Val de Vie, South Africa 2012

VAL DE VIE MAGAZINE

M A G A Z I N E

SUMMER CLASSIC

THIS SEASON IT’S THE DRESS BUY YOUR OWN

ISLAND THE ULTIMATE IN LUXURY LIVING

TASTE OF FRANSCHHOEK

THE ART OF INVESTING

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JEREMY CLARKSON RYK NEETHLING ARTHUR GILLIS

SUMMER 2012

S U M M E R 2012

R39.95

ISLAND LIFE THE IDEA OF OWNING YOUR OWN ISLAND HAS TO BE THE ULTIMATE DREAM OF ANY PROPERTY OWNER. TEXT SVEN JURGSON PHOTOGRAPHS FARHAD VLADI

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t was Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis who is credited with instilling into public consciousness the concept of the island as the ultimate getaway; and today’s high-profile island-owners include Ted Turner, Brooke Shields, Bjorn Borg, Nicholas Cage, Charles Heidsieck, Malcolm Forbes and Sol Kersner.

In the past 35 years, Island agent Farhad Vladi has sold over 1,200 islands and has a worldwide database of over 10 000 exotic and often eccentric escapes. The most expensive island that Vladi brokered was Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands that he sold for R78million, but he has sold many lesser islands for less than R200 000. The cheapest island he ever sold was a 500 square metre rock on Lake Charlotte, Nova Scotia for a mere R9 750.

Farhad Vladi was still a university student, working towards a doctorate in Economics, when he made his first island deal: “I’d spotted a newspaper article saying that a tropical island in the Indian Ocean had been bought for just two thousand dollars. Nothing! But it really captured my imagination and it was this small news snippet that completely changed my life. I knew from that moment on that I just had to have an island of my own.”

Vladi wrote to the Seychelles Bulletin newspaper to say that he was planning a visit to the Indian Ocean in the hope of buying an island.

Unfortunately, most of his capital was used up just getting there.

This was in the days before low-cost air travel and the Mombasa to Bombay steamer was the only way. When he arrived, the cheapest deal he was offered was Cousine Island, an idyllic palm-fringed, white sanded

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paradise but the R650 000 price tag was far more than he could afford.

Today the island is owned by a South African businessman, who turned it into a luxury holiday resort. Disappointed, Vladi returned home to Germany where, to cut his losses, he approached a prominent Hamburg businessman to see if he was interested in buying an island. The man bought Cousine Island together with two others - sight unseen - and paid Vladi five percent commission; which was the start of his amazing lifetime business. His favourite saying is, “You don’t have to be a millionaire to own your own island! Indeed if you can afford a car you can afford your own island.” And in the last 35 years, billionaires have been joined by those of more modest means, in recognising that a private island is the only reliable means of escaping the crowds and pressures of modern living.

The majority of Vladi’s transactions have been between R1.3 million and R5.2 million with the average price being around R1,95 million. The largest Island he ever sold was the 3 000 hectare Eigg Island on the west coast of Scotland; then there was the large and ultra-expensive island Musha Cay in the Bahamas complete with, arguably, the most luxurious resort in the world (approx 150 acres for R400 million). One of the last untouched paradises in the Seychelles, Therese Island, was also on the market (150 acres) for R34 million. But the island with the oldest existing deed is Long Coco Cat, in the Caribbean waters of Belize, a snip at R2.3million. The same price as a luxury one-bedroomed apartment in central Cape Town.

Here is a selection of current mini paradises on offer to whet your appetite.

VAL DE VIE | LIVING BONE FISH CAY Size: approx. 13.5 acres Price: US$ 14 500 000 Location: Abacos, Bahamas This unique 13-acre island is located in the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas and takes its name from its interesting shape and the amount of bonefish in this region. Over the past seven years this formerly deserted island was turned into a first-class luxury getaway. Five buildings totalling 15 000 square feet were constructed of the finest materials imported from Europe and the United States. The entire complex is hurricane-proof. The property is fully air-conditioned, and Bone Fish Cay generates its own electricity and has its own desalination plant. All communication services (telephone, fax, internet) are provided. A newly and very solidly built jetty and several boats are included with the island.

MOTO MEUTE Price: US$ 1 350 000 Size: Approx. 1.6 acres Location: In the lagoon of Tahaa, French Polynesia This is the textbook circular “dream island” in the lagoon of Tahaa with views of Bora Bora! It has that certain island romance as if Robinson Crusoe were sharing the magnificent sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, palm trees and superb vistas.

There is a wonderful Polynesian-style shuttered bungalow already on the island with one large room, a kitchen, large terrace and sheltered barbecue area. area. The place to revel in the magic of the South Pacific!

I LHA SAP O E IRA Size: approx. 0.67 acres Price: US$ 399 000 Location: 50 miles South of Rio in the direction of Angra dos Reis The island is located 10 minutes by boat from the mainland, gas station, town centre, yacht club. It includes three small private beaches facing idifferent directions, fresh water piped from a natural spring, bamboo bar, storage rooms, a variety of fruit trees including bananas, papayas, and avocados.

On one side the island is mostly flat but the other side has a hill surrounded by trees to ensure privacy. A dock can be built to moor boats that require depth, while smaller boats are docked right onto the sandy beaches. The island is situated in a large bay surrounded by other islands, making the waters very calm and clear. The island views include other islands, the mainland and an uninterrupted view of a spectacular waterfall cascading over the mountains. The crystal clear waters are excellent for boating, swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, jet skiing and sailing. The area is very safe, quiet, relaxing and beautiful.

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THE DÄMMAN L IGHTHO U SE Price on request Size: approx. 0,14 acre + lot on mainland Location: Kalmarsund A highly unique property, developed by carefully renovating and modernizing an old open-water lighthouse - there is nothing quite like it in the world! Operated as a luxury hotel and conference centre, it can be returned to a single family residence. The secluded location offers tranquillity and silence interrupted only by the sound of the waves.

TESSERA ISLAND Price: US$ 4 500 000 Location: Lagunna di Venice, Italy Beautifully located in the Venice Lagoon and just five minutes by water taxi from the bustle of St Mark’s Square, Venice’s waterways and cultural and historical heritage. Tessera is probably the only part of Venice that isn’t sinking and offers spectacular views of the city. An 18-century villa boasts a vine-covered loggia and a cultivated garden with roses, pines, magnolia, palm tress and fruit tress. The villa and outbuildings were renovated in 1985 to a very high standard. A boat and boathouse are included in the sale.

LI TTLE I RON SIDE ISL AN D Price: US$ 975 000 Size: 1.3 acres Location: Thousand Islands, St. Lawrence River, New York This is one of the finest island retreats in the Thousand Islands region. The waterfront house features five bedrooms and six bathrooms and is currently configured to sleep 11. The great room features a massive stone double-sided fireplace that opens into the large screened-in porch. The kitchen is modernised and includes a large pantry and laundry on the same level as the bedrooms. There are two additional cottages each with a bathroom and 5 additional beds. A 375 sq ft floating dock is used for recreational purposes.

KAULB AC H ISLAND Price: US$ 14 500 000 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Kaulbach Island is peaceful, private and sheltered. The Island is part of the drumlin formations along the south coast of Nova Scotia etched by glaciers millions of years ago, leaving behind a fifty-seven acre island, now transformed into softwood forests and meadows. To walk the perimeter of the island you will cover a mile of shoreline. The island hosts a magnificent Cape Cod style-home with 11 000 square feet of luxurious space. Other major features are a double garage with chef’s quarters, a beach cottage, farmhouse, utility outbuildings and a solid pile-driven wharf with deep anchorage – everything you need is here, including a motorboat and a sailboat.

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