes ponies and miniature horses as well as traditional horse whisperers to murmur sweet nothings into equine ears. Visitors can relax in the air-conditioned pavilion at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club located at the Arabian Ranches in Dubai while refreshments and culinary options are available at the clubhouse. As for finding out more, a behind the scenes tour is available for those looking to take a peek into set-up and execution of the exhilarating event. Looking to find out more or check on times and dates? Head on over to www.alsaheel.com

May 7th, 2010

sur la terre cultural agenda

REGIONAL HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND CAFÉS GUIDE ABU DHABI

HOTELS < Al Raha Beach Hotel Al Raha Corniche Tel: +971 2 508 0555 www.danathotelgroup.com 5 Star < Beach Rotana Hotel and Tower Tourist Club Area 2 Tel: +971 2 697 9000 www.rotana.com/property-4 5 Star < Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Sheikh Hamdan St. Tel: +971 2 621 0000 www.crowneplaza.com 5 Star < Emirates Palace Hotel Corniche Road Tel: +971 2 690 9000 www.emiratespalace.com 5 Star < Hilton Baynunah Corniche Road Tel: +971 2 632 7777 www.hilton.com 5 Star < Intercontinental 4171 Bainuna Street near Zayet Tel: +971 2 666 6888 www.ichotelsgroup.com 5 Star < Le Royal Meridien Khalifa Street Tel: +971 2 674 2020 www.Starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien 5 Star < Millenium Hotel Khalifa Street Tel: +971 2 614 6000 www.milleniumhotels.com/ae 5 Star < Oryx Hotel Corniche Road Tel: +971 2 681 0001 www.oryxhotel.ae 5 Star < Sands Hotel Electra Street Tel: +971 2 615 6666 5 Star < Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri 308th Road Tel: +971 2 509 8888 www.shangri-la.com 5 Star < Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort Corniche Road & Salam Street Tel: +971 2 677 3333 www.Starwoodhotels.com/sheraton 5 Star RESTAURANTS < Al Birkeh Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Tel: +971 2 644 6666 www.abudhabi.lemeridien.com Cuisine: Arabic < Al Fanar Le Royal Meridien Tel: +971 2 674 2020 Cuisine: International < Al Mawal Abu Dhabi Hilton Hotel, Al Khubeirah Tel: +971 2 681 1900

Cuisine: Arabian < Bam Bu! Marina & Yacht Club, Al Meena Tel: +971 2 645 6373 Cuisine: Chinese < Benihana Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers Tel: +971 2 644 3000 www.rotana.com Cuisine: Japanese < Flavours Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Corniche Rd East Tel: +971 2 677 3333 www.sheraton.com Cuisine: International < Fish Market Intercontinental Abu Dhabi Tel: +971 2 666 6888 Cuisine: Seafood < Il Palazzo Al Ain Palace Hotel Tel: +971 2 679 4777 www.alainpalacehotel.com/ restaurants.htm Cuisine: Italian < Marakesh Millenium Hotel Tel: +971 2 626 2700 Cuisine: Arabian < Palm Court Le Royal Meridien Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street Tel: +971 2 674 2020 www.lemeridien-abudhabi.com Cuisine: International < Peppino Intercontinental Hotel Al Markaziyah Tel: +971 2 626 2200 Cuisine: Italian < Riviera Marina Al Bateen Resort Tel: +971 2 665 0144 Cuisine: Italian < Shamyat Al Salam St, Markaziyah Tel: +971 2 671 2600 Cuisine: Arabian < Shuja Yacht Le Royal Meridien Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street Tel: +971 2 695 0539 www.lemeridien.com Cuisine: International < The Wok Crowne Plaza, Sheikh Hamdan St Tel: +971 2 621 0000 www.abu-dhabi.crowneplaza.com Cuisine: Asian < Zaitoun Danat Resort, Jebel Dhanna Al Ruwais Tel: +971 2 801 2222 Cuisine: Arabian cafés < Al Majlis Emirates Palace Hotel Tel: +971 2 690 7999 www.emiratespalace.com Café < Zyara Café Near Hilton Residence, Corniche Tel: +971 2 627 5006 Café

DOHA

Hotels < Al Sultan Beach Resort Al Khor Tel: +974 472 2666 www.alsultanbeachresort.com 5 Star < Four Seasons Al Corniche Street Tel: +974 494 8888 www.fourseasons.com/doha 5 Star < Grand Hyatt West Bay Area Tel: +974 448 1234 www.doha.grand.hyatt.com 5 Star < Grand Regency Near Sports R/A Al Sadd Tel: +974 434 3333 www.grand-regency.com 5 Star < Intercontinental West Bay Lagoon Tel: +974 484 4444 www.ichotelsgroup.com 5 Star < La Cigale Suhaim Bin Hamad Street Tel: +974 428 8888 www.lacigalehotel.com 5 Star < Marriott Ras Abu Aboud Street Tel: +974 429 8888 www.marriott.com 5 Star < Millennium Jawaan Street, Al Sadd Doha Marriott Tel: +974 424 7777 www.millenniumhotels.com 5 Star < Movenpick Tower & Suites West Bay Area Tel: +974 496 6600 www.moevenpick-hotels.com 5 Star < Ritz Carlton West Bay Area Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com 5 Star < Sharq Village Spa Ras Abu Aboud Tel: +974 425 6666 www.sharqvillage.com 5 Star < Sheraton Al Corniche Street Tel: +974 485 4444 www.sheraton-doha.com 5 Star < W Hotel West Bay Area Tel: +974 499 6530 whotels.com\doha 5 Star Restaurants < Al Borj The Diplomatic Club Tel: +974 484 7444 www.thediplomaticclub.com Cuisine: Pool Snacks & A La Carte

< Al Buhayra Al Sultan Beach Resort Tel: +974 472 2666 www.alsultanbeachresort.com Cuisine: International < Admiral Club Ritz Carlton Hotel Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: International < Al Dana Sharq Village and Spa Tel: +974 425 6666 www.sharqvillage.com Cuisine: International < Al Dente Seafood Al Sultan Beach Resort Tel: +974 472 2666 www.alsultanbeachresort.com Cuisine: Seafood with Italian < Al Ghazal Sheraton Hotel Tel: +974 485 4444 www.sheraton-doha.com Cuisine: Arabian < Al Liwan Sharq Village and Spa Tel: +974 425 6666 www.sharqvillage.com Cuisine: Arabian and Persian < Asia Live!

Marriot Hotel Tel: +974 429 8888 www.marriott.com Cuisine: Asian < Bistro Bistro Ramada Plaza Tel: +974 428 1428 www.ramadaplazadoha.com Cuisine: European < Bombay Balti Ramada Plaza Tel: +974 428 1428 www.ramadaplazadoha.com Cuisine: Indian < Brasserie on the Beach Four Seasons Hotel Tel: +974 494 8888 www.fourseasons.com/doha Cuisine: Italian < Chopsticks Grand Regency Hotel Tel: +974 434 3333 www.grand-regency.com Cuisine: International < Fauchon Salwa Road Tel: +974 432 4888 www.fauchon.com Cuisine: French < Fish Market Intercontinental Hotel Tel: +974 484 4444 www.ichotelsgroup.com Cuisine: Seafood < Flamingos Ritz Carlton Hotel Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: International < Grand Gourmet Grand Regency Hotel Tel: +974 434 3333 www.grand-regency.com Cuisine: Contemporary Global

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sur la terre mode

< Greens Ramada Plaza Tel: +974 428 1428 www.ramadaplazadoha.com Cuisine: Vegetarian < Il Teatro Four Seasons Hotel Tel: +974 494 8888 www.fourseasons.com/doha Cuisine: Italian < JW’s Steakhouse Marriot Hotel Tel: +974 429 8888 www.marriott.com Cuisine: Steakhouse < La Cigale Traiteur La Cigale Hotel Tel: +974 428 8888 www.lacigalehotel.com Cuisine: International < La Mer Ritz Carlton Hotel Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: French < La Veranda Sheraton Hotel Tel: +974 485 4444 www.sheraton-doha.com Cuisine: Italian < Laffan Sheraton Hotel Tel: +974 485 4444 www.sheraton-doha.com Cuisine: International < Layali & Neo Salwa Road Tel: +974 431 0005 www.alayanqatar.com Cuisine: Arabian < Le Central La Cigale Hotel Tel: +974 428 8888 www.lacigalehotel.com Cuisine: International < Le Cigalon La Cigale Hotel Tel: +974 428 8888 www.lacigalehotel.com Cuisine: Modern Mediterranean < Le Gourmet Al Sadd and Old Souq Tel: +974 436 1789 www.legourmetrestaurant.com Cuisine: Arabian & French < Le Grill The Diplomatic Club Tel: +974 484 7444 www.thediplomaticclub.com Cuisine: International < Le Notre Salwa Road Tel: +974 455 2111 www.lenotre.fr Cuisine: International < Lina’s Salwa Road, Tel: +974 436 5488 Cuisine: French < Pier 12 Ramada Plaza Tel: +974 428 1428 www.ramadaplazadoha.com Cuisine: Seafood < Pool Grill Four Seasons Hotel Tel: +974 494 8888 www.fourseasons.com/doha Cuisine: International

< Porcini Ritz Carlton Hotel Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: Italian < Privates Cove Sheraton Hotel Tel: +974 485 4444 www.sheraton-doha.com Cuisine: Seafood’s and Barbeque < Ruby Wu’s Ramada Plaza Tel: +974 428 1428 www.ramadaplazadoha.com Cuisine: Chinese < Sakura Ramada Plaza Tel: +974 428 1428 www.ramadaplazadoha.com Cuisine: Japanese < Seasons Movenpick Hotel Tel: +974 429 1111 www.moevenpick-hotels.com Cuisine: International < Shisha Diwan Ritz Carlton Hotel Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: International < The Lobby Marriot Hotel Tel: +974 429 8888 www.marriott.com Cuisine: International < Za Moda Intercontinental Hotel Tel: +974 484 4444 www.ichotelsgroup.com Cuisine: Italian Cafés < Alkut Lounge Grand Regency Hotel Tel: +974 434 3333 www.grand-regency.com Café and Pastries < Atrium Millennium Hotel Tel: +974 424 7777 www.millenniumhotels.com Café and Pastries < Atrium Lounge Sheraton Hotel Tel: +974 485 4444 Café < Café Batteel Salwa Road Tel: +974 444 1414 Café < Cafe Ceramic The Mall Tel: +974 467 1100 www.cafe-ceramique.com Café < Lime Café Movenpick Tower and Suites Tel: +974 496 6600 www.moevenpick-hotels.com Café < Ristretto Villaggio Mall Tel: +974 450 7208 Café < Silver Cafe Al Sadd Tel: +974 413 1773 www.nbks.com Café

DUBAI

Hotels < Al Murooj Rotana Hotel And Suites Al Saffa Street, Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 705 4277 www.rotana.com 5 Star < Al Qasr Madinat Resort Jumeirah Intersection Al Sufouh Road Tel: +971 4 366 8888 www.jumeirah.com 5 Star < Arabian Court Al Soufoh Road, ,In Front Of Media City Tel: +971 4 399 9999 www.arabiancourtyard.com 5 Star < Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Beach area Tel: +971 4 301 7777 www.jumeirah.com 7 Star < Coral Deira Al Muraqqabat Street Deira Tel: +971 4 224 8587 www.coral-international.com/deira 5 Star < Crown Plaza Hotel Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan Road Tel: +971 4 701 2222 www.crowneplaza.com 5 Star < Dhow Palace Kuwait Street Bur Dubai Tel: +971 4 359 9992 www.dhowpalacedubai.com 5 Star < Dubai Creek Hilton Beniyas Road Tel: +971 4 227 1111 www1.hilton.com 5 Star < Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa Jumierah Beach Road Tel: +971 4 346 1111 www.dxbmarine.com 5 Star < Dusit Dubai 133 Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 343 3333 www.dusit.com 5 Star < Grand Hyatt Al Qutaeyat Road Tel: +971 4 317 1234 www.dubai.grand.hyatt.com 5 Star < Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa Al Sufouh Road, The Dubai Marina Tel: +971 4 399 5000 www.grandjumeirah.habtoorhotels.com 5 Star < Hyatt Regency Dubai Deira Tel: +971 4 209 1234 www.dubai.regency.hyatt.com 5 Star < Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Next to Endurance Village Tel: +971 4 809 6100 www.jumeirah.com 5 Star < Jumeirah Beach Club Jumeirah Beach Road Tel: +971 4 348 0000 www.jumeirah.com 5 Star

< Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha Tel: +971 4 341 0000 www.kempinski-dubai.com 5 Star < Le Meridien Dubai Airport Road Dubai Tel: +971 4 217 0000 www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien 5 Star < Mina A Salam Madinat Jumeirah Jumeirah Road Tel: +971 4 366 8888 www.jumeirah.com 5 Star < Moevenpick Hotel Bur Dubai 19th Street Opposite American Hospital Tel: +971 4 336 6000 www.moevenpick-hotels.com 5 Star < Palace At One And Only Royal Mirage Al Sufouh Road, Almina Siyah Tel: +971 4 399 9999 www.oneandonlyresorts.com 5 Star < Park Hyatt Adjacent to Dubai Creek Tel: +971 4 602 1234 www.dubai.park.hyatt.com 5 Star < Ras Al Khaimah Hilton Al Muntaser Road Tel: +971 7 228 8888 www1.hilton.com 5 Star < Renaissance Dubai Salah Al Din Street, Deira Tel: +971 4 262 5555 www.marriott.com 5 Star < Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers Baniyas Street Tel: +971 4 228 1111 www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton 5 Star < Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort & Towers Al Sufouh Road Tel: +971 4 399 5533 www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton 5 Star < Taj Palace Dubai Dubai Creek north bank Deira Tel: +971 4 223 2222 www.tajhotels.com 5 Star < The Fairmont Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 332 5555 www.fairmont.com/Dubai 5 Star < The Ritz-Carlton Jumeirah Beach Tel: +971 4 399 4000 www.ritzcarlton.com 5 Star Restaurants < Antique Bazaar Four Points Sheraton, Bur Dubai Tel: +971 4 397 7444 www.fourpoints.com Cuisine: Indian < Asado The Palace Hotel, (Sofitel), Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 428 7888 www.sofitel.com Cuisine: Argentinean Grill

sur la terre mode < Bistro Madelain Intercontinental Dubai Festival City Tel: +971 4 701 1128 www.intercontinental.com/dubai Cuisine: French < Cactus Cantina Rydges Plaza Dubai, Satwa Tel: +971 4 398 2274 www.cactuscantinadubai.com Cuisine: Latin < Chinese Treasure Oud Metha, Dubai Tel: +971 4 336 3525 Cuisine: Chinese < Choices Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Garhoud Tel: +971 4 282 0000 www.rotana.com Cuisine: International < Dias Le Meridien Dubai, Garhoud Tel: +971 4 283 2832 Cuisine: Greek < Exchange Grill Fairmont Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 311 5999 www.fairmont.com Cuisine: Intenational < Hunters Room & Grill The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, The Dubai Marina Tel: +971 4 399 3333 Cuisine: Contemporary < Jambase Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Tel: +971 4 366 8888 www.madinatjumeirah.com Cuisine: American < Malecon Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa, Jumeirah Tel: +971 4 346 1111 www.dxbmarine.com Cuisine: Cuban < Mango Tree The Palace Hotel, (Sofitel) Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 426 7313 www.sofitel.com Cuisine: Thai < Nezesaussi Al Manzil Hotel, Burj Dubai Boulevard Off Doha Street Tel: +971 4 428 5888 Cuisine: Australian / Bar Food < Sapphire Lounge Century Village, Garhoud Tel: +971 4 286 8520 www.thesapphiredubai.com Cuisine: Thai < Shahjahan Metropolitan Hotel Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 343 0000 Cuisine: India < Spice Emporium Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, The Dubai Marina Tel: +971 4 399 4141 Cuisine: Asian < Teatro Towers Rotana Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 343 8000 www.rotana.com Cuisine: International

< Trader Vic’s Crowne Plaza Dubai Tel: +971 4 331 1111 www.ichotelsgroup,com Cuisine: International

MANAMA

Hotels < Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort Sakhir Tel: +973 17 845 000 www.banyantree.com 5 star < Crowne Plaza Bahrain Manama Tel: +973 17 531 122 www.cp-bahrain.com 5 star < Gulf Hotel Adliya Tel: +973 17 713 000 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com 5 star < InterContinental Regency Hotel Manama Tel: +973 17 227 777 www.interconti.com/manama 5 star < Mövenpick Hotel Muharraq Tel: +973 17 460 000 www.movenpick-bahrain.com 5 star < Sheraton Bahrain Manama Tel: +973 17 533 533 www.sheraton.com/bahrain 5 star < The Diplomat Radisson SAS Manama Tel: +973 17 531 666 www.manama.radissonsas.com 5 star < The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Seef District Tel: +973 17 580 000 www.ritzcarlton.com 5 star Restaurants < Al Arisha Um Al Hassam Tel: +973 17 725 414 Cuisine: Lebanese < Al Berdaouni Intercontinental Regency Hotel Tel: +973 17 227 777 www.interconti.com/manama Cuisine: Lebanese < Al Fanar Superr Club Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel Tel: +973 17 531 666 www.manama.radissonsas.com Cuisine: Arabian < Al Raouché Sheraton Bahrain Hotel Tel: +973 17 533 533 www.sheraton.com/bahrain Cuisine: Moroccan < Al Waha Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 713 000 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: International < Brazil!

Adliya Tel: +973 17 826 686 Cuisine: Brazilian

< China Garden Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 746 423 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: Chinese < Fire of Brazil Seef Mall Tel: +973 17 583 776 www.fireofbrazil.com Cuisine: Brazilian < Fish Market Al Bander Hotel & Resort Tel: +973 17 701 201 Cuisine: Seafood < Fusions Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 746 427 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: International < Golestan Sheraton Bahrain Hotel Tel: +973 17 533 533 www.sheraton.com/bahrain Cuisine: Iranian < La Fontaine La Fontaine for Contemporary Art Tel: +973 17 230 123 www.lafontaineartcentre.com Cuisine: French < La Mosaique Crowne Plaza Bahrain Tel: +973 17 531 122 Cuisine: International < La Pergola Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 713 000 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: Italian < La Perle Novotel Al Dana Resort Tel: +973 17 298 008 Cuisine: Seafood < Le Bistro InterContinental Regency Hotel Tel: +973 17 227 777 www.interconti.com/manama Cuisine: International < Mirai Adliya Tel: +973 17 713 113 www.mirai-restaurant.com Cuisine: Japanese < Mondo Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel Tel: +973 17 531 666 www.manama.radissonsas.com Cuisine: Italian < Nirvana The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Tel: +973 17 580 000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: Indian < Olivo’s Brasserie Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel Tel: +973 17 531 666 www.manama.radissonsas.com Cuisine: International < Plums The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Tel: +973 17 580 000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: Steakhouse < Primavera The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Tel: +973 17 580 000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: European < Rimal Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort

7

Tel: +973 17 845 000 www.banyantree.com Cuisine: International < Saffron Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort Tel: +973 17 845 000 www.banyantree.com Cuisine: Thai and Asian < Sato Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 746 429 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: Japanese < Soie Sheraton Bahrain Hotel Tel: +973 17 533 533 www.sheraton.com/bahrain Cuisine: Chinese < Silk Mövenpick Hotel Tel: +973 17 460 000 www.movenpick-bahrain.com Cuisine: International < Takht-e-Jamsheed Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 746 431 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: Exotic Persian < Tamarind Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort Tel: +973 17 845 000 www.banyantree.com Cuisine: International < The Meat Co. Mövenpick Hotel Tel: +973 17 460 000 www.movenpick-bahrain.com Cuisine: Steakhouse < Versailles Intercontinental Regency Hotel Tel: +973 17 227 777 www.interconti.com/manama Cuisine: French < Zahle Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 746 417 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: Lebanese Cafés < Al Andalus Lounge Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 713 000 Café < Al Nour Lounge Al A’ali Complex Tel: +973 17 227 777 Café < Café Lilou Adliya Tel: +973 17 714 440 Café < Camille’s Sidewalk Café Diplomatic Area Tel: +973 17 533 808 Café < Casa Blu Adliya Tel: +973 17 710 424 Café < Overlook Café The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Tel: +973 17 810 180 Café < The Atrium Café Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 713 000 Café

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sur la terre mode

LOCAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES DOHA < Al Saheel HoofbeatZ Pavilion at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club Arabian Ranches, Dubai Tel: +971 50 181 0401 / +971 4330 6266 alsaheel@hoofbeatz.com www.alsaheel.com < AMG Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles Tel: +974 469 9665 qac@nbks.com www.mercedes-benz.com.qa < Artisans of Leisure 18 East 16th Street (between Fifth Avenue and Union Square West) Suite 301 New York, NY 10003 Tel: +1 800 214 8144 info@artisansofleisure.com www.artisansofleisure.com < Bahrain Boatshow International Knotika Holding (Operations Manager) Tel: +971 4303 9777 rami@knotika.com www.bahrainboatshow.com < Bahrain Human Rights International Film Festival PO Box 21737 Manama, Bahrain Tel: +973 39 423 421 www.bhriff.com < Bentley Dana Motors Al Sadd Street Tel: +974 444 5112 www.alahmadgroup.com < Bice The Pearl Parcel 1 - Fanar Croisette Tel: +974 495 3876 bice@consultoverseas.com < BMW Alfardan Towers Al Funduq St., West Bay Tel: +974 447 7577 www.alfardan.com.qa < Canon Salam Studio & Stores Tel: +974 483 2050 ph@salams.com www.canon-me.com < Carolina Herrera Zai Al Waab City Salwa Road Tel: +974 425 6156 zai-sharq@prime-nbk.com www.nbks.com <Chanel 51 East Al Maha Center Tel: +974 425 7777 info@51east.com.qa www.chanel.com

<Coccinelle Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 413 4761 www.cocinelle.it <Dana Motors Al Sadd Street Tel: +974 444 5112 www.alahmadgroup.com <De Beers Salam plaza 63 Maysaloun Street No.860 Tel: + 974 448 5555 info@salams.com www.debeers.com <Devon GTX info@devonmotorworks.com www.devonmotorworks.com <Dior Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 413 4665 www.dior.com <Doha Golf Club West Bay Tel: +974 496 0712/5 salespr@dohagolfclub.com www.qatar-masters.com <Dunhill Ali Bin Ali Watches & Jewellery Sadd Street Tel: +974 442 9900 www.dunhill.com <Ferrari Alfardan Sports Motors Co. S.O.C. Porto Arabia, The Pearl Tel: +974 4322 577 sportmotor@alfardan.com.qa www.ferrari.com <Gucci Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 413 4612 www.gucci.com <Hermes The Pearl Porto Arabia Tel: +974 601 1892 www.hermes.com <Icon Aircraft 12511 Beatrice St Los Angeles, CA 90066 Tel: +424 201 3505 sales@iconaircraft.com www.iconaircraft.com <Jaguar Alfardan Premier Motors Al Sadd Street Tel: +974 447 7566 www.jaguar.com <Jaidah Chevrolet Main Showroom B- Ring Road, Jaidah Flyover Tel: +974 446 6860 chevroletsales@jaidah.com.qa www.jaidah.com.qa

<Koenigsegg Koenigsegg Automotive AB Jebel Ali Free Zone JAFZA Bld. No. 6 - Dubai Tel: +971 4 881 0301 andreas@koenigsegg.se www.koenigsegg.com <Lamborghini Dana Motors Al Sadd Street Tel: +974 444 5112 www.alahmadgroup.com <Longchamp www.longchamp.com <Louis Vuitton Villaggio Mall Tel: +974 413 4931 www.louisvuitton.com <Marc Jacobs Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 413 4767 www.marcjacobs.com <Maze Restaurant The Pearl Tel: +974 717 1212 www.gordonramsay.com <Montblanc Ali Bin Ali Watches & Jewellery Sadd Street Tel: +974 442 9900 www.montblanc.com <Museum of Islamic Art Al Corniche Tel: +974 422 4444 www.mia.org.qa <Nina Ricci - ZAI Al Waab City Salwa Road Tel: +974 425 6156 zai-sharq@prime-nbk.com <Officine Panerai Ali Bin Ali Watches & Jewellery Al Sadd street, Royal plaza Tel: +974 413 1391 Luxury.marketing@alibinali.com www.alibinali.com www.panerai.com <One Porto Arabia Alfardan Properties Tel: +974 440 8408 www.alfardanproperties.com <Qatar Airways Qatar Airways Tower Tel: +974 449 6000 www.qatarairways.com <Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation Salwa Road Zone 24, Bldg. 59 Tel: +974 437 9884 info@qmmf.com www.qmmf.com <Qatar Marine Sports Federation Tel: +974 443 9421 info@qmsf.org.qa www.qmsf.org

<Qatar Tennis Federation Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex Al Majilis Taawon Street, Al Dafna Tel: +974 324 4485 info@qatartennis.org www.qatartennis.org <Range Rover Alfardan Auto Al Sadd Street Tel: +974 447 7566 landroverafa@alfardan.com.qa www.landrover.com/meast/en <REISS Landmark Mall Tel: +974 4868 361 www.reiss.co.uk <Ritz Carlton West Bay Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com <Rod Stewart LIVE! 7he Sevens Stadium Tel: +971 4 433 4911 info@aegliveme.com www.rodstewartdubai.com <Rolls Royce Alfardan Towers Al Funduq St., West Bay Tel: +974 447 7577 www.alfardan.com.qa <Tom Ford Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 460 0945 www.tomford.com <Toujouri Four Seasons Falcon Tower Al Corniche Tel: +974 441 17331 lama@toujouri.com www.toujouri.com <Villaggio Mall Tel: +974 413 5222 info@villaggioqatar.com www.villaggioqatar.com <Virgin Megastore Villaggio Mall Tel: +974 413 5823 / 5824 www.virgin.com <Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar Al Luqta Street Education City Tel: +974 492 7200 www.qatar.vcu.edu <W Hotel & Residences West Bay, across from City Centre Mall Tel: +974 453 5353 www.whotels.com/doha <Watch and Jewellery Exhibition Qatar Tourism and Exhibitions Authority Tel: +974 499 7499 www.dohajewels.com