Ocean View Issue 10

OCEAN VIEW Interiors, Lifestyle, Food, Sailing, Cruising and so much more...

Issue 10 Volume 1 2014

It’s Time To Enjoy An Ocean View

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FREE

HADES OF WIGHT

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO ORDER YOUR 2014 BROCHURE

If you thought the Isle of Wight was just for sunny summer holidays, think again, come abroad and explore an island for all seasons.

Miles of countryside walks and sandy beaches, with coastal paths leading down to sheltered secret bays, and cosy waterside inns with live music. Travel through time and discover Roman villas, quaint Victorian towns, and enjoy a day at Queen Victoria’s palace by the sea. With festivals to suit all tastes, from Red Hot Chilli Peppers to Garlic, and special events like the Electric Woods and the Festival of the Sea, the Isle of Wight offers many different experiences just four miles off the south coast of England.

This year, find time to escape and explore the many shades of Wight.

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Begin your adventure here

www.visitisleofwight.co.uk

Welcome

Spring is springing at last, and naturally, our thoughts are turning to the great outdoors. Now that there’s crisp sunshine streaming through the office windows - a sharp relief from the rain pounding down on them that’s been the soundtrack to the last few months at Ocean View HQ - we can’t wait to wrap up and get back onto the big wide world.

Most of us are here and there on the idea of walking tours... quite often more ‘there’ than here if your map reading skills are anything like mine! We’d love to do it, but we don’t know where to start, and the fear of getting lost is just enough to put us off. Fortunately, then, we’ve found a handy new way to navigate, with the benefits of a guided tour but the freedom to walk when and where you want to. Intrigued? Read about it, and our top walking routes, on page 28.

There’s a real treat for wildlife this issue, as the RSPB have very kindly allowed us a glimpse into the brightly coloured world of puffins, which you can read from page 6.

We try to choose eye catching destinations to talk about in every issue - not least because we appreciate looking at the pictures! - but it’s rare to find a holiday spot as diversely beautiful as India. We’ll forgive you if you find yourself distracted by jewel coloured pools and gleaming gold temples and don’t read the words too closely: it’s been an absolute pleasure having this issue’s articles up on the office walls.

Of course, we’ve got our usual blend of shopping, travel and more local ideas as well as exotic destinations. Whether you’re jet setting off or homeward bound, do make the most of the spring sunshine and enjoy your Ocean View.

India, page 14

Laura Knight Editor OCEAN VIEW 3

ISSUE 10, Volume 1 2014

Contents

OCEAN VIEW Interiors, Lifestyle, Food, Sailing, Cruising and so much more...

Issue 10 Volume 1 2014

FREE

It’S tIme to enjoy An oCeAn VIew

OCEAN VIEW 3

Cover Image: St Helena Island

Ocean View Magazine Managing Director/Publisher: Lee Mansfield lee@lifemediagroup.co.uk Commercial Director: Simon Skinner simon@lifemediagroup.co.uk Operations Director Clare Fermor clare@lifemediagroup.co.uk Media Director/Advertising Sales: Linda Grace linda@lifemediagroup.co.uk Editor: Laura Knight laura@lifemediagroup.co.uk Design: Harriet Weston harriet@lifemediagroup.co.uk Accounts: Amelia Wellings: amelia@lifemediagroup.co.uk Subscriptions: subs@lifemediagroup.co.uk Published by: LMG SE LTD Park View House 19 The Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3YD 01323 411601 Printed by: Gemini Press Unit A1 Dolphin Way, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 6NZ 01273 464884 All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in Ocean View Magazine do not necessarily represent the view of Life Media Group LTD. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers of Ocean View Magazine assume no reponsibilty for any damage, loss or injury arising from the participation in any offers, competitions or advertisment contained within Ocean View Magazine. All prices featured in Ocean View Magazine are correct at the time of going to press.

Copyright Life Media Group 2014 Š

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RSPB: Get a closer look at this fantastic bird with the RSPB sporlight on Puffins Spending It: All the gear you need to be more prepared than a boy scout India: Explores the jewels of legendary India Recipes: Never tried Syrian cuisine? We show you how, at home Walking/Hiking: Put the guide books down and try out a new way to navigate City Breaks: Join Ocean View and CruiseCritic on a whistlestop tour of Italy. What can you pack into your weekend?

Antarctica: Ocean View explores the Expedition of a Lifetime in the Antarcitca Competiton: Get your hands on the latest biOrb Air

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RSPB

Picture Perfect

Get a closer look at this fantastic bird with the RSPB spotlight on Puffins

RSPB Spotlight: Puffins, Published by Bloomsbury Natural History, £9.99 www.rspb.org.uk

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Chapter 1 Meet the Puffins If you ask someone to name any British seabird, or indeed any British bird at all, the chances are that ‘Puffin’ will be among the first names to spring to their lips.

The Puffin is one of our best-loved and best-known birds, amounting almost to a national treasure. It adorns children’s story books, has graced postage stamps and is the photogenic pin-up bird of magazines – so much so that over the years it has featured on the front cover of the RSPB’s magazine more often than any other species.

As a family, seabirds in general are a sober-looking bunch, but the Puffin brings a touch of the exotic to our shores. With its garish striped beak, wistful eyes and orange feet, it is the charismatic clown of the seabird world, while its rolling upright gait and dapper dinner-suit plumage invite comparison with penguins and no doubt also with the whimsy in ourselves.

For whatever reason, the Puffin strikes a unique chord with us. It is this empathy that continues to make it by far the biggest

star attraction for visitors to seabird islands and reserves around our coasts. So popular and iconic is the Puffin that for many it has become a touchstone for the health of our seas; if Puffins are doing well, perhaps all is well with our coastal waters. On the other hand, if the Puffin is in trouble, our alarm bells cannot help but ring more loudly than if the victim were, say, a gull or a Common Guillemot. In order to gain insight into the state of ‘puffindom’ and its place in the marine environment, however, we need first to lay bare the daily life of the Puffin and explore how it is adapted to spend most of the year offshore in the storm-tossed ocean and the rest of its existence onshore in the social whirl of a colony.

The Puffin’s Cousins Puffins belong to the family of 22 species of seabird known as auks, a group of compact, pigeon-sized birds thriving on a diet of small fish and crustaceans, which are chased underwater and caught by the birds.

Though they undertake extensive seasonal migrations, Puffins and indeed all their

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fellow auks are confined to the northern hemisphere, where they fill the same niche in the marine environment as penguins do in the southern hemisphere.

Global distribution apart, penguins differ from Puffins and other auks in one other key respect – they are all flightless, whereas all auks can fly. The only exception to this is the Great Auk, which paid the ultimate price for its flightlessness by making itself an easy target for man. The magnificent Great Auk was hunted to extinction in the 19th century, the last known British individual having been killed on the remote island of St Kilda in 1840. Four years later the last two known survivors of the species met the same fate on Iceland.

There are four species of puffin, three of which live in the North Pacific, but the species that is found in the UK and continental Europe, and the smallest of the four, is confined to a broad swathe of ocean straddling the North Atlantic from New England (USA) in the west to Novaya Zemlya (Russia) in the east, numbering in total an estimated 20 million individuals. To distinguish it from its Pacific relatives, our Puffin is formally known as the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica), but for simplicity in this book we mostly just call it the Puffin.

The names of the three Pacific puffin species all reflect their dramatic facial decoration in the breeding season. The Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) most closely resembles our Atlantic Puffin, but it has a largely yellow bill and a small fleshy ‘horn’ projecting above each of its eyes. The Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) is the largest of the four, with a massive orange bill, long, straw-coloured plumes sweeping back from its crown and a blackish body. Lastly, and least Puffin-like of all, the Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) is so-called due to the pale, horn-like knob sticking up from the base of its upper bill, but this puffin lacks the spade-like conical bill of the other three species and also has much drabber, sooty-brown plumage.

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RSPB

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For more information, and to find your nearest Visionary stockist visit www.opticalhardware.co.uk/stockists All models and offers are subject to availability. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice/ E&O.E. Your statutory rights are not effected

RSPB

RSPB Reserves

If this book has inspired you to grab a pair of binoculars and a packed lunch and head for the coast, here are some top spots in the UK to view the magnificent puffin and much, much more....

Bempton Cliffs-England A family favourite, and easily the best place in England to see, hear and smell seabirds!

More than 200,000 birds (from April to August) make the cliffs seem alive – with adults bringing food to their nests, or young chicks making their first faltering flights.

Beginners can easily learn the difference between gannets, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars. The easily recognisable puffins (here between April and July) are always a delight. You can watch 200,000 seabirds live on CCTV through the breeding season from March to October.

Or set sail on a Puffin and Gannet Seabird Cruise from May-July to get the best view of the lovable seabirds, booking essential.

Opening times The reserve is open at all times. From March to October, the visitor centre is open daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm, and from November to February, 9.30 am to 4 pm.

Entrance charges Entry is free of charge to members all year.

There’s a charge for non-members of £5 per car, minibus £8 and coach £10.

Rathlin Island- Northern Ireland Rathlin Island, lying off Antrim’s Causeway Coast, has a rare, untamed beauty.

The wildlife is evident before you step ashore – the ferry crossing presents many opportunities to spot auks, gannets and gulls with even a chance of porpoises or dolphins.

Seals and eider ducks laze around the harbour at most times of the year. At the Centre, get close up views of Northern Ireland’s biggest seabird colony with puffins and other seabirds jostling for space as they congregate in their thousands to breed from May to July.

Opening times 10 am to 4 pm daily from April to the end of August.

Entrance charges Free, but donations to continue conservation work here are welcome.

Fowlsheugh- Scotland The spectacular cliffs at Fowlsheugh are packed with 130,000 breeding seabirds in the spring and summer, including guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes.

Enjoy the comical antics of puffins in spring and early summer from the viewing points on the cliffs. Watch the adults returning from fishing forays at sea with sandeels hanging from their colourful beaks.

Finally, look out for grey seals, dolphins

and minke whales but take care on the cliff walks!

Opening times Open at all times.

Entrance charges Free, but donations to continue conservation work here are welcome.

South Stack Cliffs- Wales Enjoy a close-up view onto a wonderful cliff-side nesting colony, with binoculars and telescopes provided. You’ll be able to watch guillemots, razorbills and puffins all raising their young. Rare choughs can also be seen on the reserve. In spring and summer, the heathland becomes a riot of colour. Look closely and you may see a basking adder, while out to sea there may be porpoises and dolphins.

Opening times The RSPB reserve is open all year-round.

The Visitor Centre, with shop and cafe, is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily (except Christmas Day), and Ellin’s Tower Seabird Centre is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Easter to September.

Entrance charges Free, but donations to continue conservation work here are welcome. www.rspb.org.uk/reserves OCEAN VIEW 11

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The Great Outdoors

All the gear you need to be more prepared than a boy scout

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SPENDING IT

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1. Berghaus, Hydrodown™ Jacket, £350 www.berghaus.com 2. MisFit Shine, £99, www.johnlewis.com, 3. Thorn & Field Boots, £185, www.thornandfield.com, 4. Leki Walking Poles, £145, www.leki.com 5. Asolo, Outlaw GV (Womens), £130.00, www.asolo.com 6. Liberty Bottleworks Reusable Bottle, £18.00, www.greentulip.co.uk 7. Teko Midweight Hiking Socks, £14.95, www.tekosocks.co.uk 8. Wilderness 35L Rucksac, £29, www. woolworths.co.uk 9. Suunto Core Alu Deep Watch, £320, www.suunto.com 10. Zuuk Lightweight trainer shoe, £34.99, www.hi-tec.co.uk 11. Fjallraven No. 21 Backpack, £120, www.urbanetraveller.com 12. LED Head Torch, £43.99, www.ledlenser-store.co.uk 13. Craghoppers Kiwi Pro Trousers, £50, www.craghoppers.com 14. Victorinox D of E Pocket Tool, £24.99, www.gooutdoors.co.uk 15. Salomon Quest 4D gtx boots, £149.99, www.ellis-brigham.com 16. Multi-Tool Utility iPhone Case, £29.99, www.amazon.com

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Indian Promise Explores the jewels of legendary India

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india

I

ndia provides the curious traveller with a sensory feast like no other.

Its huge physical and geographical diversity combines with a dazzling variety of cultures and influences to create a destination that is as challenging as it is beautiful, as luxurious as it is intriguing and one which could – and does – provide an entirely different experience for each individual visitor.

India and its 1.2 billion-strong population are immensely passionate about so many areas of life, which manifests in India’s vivid colours and loud cities. Be it the beauty of mysticism, the enthusiasm for film, faith or politics, India approaches wholeheartedly… every element will be more than you are expecting at each turn.

Few places offer “something for everyone” the way India can: from tropical beach paradises to dense forests where macaques cavort overhead and elephants can be spotted through the trees; to complex, lively cities and staggering desertscapes dotted with legendary forts and historic tea plantations that cling to the foothills of some of the world’s highest mountains. Every element of India is intense, dazzling… unforgettable.

It’s amazing to think that, less than 60 years ago, New Delhi was still the pride of late colonial British India, while the lanes of Old Delhi still bustled with ancient trade.

Today, the city combines both worlds into a sprawling modernised mass with bars, malls and restaurants served by its modern metro system spreading out in all directions. Old Delhi is a vistors’ must-see, dating back to 1638 and still dominated by the impressive sight of the Red Fort (Lal Qila) and Jama Masjid. The red sandstone fort was built to resemble the fort at Agra but containing grand opulent marble palaces, which are said to have cost 10 million Indian Rupees to build. The magnificent Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India.

For tradition’s sake and to best take in the sights, sounds and smells of the ancient city and its dense network of narrow alleys and tightly packed markets, there can be OCEAN VIEW 17

india

the eastern wall and can be seen from the no better way to travel than by bicycle street outside. This pink sandstone icon is rickshaw.

Jaipur’s most famous building, and was built The sandstone ‘pink city’ of Jaipur stands for the ladies of the harem in 1799. as the shimmering gateway to the state Jantar Mantar, Jai Singh’s fascinating of Rajasthan. Dotted with world-famous observatory is nearby, and all the bazars, landmarks, the city itself was founded palaces and havelis of the old city are worth in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II , based seeing, so take on a grid of your time to nine squares “Although you can never be explore and representing the guaranteed a glimpse of a tiger outside wander on foot. ancient Hindu Would you map of the of a zoo, you are as close to that promise like to visit universe, with as you will ever be in Rajasthan’s the Pool of the sacred Mount Ranthambore National Park” the Nectar of Meru occupying Immortality? the central Many do, square. M to because Amritsar is named after the sacred allow the hill fort of Nahargarh (Tiger Fort) pool in the Golden Temple, the holiest of to overlook and protect the capital, the city all Sikh sites. The city itself is busy and took four years to build. congested, so the temple itself shines out Occupying approximately a seventh of like an oasis, particularly at dawn when the the entire city, The City Palace complex sits water begins to shimmer with reflected gold. at the centre of Jaipur and houses numerous It radiates the exact peace and sanctity that it palaces and museums behind its imposing was designed for, perhaps moreso now than walls. The ‘Palace of the Winds’, is set into 18 OCEAN VIEW

the architects could possibly have imagined.

The temple has been sacred to the Sikhs since the 1570s, the time of the fourth guru, Guru Ram Das. He heard that a cripple had been miraculously cured while bathing in the pool here. A later guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1581-1601) built more upon the site, enlarging the pool, creating the temple at its centre and installing the Adi Granth, Sikhism‘s holy text, as the focus of devotion and teaching. Much later, in the 19th century, under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the temple acquired its very literal name of The Golden Temple when its roof and exterior were covered in gold.

Although you can never be guaranteed a glimpse of a tiger outside of a zoo, you are as close to that promise as you will ever be in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park, especially if you are there for a few days.

Located in the east of the state, it is one of the finest tiger reserves in all of India. Once the private tiger reserve of the Maharajah of Jaipur, the sanctuary has been under the Project Tiger scheme in 1972 following the government Wildlife Protection Act. At this time, villages within the park were ‘resettled’ into the surrounding area, leaving only a scattering of people now living within the park’s boundaries.

The early bird really does catch the worm in this case, as tiger sightings are recorded almost daily, usually in the early morning.

The best time to go tiger spotting is between November to April, just as the sun is rising.

As the tigers are left wild, there is no exact count of how many are there, but around six cubs are born every year and it’s estimated that there are more than thirty adult tigers in the park at the moment. Unfortunately poaching is prevalent and between 2003 and 2005, 22 tigers were taken out of the park by poachers operating from surrounding villages. With tighter security and more protection effort, the tiger population has since recovered somewhat and tourism to the area helps fund ongoing conservation efforts, so visit India and you just might be helping to protect the beautiful creatures that are bound to provide a natural highlight to your visit.

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The Only Way to Travel The dream of touring India by private jet may be closer than you think…

Captains’ Choice privately chartered Airbus A319 CJ seats just 44 guests in very comfortable VIP style, with plenty of room and an individual entertainment system per guest. Onboard you will be cared for by a specially trained and highly experienced flight crew plus, of course, the Captain’s Choice Team, which includes an accompanying doctor. The Tour Escorts are on hand to smooth out the bumps of travel to remote destinations, taking care of your and, wherever possible, expediting customs and immigration clearances to ensure your holiday time is maximised. They are also convivial travel companions, there to enhance and assist in your trip.

Short flights with Champagne take you from one breathtaking destination where your sightseeing is all included in your tour package. In each destination we use local English speaking guides who provide information on the history, culture, geography and modern way of life. On most tours, you can choose from flexible Select options, enabling you to tailor your holiday to your suit your personal interests.

On all tours, guests are provided with a radio headset, and the guides carry transmitters that enable you to hear the guide’s commentary through a small earpiece, enhancing the experience and allowing you to appreciate the guide’s commentary in refined quality.

As you would expect from such a luxury offering, Captain’s Choice use centrally located 5 star hotels, including one that guarantees close up views of the Taj Mahal.

All meals are included in your VIP holiday experience – every breakfast, lunch

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and dinner, and of course your drinks, and each day whilst sightseeing bottled water is provided.

Dinners throughout each tour feature flexible dine-around evenings, where you can choose from a selection of restaurants, dining from the a la carte menu at a time and with dining companions that suit your preferences. Local entertainment provides an extra taste of local flavour, to be enjoyed with the new friends you’ll make on your trip.

Many people travelling alone join Captain’s Choice. You will be made most welcome by our Tour Escort Team and have the opportunity to travel with many others exploring new destinations solo. To make meeting new friends easier we invite single travellers to a special Welcome Reception at the beginning of each tour to enable you to meet other passengers travelling alone.

We can arrange for you to share a hotel room with another traveller of the same gender and guarantee that you will not have to pay extra, even if we cannot find a roommate for you, or you can choose to have a single room, provided to you at a low supplement. Upon return from each tour, guests receive a group photograph, travel certificate and DVD of photos from your tour.

We invite people travelling solo to join us, and rest assured, the care of our Tour Escort Team and enjoyment of company with your fellow guests means you won’t feel alone – there will always be someone to share in the joy of travel, and in the five star luxury you’ve always dreamed of, it certainly will be a joy.

www.captainschoice.co.uk

EXOTIC INDIA & MOUNTAIN KINGDOMS B Y P R I V AT E J E T OMAN

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You will board our all business-class private jet at the exclusive Harrods terminal at Luton and be welcomed aboard with a glass of champagne before the flight to Muscat in Oman. After two days in this fascinating city, you will fly onward to explore India, Nepal and Bhutan. You will stay in the finest hotels, dine on superb local cuisine and discover amazing sites in the company of expert local guides. Thoughout the tour, our dedicated flight crew and escort team will take care of your every need.

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ESSENTIAL RECIPES

Sizzling in Syria

Never tried Syrian cuisine? We show you how, at home

Egg Plant Salad There’s something about the acidity and flavour of Veracruzana that makes it the perfect sauce for red snapper. This is one of my favourite dishes.

Serves 6 2 long, thin sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 5 mm thick slices 2 yellow or red capsicums (peppers), seeds and membrane removed, cut in half, then cut into 12 slices 1 red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons thyme leaves 1 teaspoon salt flakes 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 4 eggplants (aubergines) large handful of flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped toasted Middle Eastern bread, to serve (optional) DRES SING 1 clove garlic, crushed ¼ cup (60ml) lemon juice ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil ½ teaspoon sweet paprika 2 teaspoons salt flakes Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan-forced).

Place the sweet potato, capsicum and onion on a baking tray, drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with the thyme leaves, salt and pepper. Toss lightly to coat, then roast for about 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Remove and leave to cool slightly.

Meanwhile, prick each eggplant four or five times with a fork.

Using tongs, turn the eggplants over an open flame until they are charred all over and the skin is starting to crack. Alternatively, you can place the eggplants under a hot grill and cook until charred on all sides. Place the charred eggplants in a bowl of cold water to cool for about 10 minutes, then hold them under running water and remove the stalks and peel off the blackened skin. Open the eggplants and remove as many seeds as possible from the centre.

You may not be able to take out every last seed, just do your best as this will help rid the eggplant of any bitterness. Once cleaned, place the eggplants in a colander to drain, then pull them apart by hand into larger bite-sized pieces.

To make the dressing, place all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix together well.

Combine the eggplant, roast vegetables, parsley and dressing in a bowl and lightly toss. Serve immediately with toasted Middle Eastern bread, if liked.

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ESSENTIAL RECIPES

Stuffed Boneless Lamb Shank I came across this beautiful cut of lamb when I was working as a guide on a food tour through Punchbowl in Sydney. I’d never seen it before so I was eager to give it a try. I combined it with some granny smith apples, cinnamon, tomato, sugar and a dry red, giving it the rich, sweet–sour flavours I love so much. The freekeh absorbs all the flavours effortlessly, and the texture of the lamb is superb, especially reheated the next day! It is certainly a very unconventional dish, because in Middle Eastern cuisine we rarely combine sweet flavours with savoury ones. Not even my mother could understand how I could put these ingredients together, but once she had a taste, she was won over.

“The freekeh absorbs all the flavours effortlessly, and the texture of the lamb is superb, especially reheated the next day”

Serves 6 1 granny smith apple, cored, peeled and grated 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoons salt flakes 6 boneless lamb shanks 2 very ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped 1 cup (250 ml) dry red wine 1 tablespoon seven-spice mix

Preheat the oven to 190°C (fan-forced).

Wash the freekeh in a bowl of warm water (this is to flush out any burnt wheat particles that need to be discarded). Drain and wash again in the same way, then leave it in a sieve to drain.

Combine the freekeh, apple, cinnamon, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl and mix together well.

Lay the shanks on a clean surface with the inside layer of the shanks facing up (the outer layer will have a thin membrane covering it and the inside will have more texture and sinews through the meat). Score through the meatiest part of the lamb to make a small incision, enough to fit 2–3 teaspoons of the freekeh stuffing. Spoon in the stuffing and press it down, then roll the shank around to enclose it.

For each shank, cut a 30 cm length of kitchen twine. Wrap the twine around one end of the shank and tie a knot (leaving about 2 cm excess twine), then wrap the twine around the shank two or three times until it reaches the other end. Pull the twine back to the knot end and tie the ends together as tightly as possible. The shank will resemble a mini deboned lamb roast. Place all the shanks in a roasting tin.

Place the tomato, wine, seven-spice mix and remaining salt in a small bowl and mix together well, pressing down lightly against the tomato with the back of a spoon. Pour over the lamb shanks, then cover the tin with foil and bake for 2 hours. Reduce the heat to 150°C, then turn the shanks over and cook, covered, for another 3 hours until the lamb is beautiful and tender. I love to serve these with eggplant salad or curly endive sauteed in olive oil.

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OPPOSITE: Stuffed Boneless Lamb Shank

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Shredded Pastry with Chocolate Cream Traditionally, chocolate doesn’t feature much in Middle Eastern desserts, but the demand for chocolate in the restaurant got the better of me. It didn’t take much to twist my arm, and I came up with the following dish. Kataifi is a finely shredded pastry that looks similar to vermicelli noodles, but has a beautiful crunchy texture when cooked.

Makes 10 300g kataifi pastry 50g butter, melted 80g hazelnuts, crushed 150ml water (sugar syrup; see page 7) CHOCOLATE CREAM 600 ml thickened cream 1 cup (250 ml) milk 250 g milk cooking chocolate, broken into pieces 2 tablespoons orange blossom water ¹⁄³ cup (50g) cornflour blended with ¼ cup (60ml) milk to make a paste

Almond Bar: 100 Delicious Syrian Recipes

by Sharon Salloum. Photography by Rob Palmer.

Published by Jacqui Small, £25

26 OCEAN VIEW

Start by making the chocolate cream. Place the cream and milk in a medium heavy-based saucepan over medium heat and bring to just below the boil. Add the chocolate and stir constantly until melted.

Add the orange blossom water, then the cornflour paste and whisk vigorously to stop any lumps forming. (If you do not have a steel whisk, use a wooden spoon, but reduce the heat to low.) When the cream has thickened to the consistency of pouring custard, remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool at room temperature.

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow the chocolate cream to thicken and cool completely.

Preheat the oven to 190°C (fan-forced). Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Pull the kataifi apart by hand to make it workable. Ensure you are in a cool space, without any breeze to dry out the pastry. Pull off a small handful of the pastry and loosely work it between your palms to the size of a tennis ball. Place the ball on the baking tray and gently press down to flatten it into a disc shape. Repeat with the remaining pastry to make 20 discs.

Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the discs with melted butter, then place in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

For each serving, place a kataifi disc on a serving plate and top with 2 tablespoons of the chocolate cream. Spread the cream out evenly, then gently place another disc on top. Sprinkle lightly with the crushed hazelnuts and serve with sugar syrup on the side so everyone can help themselves.

c f w w

www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk 3 to 18 May 2014

children’s walks · dinosaur walks · walks from rails · ramblers walks · exploration walks · history walks · nature walks · foodie walks · nordic walking · dawn chorus walks www.garmin.co.uk

Make a connection!

Why not join us on our popular speed dating walk on the 4 May – a chance to meet other walkers and take the first step towards a new friendship.

Round the Island walks The isle of Wight has 72 miles of coastal paths with spectacular views of the Island and South of England.

Choose from three different walks – a non-stop, 24-hour walk on 17 May; a two-day walk on the 17 and 18 May; or a three-day walk on the 3, 4 anf 5 May.

Further details of these walks can be found on the website: www.isleofwightfestival.co.uk

Garmin is proud sponsor of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival

The UK’s biggest walking festival! facebook.com/isleofwightwalkingfestival

@IWWalkingFest OCEAN VIEW 27

Walking

Walk This Way! Put the guide books down and try out a new way to navigate

O

ne of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in a region’s culture is to get out into the country and explore on foot. Walking allows you to get the insider track wherever you go, getting to grips with the rich traditions of your destination the way locals would, away from the tourist hotspots and overcrowded transport.

However, in new territory it is often difficult to know where to start exploring, and taking off on foot to explore somewhere new can be more than a little daunting. The fear of getting lost has been putting many of us off the adventures we really want to go on for some time… but no longer!

Historically, travel guide books have been useful in finding a starting point, but in the digital age it is so much easier!

Online travel guides are becoming more popular and provide a wealth of information and resources to help get the most from the outdoors without trying to unfold and refold a map every couple of minutes. The ViewRanger app is specifically designed to help on-foot explorers with all the information they need, like a tour guide in your pocket… you will wonder how you ever went on holiday without it!

To inspire you, we’ve selected five of the top European coastal destinations for walkers that you can navigate with confidence using the ViewRanger app, with a QR download to allow Ocean View readers to give it a try! As well as details on nearby points of interest, each destination will recommend a walk perfect for

28 OCEAN VIEW

exploring the surroundings. The route can be downloaded to a smartphone or tablet, via the app and seen on a map by scanning the adjacent QR code. ViewRanger even has active navigation to show you where to go, perfect if you have just arrived at port and don’t know where to begin, so you can get started as soon as you get there!

your return there is also a pub next to the train station serving food and drink all day.

What better way to fully embrace British culture than sat in front of a cosy fire with a pint of local ale after a country walk.

Cádiz, Spain

Southampton, UK

For a start, why not try out this new way of walking without leaving the UK? Just beyond the busy port of Southampton is the beautiful New Forest National Park.

Created almost 1000 years ago by King William I for hunting, the National Park is home to many rare animals, as well as the famous wild ponies that roam the forest. The forest is steeped in history and is covered in ancient monuments and burial mounds.

Travelling from Southampton to the New Forest is just a quick train ride away and if you want to start your exploration as soon as you step off the train then the New Forest National Park’s walk from Beaulieu Road train station is perfect for you. The circular route passes through the park’s forest and heathland as well as several ancient burial mounds, before returning back to the train station. If you fancy a drink or bite to eat on

Often cruises make port at cities, where it can be difficult to know where to begin in your quest to ‘see it all’. If you are lucky enough to visit Cádiz make sure you take in the charming La Caleta beach which featured in the James Bond film ‘Die Another Day’. The city’s cathedral is also not to be missed. It took over 100 years to build, during which time the design changed several times resulting in the different layers of marble, brick and stone seen today.

To get to grips with the real essence of the city, including sea views, traditional narrow streets, and exotic plants supposedly brought to Spain by Christopher Columbus, try the Cádiz City Walk from the ViewRanger trail guide. The route starts at the port and ends at the town hall, taking in most of the landmarks of Cádiz along the way, including the 1850’s lighthouse, beach and seafront castle, which has excellent views across the ocean and city landscape.

walking

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Fjords, Norway

It is said the Fjords of Norway were made for cruising. The Fjords were created by ancient glacier activity over millions of years, forming a labyrinth of picturesque mountains and scenery that is not to be missed. Once onshore you are only a short walk away from beautiful leafy forests with stunning snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Within the city there are medieval buildings as well as a famous fish market which makes a perfect stop for lunch.

After sampling some of the city’s delicacies, the ViewRanger trail guide suggests catching the funicular (a cliff railway which is one of Bergen’s major tourist attractions) up 320m to the top of the nearby hills for spectacular views across the fjords and nearby islands. The route, rated as easy in the trail guide, then moves further inland and away from the crowds, passing through a dense pine forest which breaks only for the lakes bordered with rich green foliage, the perfect destination to relax and get away from it all.

Naples, Italy

Beneath the fast growing cityscape of Naples is a nest of Italian culture waiting for you to delve straight into. There are several examples of Gothic architecture in the city including the Castel Nuovo, once home to 30 OCEAN VIEW

Tiny village of Bakka along the Naeroyfjord in Norway.

Charles I, and the Naples Cathedral which dates back to the 13th century.

Nearby to the city is one of Italy’s most famous landmarks, Mount Vesuvius, which erupted almost 2000 years ago leading to the destruction of the city of Pompeii. The city has been extraordinarily well preserved, making it a popular destination for those wanting to embrace the culture of this ancient society.

If you want to get the best panoramic view of Naples and Pompeii whilst visiting some of Italy’s most ancient history, a hike up Mount Vesuvius is a great opportunity and shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours. Starting in the west, the ViewRanger trail guide suggests a route which zigzags up the mountainside to the summit of the volcano. From the summit you will also be able to see rising fumes from the crater which acts as a constant reminder of the danger below.

Rostock, Germany

Despite heavy bombing during the Second World War, the city of Rostock still boasts 13th century Gothic style architecture and some parts of the medieval city wall and gates still remain. The city was a powerful port and market town which dominated trade across the coast of Northern Europe.

Warnemünde is the seaside part of Rostock and still maintains its small fishing village feel. The beach is the largest and broadest on the German Baltic Sea coast and is popular with locals as well as tourists.

From the beach there are beautiful sights across the sea, and an opportunity to watch

Walking

Rostock, Germany town skyline.

Planning ahead with ViewRanger

Castel Nuovo in Italy

numerous water sports, including kitesurfing and windsurfing which are very popular in the region.

The coastal walk from Warnemünde is suggested in the ViewRanger trail guide.

The route takes you away from the main beach and down the secluded coastal path which features forests, cliffs and the constant presence of a beautiful sea breeze and on coming waves, allowing you to be transported to a relaxed state of mind, where you are able to truly unwind.

A cruise is much more than just a boat trip. It is an opportunity to discover and appreciate many different cultures in a short space of time. In order to truly experience these differing values and beliefs it is best to get away from it all and explore.

Online trail guides such as ViewRanger allow you to quickly find a route off the beaten track and start your path to discovery.

Only this way can you experience the different flavours of a country’s culture that cruising can provide.

ViewRanger is an outdoors GPS mapping app, which allows you to download a choice of maps and routes to your smartphone or tablet. Once downloaded the map and route, along with your exact location using GPS, is all visible without the need for a mobile signal.

The key is to download any routes and maps you think you might need before you go, to avoid any roaming charges while you are abroad.

When choosing a route, pick a selection you think you will enjoy.

Many of the routes in ViewRanger’s trail guide have descriptions and photographs so you know how long it is and what you might see. Try to include variations in length and scenery so you aren’t limited when you arrive.

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Pleasure Ahoy Me Hearties Cruise & Walk – The Best of Both Worlds What could be more enticing than luxuriating on your own floating hotel – combined with exhilarating guided walks at various ports of call en route? And, an added bonus is that all shore excursions are included in the price of your holiday!

Ramblers Worldwide Cruise & Walk – the experts in guided walking have teamed up with Fred. Olsen Cruises Lines to offer a great range of Cruise & Walk options – giving one the chance to enjoy the best of life on the ocean wave and terra firma.

And, what a choice of holidays!

Everything from the Fjords of Norway and roaming around Britain & Ireland to the Magic of the Canaries, Cape Verde and West Africa – and much more!

Launched earlier this year, are several brand new additions to this highly successful, long-established Cruise & Walk programme.

These are even more exotic and include The Java Sea to Japan – a 15 night holiday aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral embracing Malaysia, Semarang on the north coast of the island of Java, and Komodo island in Indonesia, the Phillipines, Naha, sailing the Ryukyu Islands and Tokyo in Japan departing 14 February 2015. Price from £3,775 per person (includes return flights and transfers). In addition we have a fly, cruise and walk Japan & the East China Sea

holiday that starts in Tokyo, then sails to South Korea and Japan before journey’s end in Hong Kong departing 27 February 2015.

Price from £3,850 per person (includes return flights and transfers).

Or, one can sail the South China Sea to Singapore with a tantalising itinerary which spans, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Singapore departing 16 March 2015. Price from £3,575 per person (includes return flights and transfers).

Then, for a warm and welcoming taste of the Caribbean and Latin America, why not treat yourself to a 16 night fly-cruise and walk to three islands in the Eastern Caribbean, three island in the Eastern Caribbean, three islands in the Dutch Antilles and three ports in Panama and Colombia? This adventure is aboard Fred.

Olsen’s Braemar beginning in glorious Barbados. Departs 25 January 2015. Price from £2,850 per person.

There’s also another Caribbean treat (again aboard Braemar) beginning in Barbados and bound for the British Virgin Islands, Havana, Cuba, Turks and Caicos Islands, St Kitts, St Maarten and Antigua.

Departs 8 February 2015. Price from £2,590 per person.

A little closer to home and also new to the Cruise & Walk portfolio is Iberia and France – a choice of 10 or 12 night

www.cruiseandwalk.co.uk • 01707 386767

holidays cruising, walking and sightseeing along Europe’s Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines and countryside. Departures are from Harwich or Newcastle, with the first being 20 May 2014. Price from £1,250 per person.

All of the above prices include all meals, an exclusive welcome party on one evening and a traditional afternoon tea with waiter service on a sea day, guided walking tours, shore visits, sightseeing programmes, onboard entertainment and restaurant tips plus the services of a dedicated tour leader.

OCEAN VIEW 33

St Helena:

There’s Nowhere Remotely Like It

S

ituated in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, St Helena is one of the most remote places on earth.

Until the island’s first airport opens in early 2016, the main way for tourists to get to St Helena is by the RMS St Helena, one of only two ocean-going vessels in the world to carry the venerable title of Royal Mail Ship. A round trip from Cape Town takes around 17 days – 5 days on the water each way with a week on the island.

The RMS is the lifeline for residents, carrying all their goods and supplies to the

34 OCEAN VIEW

island. This is part of the fascination and attraction of this unique working ship. A voyage on the RMS is a blue water Atlantic odyssey, with a difference.

When you get to the island, its contrasting and spectacular scenery, centuries old military fortifications and graceful buildings make it the perfect place for active exploration. The island weaves history, nature and culture into a unique and extraordinary tapestry. The natural environment runs from arid desert to cloud forest, all packed into 42 square miles it’s a

walker’s paradise. It also is home to at least 40 plants and hundreds of insects unknown anywhere else in the world, grows some of the most sought after coffee on the planet, and offers world class diving. Manta rays, Whale Sharks, Humpbacks and a local pod of some 400 dolphins make any boat trip a memorable experience.

Napoleon arguably still remains the big draw for visitors to St Helena. Almost 200 years later the legacy of the French Emperor lives on. Significant places linked to Napoleon can be visited today including

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Longwood House where Napoleon lived during his exile, the Briars Pavilion and his Tomb (although his actual remains are now in Paris). Next year marks 200 years since Napoleon arrived on St Helena.

The 4,000 English speaking residents, called Saints, are a friendly mix of British, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese and other influences: distinctly British, but uniquely “Saint”. Their local drink is Tungi (pronounced Toon-chi) a strong spirit made from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus.

In 2016 the RMS St Helena will be

decommissioned as most tourists will come to the island by plane. So, for now, if St Helena is on your bucket list of destinations… don’t miss the boat!

For more information on St Helena visit www.sthelenatourism.com, follow the latest news on the blog www. sthelenawirebird.com and join the official St Helena Facebook page at: www. facebook.com/visit.sthelena.

OCEAN VIEW 35

Italy

A Weekend in… Italy Join Ocean View and CruiseCritic on a whistlestop tour of Italy.

What can you pack into your weekend?

Rome The capital city in the land of Leonardo, Michelangelo and the Popes is today a living museum with gorgeous artwork, amazing architecture and inspiring ancient sites.

One of our favorite things to do there is walk and ogle. On a recent visit, we took one day to do the route from Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica -- with its jaw-dropping art, statuary, and religious significance -- to Via del Corso, where our quest for the latest Italian fashions was more than fulfilled. The next day, we went on an ancient history quest past ruins and columns, to the Colosseum, where gladiators once battled and then the Pantheon, the wellpreserved ancient symbol of Rome.

First-time visitors, many envisioning Rome as big and congested, will be surprised by the scenic layout, with its famous seven hills and the Tiber River running through the city, but the senses may be shocked by the general energy, hustle and bustle. With cars, taxis and scooters roaring here and there, crossing the street can be 36 OCEAN VIEW

a challenge. (Don’t worry; there are quiet piazzas aplenty with lovely cafes where you can get away from it all and unwind.)

No question, Rome has one of the world’s most important collections of once-ina-lifetime sights to see, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum and on and on and on. And for those historic monuments alone, the city is worth a visit.

Genoa Sometimes, cities are lucky enough to reinvent themselves. Genoa, given short shrift in travel guides 20 years ago, has undergone a striking renaissance since 1992, when it hosted an international expo to commemorate the 500-year anniversary of the discovery of the New World.

From a distance, the Genoa cityscape -climbing up a steep, green hillside from the Ligurian sea -- is awash in Mediterranean colour: ochre, pink and red. It’s a big town with more than 600,000 people, but it has a small-town feel and layout that make it

“Rome has one of the world’s most important collections of once-in-a-lifetime sights to see, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel”

OPPOSITE: Tourists at Vatican City, Vatican.

Saint Peter’s Square is among most popular pilgrimage sites for Roman Catholics.

OCEAN VIEW 37

AV N FO AI OW R LAB SA L LE E South Devon is a sought after destination. The mild climate, historic towns, fishing villages, glorious beaches and rugged Dartmoor make any visit memorable. Add to that your own purpose built hideaway – a second home to meet every expectation and bring Devon to your doorstep. Any day of the year.

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Email info@arboretumdevon.com Website www.arboretumdevon.com www.facebook.com/pages/The-Arboretum-Devon/215847705107079 twitter.com/arboretumdevon The Arboretum, Blagdon Road, Higher Blagdon, Devon TQ3 3YG

Italy

imminently walkable. Most of the main attractions are all within a 10 to 20 minute walk of Porto Antico.

Genoa, or Genova in Italian, has a rich history dating back to ancient times, but it’s probably best known for Christopher Columbus, its most famous native celebrity.

It has long been associated with the arts, and in 2004 the European Union designated Genoa as a European Capital of Culture.

In 2006, a mid-16th century district on Via Garibaldi that houses an architecturally important ensemble of Renaissance and Baroque palaces was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Venice Of all the cities in the world, only Paris comes remotely close to matching Venice in terms of sheer beauty and romance. You’ve seen it in photos and films, but there’s no substitute for the reality -- the shimmering Grand Canal, the gondolas slipping down watery alleyways, the elegant palazzos emerging straight from the sea.

Venice once ruled the Mediterranean as a shipping power, amassing vast wealth

and producing some of Europe’s greatest artistic and cultural treasures. But, over the centuries, Venice has declined a bit and now has less than half the population it had at its peak. What remains of its former grandeur -- the crumbling palaces, the sumptuous art in its museums and churches, the fantastic rituals of Carnevale -- makes Venice a living tribute to the past.

There are few better cities to simply get lost in, particularly if you want to escape the tourist hordes that clog the main arteries around San Marco and the Rialto Bridge.

So once you’ve seen the major sights, fold up your map, and set off on foot. You’ll discover tiny trattorias where the locals enjoy the catch of the day. And, away from the vaporetti (water taxis) and motorboat traffic on the Grand Canal, you’ll discover one more pleasure of this place, aptly dubbed La Serenissima -- the unexpected quiet of a city without cars.

Florence On any Western Mediterranean itinerary, Florence is an absolute highlight -- the gem of the early Italian Renaissance. In the

“Of all the cities in the world, only Paris comes remotely close to matching Venice in terms of sheer beauty and romance”

ABOVE: Florentine landmarks in fantastic landscape

OCEAN VIEW 39

Italy

Grand Canal, Venice

Pisa and arno river

15th century, when great artists like Giotto, Ghiberti, Brunelleschi and Michelangelo worked there, they created magnificent examples of painting and sculpture that today still fill Florentine churches, civic buildings, grand palazzi and eventually world-class museums such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia. Architecture prospered in Florence, too -- indeed the city’s signature work of art is the masterful Brunelleschi-designed dome of its cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, known as the Duomo.

No question -- Forence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and Livorno’s north Tuscan locale means that other cities -- Pisa, with its famous leaning tower; the walled city of Lucca; and San Gimignano, with 14 of its medieval towers still intact -are not far away.

Wherever you go in Italy, the coffee will be rich, the food will be wonderful and the good life abounds. Enjoy. www.cruisecritic.co.uk

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A

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Overlooking one of Guernsey’s most beautiful bays, with clean, soft white sand and stunning sunsets, yet only 3 miles from the main town of St. Peter Port, Cobo Bay Hotel provides the perfect location for short breaks and romantic getaways.

All 34 en-suite bedrooms have been designed to an exceptional standard, featuring a wide range of amenities you would normally associate with a 4 or 5 star hotel, including plasma screen TVs with

Sky, personal safes, fluffy bathrobes and slippers. Guests can also enjoy free WiFi throughout the hotel, as well as a complimentary health suite that features a hot tub, sauna and steam room.

The sumptuous Chesterfield Lounge Bar provides an ambient setting for an aperitif or night cap, whilst their stylish restaurant continually wins recognition for the quality of its food and service, including two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence, a feat achieved by very few restaurants in Guernsey. Locally renowned for warm hospitality, their menus specialise in fresh seafood and shellfish caught within the bay itself, an addition to the finest cuts of meat and delicious vegetarian dishes.

contact us on: 01481 257 102 or reservations@cobobayhotel.com www.cobobayhotel.com

OCEAN VIEW 41

Visit Sark Just a short distance away, Sark offers a whole world of relaxation and enjoyment on our doorstep

S

ark is the fourth smallest of the Channel Islands and lies in the English Channel just off the coast of Normandy, six miles from Guernsey and twenty miles from Jersey. The island is the smallest independent state in the Commonwealth, with its own parliament, Chief Pleas, and its own laws. It also has the distinction of being awarded by the Dark Sky Association as the very first ‘Dark Sky Island’. Sark has exceptional beauty and unrivalled peace and quiet.

Sark is a large rock rising from the sea, its serenity protected by 200 foot cliffs topped by rolling fields. The granite cliffs are home to many species of sea birds and the coast is covered in carpets of flowers in the spring. They change, blue with bluebells, pink with thrift and white with daisies as the spring sunlight lures the plants out in steady procession. The butterflies, untroubled by pesticides, flutter from flower to flower; a birdwatcher’s delight.

It is not only the flowers and dramatic scenery that makes Sark unique. There are no cars allowed to pollute the air and ear.

The usual means of transport is bicycle or horse and carriage. There is tractor-drawn transport up Harbour Hill, but tractors may not carry passengers beyond the dropping point at the top. Visitors may walk, or cycle, but most choose to take a sight-seeing horse and carriage trip where they can take advantage of being able to see over the high banks which line the unmade roads.

Seats on carriage tours of Sark may be booked from Guernsey or Jersey, as part of

42 OCEAN VIEW

a package tour, but there are plenty of free seats for those who make their own travel arrangements. Just ask the drivers lined up in the carriage park at the top of the hill.

Many day visitors return to stay longer in the hotels, guest houses or campsites on the island. Some return again and again. Long term visitors all have their own favourite parts of Sark. Painters enjoy the sweeping views of the many headlands which look out on to the bays, the stretches of sand and rocks and the translucent sea. Walkers enjoy the cliff paths which give the same magnificent vistas combined with gentle exercise. They can climb down to the beaches to paddle, swim, build castles and investigate some of the caves under the cliffs. Divers visit to explore underwater, where clear seas make it easy to see the tremendous variety of marine life.

After a day in really fresh air, visitors and locals alike will find a restaurant for an evening meal. Sark is lucky, having local fish, lamb, pork, beef and vegetables to provide a basis for the very good chefs who work in the hotels in the summer. The island butter is legendary, being a rich yellow, as is the local cream. Going out for a meal on a summer evening is quite an experience.

Some hire a carriage, but many walk, enjoying air scented with honeysuckle and the deep quiet. After dinner the walk home is often under a canopy of stars. On moonlit nights the sea glitters. There are no street lights on Sark so a torch is recommended!

Sark is a truly magical place, quite unlike anywhere else and well worth a visit.

For more information contact: 01481 832345, or visit the website www.sark.co.uk

A haven for people and wildlife www.sark.co.uk

OCEAN VIEW 43

MAKE YOUR MOVE TO THE COAST THIS SPRING

LEMANA PLACE, WATERFORD LANE, LYMINGTON, SO41 3PT The stunning homes at this select development are now complete and ready for immediate occupation. Just two homes remain, so don’t miss out.

Lemana Place offers the unique opportunity for luxury coastal living in a sought-after location, perfectly situated close to Lymington River and the marinas, as well as the charming High Street and train station.

Prices from £1,295,000 Show home open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm

Photography shows Plot 1. Additional photography shows local area.

Price correct at time of print.

Take a closer look Call 0845 899 0625 or visit lemanaplace.co.uk

44 OCEAN VIEW

LAST CHANCE TO BUY AT THIS AWARD-WINNING DEVELOPMENT

VANTAGE POINT, COWES, PO31 8BQ Luxury coastal living Just one apartment remains at Vantage Point, offering exceptionally stylish and spacious living with glorious views out to sea. Located close to the marina and adjacent to the Royal Yacht Squadron, Vantage Point puts you right in the heart of the sailing world.

Priced at ÂŁ695,000 Viewings strictly by appointment only

External photography features Vantage Point. Additional photography features the previous show home. Price correct at time of print.

Take a closer look Call 0845 899 0960 or visit vantagepointcowes.co.uk

OCEAN VIEW 45

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11 Day Discovery Cruise

Bergen • Ålesund • The Royal City of Trondheim • Arctic Circle and Loften Islands • Tromsø • Honningsvåg • Kirkenes • Hammerfest • Tromsø • Vesterålen and Loften Islands • Arctic Circle • Trondheim per couple

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Bergen • Ålesund • Geirangerfjord • The Royal City of Trondheim • Arctic Circle and Loften Islands • Tromsø • Honningsvåg • Kirkenes • Hammerfest • Tromsø • Vesterålen and Loften Islands • Arctic Circle • Trondheim • Kristiansund • Bergen

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Antarctica

Expedition of a Lifetime OCEAN VIEW 47

48 OCEAN VIEW

Antarctica

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trip to Antarcitca is something that is on many the fantasy ‘bucket list’, but many people don’t even consider it making a reality because it’s assumed that you need to mount a huge expedition to get there; that travelling and logistics will be difficult and that there is little help to be found in organizing such a trip.

Fortunately, these assumptions are often wrong!

A number of cruise providers offer packages that take travelers to the highlights of the Antarctic where they can view and even be a part of conservation efforts, get acquainted with polar wildlife, and see some of the most spectacular landmarks that aren’t on our televisions every day.

A common base for local adventures is Ushuaia, the capital of Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur Province, Argentina, and often considered to be the southernmost city in the world. Ushuaia is nestled in a wide bay on the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, where you’re in a great position to visit Tierra Del Fuego National Park or hike up to the Marshall Glacier. Some cruise expeditions board from here and it’s a great place to watch a spectacular sunset over the Beagle Channel.

You can cross Drake Passage - a 400 mile crossing of the passage that bears the name of the legendary 16th century English explorer Sir Francis Drake. This crossing will take you over the Antarctic Convergence, a meeting of cold polar water flowing north and warmer equatorial water moving in the opposite direction.

This mixing pushes nutrient rich waters to the surface attracting a variety of seabirds, whales and other species, which you’ll have a perfect view of from your comfortable and quiet spot onboard your cruise vessel.

As you get your first glimpses of Antarctica, prepared to be dazzled. Those who work on the cruises still report being amazed each and every time they visit, so for a first time visitor, the glimmering and surprisingly varied landscape of Antarctica never fails to amaze.

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Antarctica

“Some expeditions give you plenty of chance to explore close up in inflatable Zodiac boats that allow you in closer to the land and up the smaller waterways”

These are no fly-by (or float-by!) tours: you do really get a chance to explore the Great White Continent from land too.

Popular excursions include stops in the South Shetland Islands then through the Bransfield Strait and to the Antarctic Peninsula. All your stops will, of course, be dependent on local weather and ice conditions as your safety is paramount, but your crew will endeavour to find you plenty of opportunities to explore. Within the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, some expeditions give you plenty of chance to explore close up in inflatable Zodiac boats that allow you in closer to the land and up the smaller waterways so that you can see Neko Harbour, Wilhelmina Bay and the southerly Petermann Island: a great place for spotting Weddell, crabeater and elephant seals, skuas and other seabirds as well as a shocking abundance of penguins including some very large colonies of the comical Adélie penguin.

From the ships themselves, bird feeding and whale watching are popular pastimes, and you’ll often find presentations and lectures on the local wildlife, conservation work, geography and other fascinating subjects that will enhance your knowledge of the area and therefore your travel experience.

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Antarctica

Some expedition operators facilitate additional activities such as sea kayaking and polar camping for the truly adventurous. All the special equipment that you’d need for this can be hired from the tour operators, who will accompany your trek to ensure that you have all the help and advice you need to be safe and comfortable whilst making the most of this unique chance to experience the world at its very wildest.

There are numerous areas within the peninsula and surrounding archipelago that offer extraordinary ski touring opportunities.

“Many Antarctic expeditions encompass photography missions that will guide you around Antarctica’s rocky shores and plush, pristine snow drifts” It is also possible to strap on snowshoes for an expedition snowshoeing program, following a line up-slope for great views whilst learning about your surroundings from experienced mountain guides.

Perhaps as you’d expect from trips taking in some of the rarest and most spectacular sights on earth, many Antarctic expeditions encompass photography missions that will guide you around Antarctica’s rocky shores and plush, pristine snow drifts. The expert company of your guides will not only make the adventure safe and achievable, but help you to learn about the secluded wonders of the Great White Continent and ensure that you go home with stories you will never forget.

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At Waitrose, we combine the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist shop. Above all, we take pride in the freshness and quality of our food.

Local Stores in your area where you can also pick up a copy Ocean View Magazine

Burgess Hill

The Martletts, Burgess Hill 01444 230092 www.watirose.com/burgesshill

Brighton

130-134 Western Rd, Brighton 01273 326549 www.waitrose.com/brighton

Chichester

Via Ravenna, Chichester 01243 537512 www.watirose.com/chichester

Littlehampton

Eastbourne

Lewes

High Street, Old Town, Eastbourne 01323 644505 www.watirose.com/eastbourne

Eastgate Street, Lewes 01273 486286 www.waitrose.com/lewes

Avon Rd, Littlehampton 01903 718187 www.waitrose.com/littlehampton

Worthing

Hailsham

Horsham

High St, Worthing 01903 230222 www.waitrose.com/worthing

Vicarage Field, Hailsham 01323 846708 www.waitrose.com/hailsham

18 Piries Pl, Town Centre, Horsham 01403 259777 www.watirose.com/horsham

OCEAN VIEW 53

Lake Love Affair to Last a Lifetime!

S

unlit ripples from a distant boat dance across the depths of Lake Como in front of a majestic back drop of mountains. The voluptuous hillside terrain of dramatic finery, hemmed along the shoreline with the golden thread of timeless villages and set with the jewels of villas and botanical gardens in between to adorn the senses with further beauty.

With this unworldly vision a reality, one can completely understand Wordsworth’s remark that Lake Como is “a treasure which the earth keeps to itself”.

As the modern demands of today grapple with our body and mind, we all need to find a secret piece of paradise that inspires, beguiles and restores?

For holiday seekers everywhere, Lake Como in the northern Lombardy region of Italy, offers all this and more. With its year-round beauty, lidos and idyllic lake

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swimming spots accompanied by water sport clubs, power boat rental, mooring facilities and chartered yacht hire; lake lovers are spoilt for choice.

From the welcoming hue of spring to the sundrenched hospitality of summer and autumn, Lake Como bursts at the seams with beauty. As compelling to the elite and jet set as to nature lovers, families and couples; visitors can revel in a glamorous getaway or a budget-friendly break. With world-class villa attractions vying for your attention alongside picturesque resort towns, alfresco lakeside dining, spectacular outdoor activities, rustic ‘Agroturismo’ retreats with romantic ‘Aperitivos’ under the stars; Lake Como evokes the very essence of ‘La Dolce Vita’.

From enthralling water sports, hiking, cooking lessons and tennis to relaxed lido days, family fun, extreme sports, seaplane

trips and even a round of golf; Lake Como is everything you want it to be!

As equally enticing in the wintertime; the snow flurried Italian Alps and Valtellina peaks call out across the slumbering lake with the resonance of a choir; to invite amateurs and enthusiasts to its ski slopes.

The gateway to the lake, the city of Como provides easy access by train and car from Milan and Lugano. The region also boasts numerous airports including Milan Malpensa, Milan Bergamo, Milan Linate and Lugano.

Our company boasts a labyrinth of budget to luxury holiday apartments and villa rentals on the Italian Lakes.

We provide multi-lingual guest support and 5* concierge services; so get the most out of your Lake Como stay and take to the lake with us! www.lakecomohomes.com

OCEAN VIEW 55

Italy

Grand Canal, Venice

Pisa and arno river

15th century, when great artists like Giotto, Ghiberti, Brunelleschi and Michelangelo worked there, they created magnificent examples of painting and sculpture that today still fill Florentine churches, civic buildings, grand palazzi and eventually world-class museums such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia. Architecture prospered in Florence, too -- indeed the city’s signature work of art is the masterful Brunelleschi-designed dome of its cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, known as the Duomo.

No question -- Forence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and Livorno’s north Tuscan locale means that other cities -- Pisa, with its famous leaning tower; the walled city of Lucca; and San Gimignano, with 14 of its medieval towers still intact -are not far away.

Wherever you go in Italy, the coffee will be rich, the food will be wonderful and the good life abounds. Enjoy. www.cruisecritic.co.uk

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Advertorial

Cobo Bay Hotel

Cobo Bay Hotel is one of the highest-rated 3-star hotels in Britain, boasting an unrivalled beachfront location along the scenic west coast of Guernsey.

A

tip-to-toe renovation, complemented by the personal touches and attentive service that come with a family-run hotel, have resulted in a Gold Award from Visit Guernsey as well as the highest AA merit score ever achieved by a 3 star hotel on the island.

Overlooking one of Guernsey’s most beautiful bays, with clean, soft white sand and stunning sunsets, yet only 3 miles from the main town of St. Peter Port, Cobo Bay Hotel provides the perfect location for short breaks and romantic getaways.

All 34 en-suite bedrooms have been designed to an exceptional standard, featuring a wide range of amenities you would normally associate with a 4 or 5 star hotel, including plasma screen TVs with

Sky, personal safes, fluffy bathrobes and slippers. Guests can also enjoy free WiFi throughout the hotel, as well as a complimentary health suite that features a hot tub, sauna and steam room.

The sumptuous Chesterfield Lounge Bar provides an ambient setting for an aperitif or night cap, whilst their stylish restaurant continually wins recognition for the quality of its food and service, including two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence, a feat achieved by very few restaurants in Guernsey. Locally renowned for warm hospitality, their menus specialise in fresh seafood and shellfish caught within the bay itself, an addition to the finest cuts of meat and delicious vegetarian dishes.

contact us on: 01481 257 102 or reservations@cobobayhotel.com www.cobobayhotel.com

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Competition

WIN!

biOrb Air

You could win:

Reef One, the designers behind the biOrb aquarium, has unveiled the the biOrb Air. The company’s first non-aquatic product,.

Replicates a tropical forest floor micro climate.

An innovative and intelligent micro climate, the biOrb Air provides the perfect growing conditions for tropical plants and flowers while being a stylish design feature for a modern home.

It boasts intelligent automatic lighting, misting, air-circulation and controlled moisture levels to replicate nature’s daylight cycle, air movement and humidity.

It needs no daylight.

LED lighting means plants can grow without natural daylight.

The low voltage LED lights emit the perfect output for growing and replicate the lighting under a forest canopy. They are positioned in a circular pattern to encourage natural growth and prevent plants from leaning towards a light source.

Senses when your plants need moisture - automatically.

Built-in humidity sensors control moisture levels within the micro climate. The biOrb Air simulates nature by gently misting your plants from above with an ultrasonic mister.

Fresh air in, clean air out.

Air in the tank is continuously recycled to prevent stagnation. A fan draws in a percentage of external fresh air while expelling clean air out through a carbon filter.

The biOrb Air is almost maintenance free, when its reservoir runs low on water it will gently dim its lights to let you know.

To find out more about the biOrb Air visit www.biorbair.com

When you’ve got it, simply email the answer with the subject line ‘competition’, to lottie@oceanviewuk.co.uk. Alternatively, send a postcard with the page number to Lottie Dowdeswell, Park View House, 19 The Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3YD. Don’t forget to include your contact details so that we can let you know if you’re one of our lucky winners!

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All you need to do, to be in for a chance of winning is answer this simple question:

What is the Capital of Tierra Del Fuego?

a) Ushuaia b) Paris c) Rome

Closing Date: Friday 30th April 2014 Winners will be drawn from correct answers a week after the closing date. Good Luck!

Door to door cruise transfers Cruise transfer specialists Ports Direct are geared to offer cruise lines passengers a UK nationwide cruise transfer service to/from all main seaports, airports and train stations.

HOME

Ports Direct offer the following: • A range of vehicles from a saloon car to a fleet of executive coaches

PRE CRUISE HOTEL

• Our drivers handle your luggage from your chosen pick up location and ensure a porter is at hand to check your luggage in at the port terminal • We will meet you at the arrivals terminal holding a name board clearly displaying your name, ready for your return

AIRPORT OR TRAIN STATION

• Shared door to door and private door to door service

PORT

• Shared passenger transfers are guaranteed to operate even when passenger numbers are low • Luxury as standard

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Our dr you ivers a lugg with y ssist ou ag por e into r t ter t min he al

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Book Online portsdirect.co.uk

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0843 0843 003 Proud members of

or go online www.portsdirect.co.ukOCEAN VIEW 59

Swiss movement, English heart

The high-tech, high quality ceramic of the Coral’s bezel and bracelet creates a watch of both ethereal beauty and astonishing durability. The 24ct PVD gold accents add a delicate luxury to a timepiece as vibrant and precious as the “rainforests of the sea” from which it takes its name.

Showroom at No.1 Park Street, Maidenhead. To arrange a personal appointment, call +44 (0)1628 763040 60 OCEAN VIEW

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