Prestige 24 Febuary 2009

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rolex sailing

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turkish baths ISSUE NO. 24

R39.95

kral speedster 580

Travel your own way.

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contents

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boating & yachting 14 Kral The Speedster 580

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Project IKKO

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Abu Dhabi Yacht Show

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The People's Princess

Dramatically Different

Only Big Boys Allowed

London Boat Show

sail & cruise 34 Sydney Hobart Rolex Yacht Race

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Heineken Cape To Bahia A Local Legend Sets Sail

travel 30 Private Jet

Around The World

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Cape Royale

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Highballs & History

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Turkish Baths

Luxury Hotel and Residence

The Heritage Bar, Hoi An, Vietnam

Heaven In A Hamam

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motoring 38 SSC Ultimate Aero

The World's Fastest Production Car

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Volvo The New XC60

lifestyle 10 Marilyn Monroe The Life Of A Legend

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Guggenheim Bilbao

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Retrospective ŠAt Murakami The Guggenheim Bilbao

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Making Money Meaningful

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On The Runway

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Diamonds

Frank O Gehry's Architectural Landmark

A Mountain In Malawi

The Rise Of Eco-Fashion

One Jewel To Rule Them All

regulars 6 From The Helm 8 GizmosGadgetsGear 74 Cocktails 76 From The Galley 78 Live The Life 80 Making Waves

from the helm It has been a beautiful albeit brutal summer up country. Hard suns and harder rains have combined to leave us with voluptuousness in the veld and in our gardens that reminds one of a lovely description by South African author, André Brink. In one of his novels, Brink sketches the scene of a young farm woman clipping her toenails with shears, looking so fertile he was convinced that if she had to accidentally cut off a toe, another one would just sprout in its place. That, to me, is our country personified.

Everywhere we look, there is metamorphosis. New Acacia shoots reaching for the light where we cut out neighbouring exotic trees; the granadilla saplings from last season finally heavy and dropping their luscious fruits every morning when we walk outside; our house eerily quiet now that our toddler attends his “big boy” nursery school a few mornings each week. The most entertaining conversion to witness this season was the discovery by our kids that granadillas can float in the swimming pool, and that fruit can be used in a game of chase in the water yet still be devoured afterwards. And a musician friend was sharing just the other day how the best oboes in the world are only made from granadilla stems – beauty in the making in so many forms, burgeoning from our own garden trellises.

We have also had the chance to revisit back copies of Prestige and have marvelled at the metamorphosis that is reflected in its editorial mix. As we learned over time, so our content has grown and changed into something richer than what we could have envisaged a year ago. It is in this spirit of metamorphosis that we have selected features for this edition. Read about the physical transformation you may experience from a visit to a Turkish Hamam, or the spiritual awakening of a rich man such as Tony Smith, an Englishman now responsible for the economic improvement of hundreds of thousands of Malawi’s poorest people. We focus on how the fashion industry is reshaping itself through eco-friendly garments, while our boating and motoring features show the new look on the water and on land for the next season. Everywhere, things keep changing and the pace never relents. We like it, because that is what our generation was conditioned to do: embrace change without hesitation.

However, award-winning author Milan Kundera, in his novel Slowness suggests that the quality of a memory is inverse to the speed at which things happen. The best things come to mind when we slow down, escape the rush, and stop to smell the roses. His point was well proven recently when one of the world’s leading violinists anonymously played a few of Beethoven’s best pieces on a US$300,000 violin while sitting in a Washington DC subway station during rush hour. Only six people actually stopped to listen, and he collected the princely sum of $32 for his effort. The same people who were rushing past him would normally gladly shell out between $400 and $500 a ticket to see him play in a concert hall. Here, though, they missed the very beauty right under their noses.

And it was for free. So rush out there and chase and change, but once in a while, slow down to lookout for the small miracles happening around you.

Enjoy the read.

Charl & Tanya

In our next edition: The Rothschild Dynasty

Issue 24 PUBLISHER: Chapel Lane Media PO Box 13404, Hatfield, 0028 Tel: +27 82 452 8110 Fax: +27 866 78 6370 mail@prestigemag.co.za MANAGING EDITOR: Charl du Plessis (MBA Yale, PhD Darden) charl@prestigemag.co.za EDITOR: Tanya Goodman (PhD Yale) tanya@prestigemag.co.za Lifestyle EDITOR: Toni Ackermann toni@prestigemag.co.za ADVERTISING: Boating & Yachting Rui Barbosa +27 84 290 2070 rui@prestigemag.co.za Gauteng Adie Pranger +27 83 601 2291 +27 11 465 1572 adie@prestigemag.co.za Lifestyle & Property Lodene Grobler +27 79 876 4130 lodene@prestigemag.co.za DESIGN & LAY-OUT: Henco Meintjes Virtual Da Vinci Creative Room SUBSCRIPTIONS: SMS the words SUBSCRIBE PRESTIGE, followed by your name and email address, to +27 82 452 8110.

Alternatively, email your name, cell number and delivery address to mail@prestigemag.co.za.

Print: Business Print, Pretoria DISTRIBUTION: Prestige is available at major news stand outlets and through subscription. Prestige is freely distributed in leading five-star hotels and airport lounges, as well as upscale coffee shops, wellness centres and spas, and waiting areas for private banking clients.

Cover Images Credits: Main: Wiltel Marine. Thumbnails: iStockphoto.com; Gallo Images/Getty Images; Shelby SuperCars; Carlo Borlenghi for Rolex

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All rights are reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. PRESTIGE is published by Chapel Lane Media. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or any of its clients. Information has been included in good faith by the publisher and is believed to be correct at the time of going to print. No responsibility can be accepted for errors and omissions. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information and reports in this magazine, the publisher does not accept any responsibility, whatsoever, for any errors, or omissions, or for any effects resulting there from. No part of this publication may be used, or reproduced in any form, without the written permission of the publisher.

Copyright © 2009. All copyright for material appearing in this magazine belongs to Chapel Lane Media and/or the individual contributors. All rights reserved.

GizmosGadgetsGear Get off to a Great Start with the Suunto M3 Sailing Watch In competitive sailing and windsurfing, getting a good start is all about being in the right place at the right time. The Suunto M3 Sailing Watch is a wrist-top computer that helps you to determine the favoured end of the start line and displays the time to the start line so as to help you cross the finish at just the right moment.

The watch uses loud signals, large numbers and a race timer for easy synchronisation with the race committee.

By using the boat's compass and the watch’s rotating bezel, it is simple and quick to decide to which end of the line you should steer your craft. Out of action the Suunto M3 allows you to calculate the bearing to the next race marker before you reach the turning point and compare it to the wind direction. You can thus steer the correct course sooner rather than later. You can also mark the wind direction with the rotating bezel to track wind shifts, monitor the race time, and add time stamps (interval times). After the race, you can check the watch’s logbook to review the race times and time stamps. Other features include a sailing timer adjustable from 1 to 99 hours; synchronisation down to the minute; countdown timer; independent chrono; rotating bezel with 0-360 degree scale; and water resistance up to 30 metres. The watch retails for around R2,500.

For more information or to see a unit contact Manex & Power Marine on +27 11 704 0086 or +27 21 511 7292.

Visit www .suunto.com.

Porsche Design Announces Sporty New Collection Porsche and adidas just released their latest collaborative effort – the Spring/Summer 2009 Porsche Design Sport Collection, the fifth collection that the two companies have presented in the last two years. This year’s collection features a wider range of top quality apparel, footwear and accessories, such as the Running category, which has been extended to include fitness. A new category, Water/Snow, will also be part of this season's range. Noteworthy in this year’s line-up are the Water Products, which were specifically developed for sailing and water related activities. Among these is the Storm Jacket, which features new membrane technology that reacts to changing temperatures and activities, offering moisture vapour permeability at the highest level. It is also wind and waterproof, ensuring optimum body climate. The Horizon is adidas' first luxury shoe specially engineered for the water sport enthusiast. It features a drainage system throughout the foot bed and sole for optimal deviation of water, while a non-marking and abrasion resistant rubber sole with multidirectional grip enables a quicker response over a wet deck. The Spring/Summer Collection features a total of five categories: Water/Snow; Running/Fitness; Driving; Golf; and Tennis, and is already available in selected high-end stores, adidas Sport Performance Concept Stores and Porsche Design Stores. For more information, visit www.porsche-design.com.

Golf Game Getting out of your Range?

In days past, golfers would rely on the expertise of knowledgeable caddies to navigate their way around hazards on the golf course. But amateur golfers are unlikely to have caddies of their own, unless they have a SkyCaddie, that is. The lightweight – just 156g – SkyCaddie SG5 was designed for golfers looking for a SkyCaddie with advanced capabilities and a longer battery life – the lithium-ion battery lasts as long as 14 hours.

SkyGolf’s advanced GPS technology is integrated with the very best Swiss engineering to provide unmatched reliability. The device includes SkyGolf’s patented IntelliGreen technology, enabling golfers to measure the full depth and shape of the green from any angle of approach. It shows a distance for all targets and hazards on any of SkyGolf’s many professionally mapped courses, while its vibrant colour display features automatic backlighting to ensure easy readability no matter the light conditions. For more information visit www.skygolf.com, email sales@skygolf.com.

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To have knowledge one must first have the wisdom to listen At Princess we value our customers above all else. Our most important lessons are learnt through owner feedback, and we aim to deliver the ultimate motor yacht experience through listening to those that know it best.

The goal is simple – quality, innovation and customer care without equal.

V CLASS SPORTS YACHTS: V42 V45 V48 V53 V58 V65 V70 V85 Join our growing club of Princess owners David Abromowitz & Associates (PTY) LTD Marina Centre, West Quay Rd Waterfront 8001 telnr: 021-4190722 fax: 021-4190724 www.yachtbrokers.co.za and email info@yachtbrokers.co.za

PRINCESS

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FLYBRIDGE MOTOR YACHTS: 42 45 50 54 58 62 67 21M 23M 85MY 95MY

g o d d e ss

Marilyn Monroe The Life of a Legend

Marilyn Monroe dominated the silver screen of the fifties and sixties to become, with little doubt, the most famous and indeed the most unforgettable star of the 20th Century. She embodied Hollywood glamour with a radiance and vigour that seized the attention of the world and endeared her to the global consciousness.

Words: TONI ACKERMANN Images: © GALLO IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES; SXC.COM

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ruth be told, anyone who has ever heard of Marilyn Monroe has likely had something to say about her. In fact, she has been the subject of more than 300 biographies and countless documentaries, her image converted into tattoos and silk screens, and her form immortalised into porcelain collectors’ dolls. It has been close on five decades since Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her California home, yet the world remains intrigued by her.

Although she would eventually become the most celebrated actress in film history, Marilyn's beginnings were humble to say the least. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on 1 June 1926, her grandmother, Della Monroe Grainger, later had her baptised Norma Jeane Baker. A difficult childhood had Norma Jeane bouncing from foster home to foster home, orphanage to orphanage, until 1937, when she was taken

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in by Grace McKee, a friend of her mother’s.

But when McKee and her husband had to relocate to the East Coast in the early 1940s, 16-year-old Norma Jeane had two options: marry the next-door neighbour or, once more, become a ward of the state. On 19 June, 1942, Norma Jeane became the wife of 21-year-old Jimmy Dougherty.

When Jimmy left to join the Merchant Marines in the South Pacific, Norma Jeane did what many women of the times were doing and took up a job on the assembly line of a California munitions factory.

Jimmy’s departure could be considered pivotal to the future course of Norma Jeane’s career, as it was during her time at the factory that she found stardom, though quite by accident. A photographer, David Conover, shooting pictures of American women contributing to the war effort spotted the woman he called a “photographer’s dream.” The camera loved Norma Jeane, who quickly became a

favourite pin-up girl, and whose face soon graced the covers of several magazines. In later years, Billy Wilder would say of her ability to photograph beautifully, “She had flesh which photographed like flesh; you felt you could reach out and touch it.

Unique is an overworked word, but in her case it applies. There will never be another one like her, and Lord knows there have been plenty of imitations.”

Jimmy’s return in 1946 left Norma Jeane with another choice to make, this time between her marriage and her career.

Norma Jeane signed her first studio contract with 20th Century Fox in August 1946. She dyed her hair blonde and started using the stage name Marilyn Monroe.

Marilyn’s first role was in the 1947 movie, The Shocking Miss Pilgrim, and though numerous roles and characters followed over the years, it wasn’t until she played Rose Loomis in the 1953 hit, Niagara, that she really became a household name.

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stark contrast to her bright and successful professional career. Her first marriage of convenience ended in divorce, while her 1954 storybook wedding to baseball great Joe DiMaggio, shared a similar fate. While the pair were on honeymoon in Tokyo, Marilyn gave a performance for servicemen stationed in the country. Joe was unhappy with the thousands of eyes ogling his blushing new bride, but Marilyn took it in her stride. The soldiers took it so well there was a near-riot. This new-found penchant for pleasing crowds with her fluttering eyelashes and songbird crooning would haunt the marriage, which did not last the year. Her nuptials to playwright Arthur Miller, who she had met through Lee Strasberg, also spent its time in the

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I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else. – Marilyn Monroe

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Marilyn then took centre-stage in films like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire. When Photoplay magazine voted her “The Best New Actress of 1953,” it became clear that at 27 years of age, Marilyn had a completely captive and dedicated audience.

The following year, Marilyn shed her shallow blonde image. While it had got her this far, it was her talent that she wanted to transport her into the annals of Hollywood history, rather than her platinum locks. She opted to take a protracted pause from her acting career to study under Lee Strasberg at his New York Actors’ Studio.

She took a further leap of faith in 1956 when she opened her own motion picture company, Marilyn Monroe Productions. Sir Laurence Olivier once remarked, “Her [Marilyn’s] work frightened her, and although she had undoubted talent, I think she had a subconscious resistance to the exercise of being an actress. But she was intrigued by its mystique and happy as a child when being photographed; she managed all the business of stardom with uncanny, clever, apparent ease.”

Beneath Marilyn’s obvious physical attractions was a curiously innocent and vulnerable personality. “I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else,” she once said. Clark Gable called her “a kind of ultimate,” saying, “She is uniquely feminine. Everything she does is different, strange and exciting; from the way she talks to the way she uses that magnificent torso. She makes a man proud to be a man.”

But Marilyn’s personal life stood in

spotlight and its five-year lifespan was reportedly punctuated by both an abortion and a miscarriage. This, too, ended in divorce. Quiet whisperings later did the rounds about an affair with not one, but both Kennedy brothers. Of course, no evidence ever surfaced to either confirm or deny these rumours.

Marilyn’s time in front of the camera saw her receive several awards. Her performance in Some Like It Hot garnered

her a Golden Globe for “Best Actress in a Comedy,” while the 1962 Golden Globes named her “Female World Film Favourite,” an award she had won once before, in 1953. Marilyn made the cover of Life magazine twice, once in April 1952 and once in August 1962. More recently in 1995, the US Postal Service featured her on a 32-cent commemorative postage stamp.

American filmmaker Nunnally Johnson once remarked, “Marilyn is a phenomenon of nature, like Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. All you can do is stand back and be awed by her.”

The starlet made her last significant public appearance on 19 May, 1962, when she sang Happy Birthday, Mr President at a televised birthday bash for President John F Kennedy. Within three months of this, the world reeled in shock when, on 5 August, she was found dead in her Los Angeles home. There was little evidence to go on and many questions remained unanswered. Her death was pegged as a probable suicide, as nothing could concretely affirm whether it was suicide or homicide. On 8 August 1962, Marilyn Monroe was interred in a crypt – number 24 – at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery. Her eulogy was delivered by friend Lee Strasberg.

Perhaps author Paul Rudnick put it best when he said, “Marilyn's tabloid appeal is infinite but ultimately beside the point.

Whatever destroyed her – be it Hollywood economics or rabid sexism or her own tormented psyche – pales beside the delight she continues to provide. At her peak, Marilyn was very much like Coca-Cola or Levi's – she was something wonderfully and irrepressibly American.” 

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gleam

As a retailer, Wiltel Marine has been in the boating industry for five years, importing and selling boats that they deem best suited to the South African market. Their latest offering – the Kral Speedster 580 – is now available to covet and customise as desired. Although Kral boats have been available internationally for many years, Wiltel Marine only recently identified this as an exceptional opportunity for the South African market.

And in a market where so many smaller boats are available, it is exciting to see a totally new take on this very competitive sector.

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Kral The Latest Offering from Wiltel Marine

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Speedster

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Words & Images: Š Wiltel Marine

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he first Kral Speedster 580, as featured on Prestige’s front cover, recently arrived in South Africa. In Turkish, Kral means king, a connotation that becomes crystal clear when laying eyes on this manufacturer’s boats.

This beautiful craft combines a timeless style with a modern colour scheme and an abundance of handcrafted stainless steel and teak. The design is a contemporary take on a classic retro concept, aptly called a Speedster. This boat is reminiscent of two of history’s greats: those old wooden classics made famous by Brigitte Bardot on the Italian Riviera, and the most legendary of Porsche Speedsters as driven by James Dean. The bullet silver and the burgundy interior accentuate this Speedster image even further.

The Kral boats, which cover the smaller segment of the market – up to 30 foot, are handcrafted in Istanbul, Turkey, to every client’s exact requirements. Each boat is therefore unique in the sense that the hull colour, interior upholstery and trimmings are crafted and colour coded to each client’s particular needs. Add to this the custom-designed trailer manufactured in South Africa and you have the ultimate Vaal River status symbol. If you and your loved one would like to leave the kids and their wakeboarding boat behind and set off on a luxurious, albeit high-performance sunset cruise, then this is your best choice.

For those who like to take the friends and family along, Kral offers the 700 Classic and Open versions, which boast a bit more seating space. The 900 offers a cabin below,

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designed to your exact requirements for lazy weekends away. It is not difficult to picture these boats years from now, having become collector’s items because of their timeless and inimitable design.

When it comes to manufacturing, no expense has been spared. Each hull is handlaid using 12 layers of GRP, and the gelcoat is meticulously selected to match the final colour of the boat. Should you opt for bullet silver, Cadillac beige, Ferrari red or any other exotic custom colour, then this is sprayed over the gelcoat using only the best quality automotive paints available.

The colour is then protected with a UV coating. All the stainless steel fittings are handmade – the rub rail for example is crafted out of flat 3mm stainless steel, with the engine hatch hinges also made out of 3mm stainless steel. On closer inspection one can see that even the engine room is laid out with a stainless pan and teak wood.

These lighter wood colour lines are achieved by gluing many strips of light and dark wood together, in a painstaking process.

The wood is then sanded and sealed using six layers of UV resistant varnish. Why so much effort? The reason is simple: passion goes into making each boat and the end result shows it.

Wiltel Marine has accurately identified a product that has its own niche market and stands out above the many smaller boat offers out there. With the full range of sizes and custom options, each boat will reflect its owner’s distinctive tastes and preferences – in short, your Kral will truly represent who you are. It is the boat for the man who thought he had everything.

Every now and then someone comes along and rewrites the rule books on how to do business. About six years ago Willie Truter, before becoming the Managing Director of Wiltel Marine, approached a number of dealers as he was interested in purchasing a boat for personal use.

After six months of research he settled on a previously-owned boat from one of the dealers. Numerous promises were made and Truter, being new to boating, made it a condition of sale that he would receive after-sales support as well as training on his new craft, its equipment

and handling. But no sooner had the payment cleared than said dealer disappeared to pursue his next deal. This was a defining moment for Truter, and led to him forming Wiltel Marine.

Truter spent the following months ensuring that he found the right product for the South African market, which proved a difficult task. A visit to the Bavaria Yachtbau factory was the deciding factor.

This company is the largest serial production facility in Europe, and research revealed that in the 30- to 50-foot segment, South Africans wanted not only value for money,

but more boat for their money. Wiltel Marine ordered their first two boats.

Interestingly enough, one of these boats recently sold for a third time at its original selling price. There are many factors influencing whether a boat maintains its price. The most important of these is brand recognition and associated with this, the demand for previously-owned boats. If the brand is one associated with quality and the boat is serviced well, then it should achieve an excellent resale price.

Wiltel Marine has set several industry standards that will be difficult for new

entrants to rival. “When you start in the business and set performance levels high, then you have to achieve the sales levels to maintain these standards in the long term,” says Geoff Tregaskis, Wiltel Marine Sales Manager. “For example, we launched our Dockside Package, which essentially means that the boat you buy comes together with everything you need to immediately use it.

Because the boats are SAMSA surveyed for safety they come complete with all the required safety equipment. At the coast this includes the life raft and VHF radio for Category B vessels. We also supply mooring lines, fenders and shore power cables.”

With the boat sorted the next step is to consider the skipper. Wiltel Marine has its own Bavaria Sea School, and each boat sold includes free Skippers’ training for two people. Says Tregaskis, “Boating is more often than not a family event, and since Wiltel believes in selling a lifestyle, it makes sense to provide training for two family members. Having two skippers onboard is also more reassuring to passengers.”

Once the boat is ready and the skipper qualified, training is required on the use of the boat’s equipment and handling. Wiltel staff members are content to spend as much time as needed with the owner to ensure he or she is able to handle the boat with confidence, and to handle it in most weather conditions. Wiltel will take care of the craft’s services and annual lift-out, and offers a full valet service. In short, Wiltel

goes out of its way to ensure boat owners get the most out of their investment.

Technical Manager Erik Bjerring looks after all the mechanical aspects of boating.

Even if your equipment expires its warranty period, Bjerring will arrange maintenance to be carried out on it. Research has shown that regularly serviced boats garner a much higher resale value than those whose service intervals are neglected. A properlymaintained boat also ensures the gelcoat and upholstery wears well against South Africa’s harsh elements.

Wiltel Marine has selected agencies perfectly suited to local markets and offers a complementary range of products and brands. The Bavaria brand addresses the segment’s need for value for money. These boats are also well manufactured. Although mass produced, each hull is still hand laid to ensure excellent strength and rigidity, the reason why Bavaria boats are heavier than other boats of the same size. The weight ensures a more comfortable ride and means the hull is better suited to withstanding hard impacts. Bavaria Motor Boats are the biggest players in the 30- to 50-foot segment, with anything larger than this definitely being for the more serious investor. On the coast, Bavaria boats have outsold most other brands combined.

Wiltel did its homework and discovered that in the 50-foot plus segment, the buying decision changes, as the customer requires a higher degree of customisation

and usually places a higher emphasis on styling. Aicon Yachts were chosen to cover this segment of the market. Aicon builds yachts up to 110 foot, all of which are handcrafted in Sicily and, consequently, the craftsmanship on the interiors is of an exceptionally high standard. This, together with the beautiful lines associated with Italian craft, makes a stunning and truly luxurious boat. Aicon designs have won a number of awards at the prestigious Cannes Boat Show. In addition, the first 56Fly was chosen by the Cape Grace hotel as its charter boat of choice.

Truter says that Wiltel does not, and never will, claim to be the answer to every boater’s exact needs. “What we do really well for our clients,” says Truter, “is to select a brand and product type that we feel is of the utmost quality and which we believe will provide an excellent return on investment.” Wiltel also systematically and thoroughly addresses the needs of the consumer who starts out small and then grows in boat size over time. “Combine this with the high level of service we offer,” concludes Truter, “and you are assured of a happy client and a great boat.”  For further information contact: • Geoff Tregaskis at Wiltel Marine on +27 82 562 5145 • Or Call 0860 MARINE (0860 627 463) • www.wiltelmarine.co.za • www.kralboats.co.za

70/72 Bree St.Cape Town. T +27 (0)21 487 9060 1 Jellicoe Avenue.Johannesburg. T +27 (0)11 343 8900 Info@twiice.com www.twiice.com

Guggenheim Bilbao Frank O Gehry’s Architectural Landmark

Words: CHARL DU PLESSIS Images: © GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM

gawk

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a magnificent example of the most groundbreaking architecture to have come out of the 20th Century. The building, which was completed in 1997, has become an architectural landmark that reshaped the destiny of this industrious Basque city on the Nervi贸n River in Northern Spain.

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he famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright gave New York one of its most recognisable buildings when he was commissioned to design the now-famous spiralshaped Guggenheim Museum in New York. But when another architect, Frank O Gehry, took on the 24,000-square metre Bilbao project for the Guggenheim Foundation, he set tongues wagging with a design so bold in shape and choice of materials that some hail it as the greatest building of our time.

The building is instantly recognisable for its twisting, curving lines and its interconnected volumes, some of which are limestone-covered orthogonal shapes while others are more organic volumetry and covered in a metallic titanium skin, not quite unlike fish-scales. The different volumes are linked with large glass walls that give the Museum an air of light transparency. Gehry started the design working from paper and wood models that were then digitally processed into the most advanced aerospace three-dimensional designware available at the time.

Since 1962, when he first opened his design doors, Gehry has built his reputation on the choice of new forms and materials such as copper, zinc, stainless steel and titanium. His renowned sensitivity to the surrounding cultural and visual context in which his structures are placed is welldemonstrated in the Bilbao project, where

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the Museum links the estuary on the Nervión River to the city’s classical district.

Walkways and squares add soul to this neighbourhood of Abandoibarra, and together with the La Salvae Bridge, central Bilbao’s high rises and Mount Artxanda, the Guggenheim Museum indisputably shapes the city’s visual character.

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The building is instantly recognisable for its twisting, curving lines.

Inside the building, the true heart is the atrium, measuring over 50 metres in height and flooded with light thanks to enormous windows looking out onto the estuary and the surrounding hills. This atrium is one of the most characteristic features of Gehry’s design, with calculations made estimating its enormous height at one-and-a-half times that of the famous New York Guggenheim spiral of Lloyd Wright. At the top of the atrium is a “metallic flower” that spreads light across the entire space.

Twenty galleries, some hosting

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permanent collections, are distributed over three levels, interconnected through the atrium by a system of curved walkways suspended from the ceiling and glass elevators. Rectangular in shape, the classic galleries are identified from outside by their stone cladding, some with high ceilings and some split-level. Skylights shower sunbeams into the galleries while an opening in the floor of the upper level forms a type of tube that channels light through.

Spaces of unusual irregularity occupy a further 3,300 square metres of the Museum, noticeable from outside by their titanium cladding and atypical shapes.

Inside, visitors experience these spaces as colossal yet hospitable exhibition areas.

Large format artworks are housed in a special gallery measuring 30 metres in width and 130 metres in length, with no columns and a specially prepared floor to withstand the weight of the works installed. There is close harmony between the architectural shapes and the content of each gallery, making orientation within the gallery easier and permitting visitors to view the exhibition areas from different perspectives.

The Museum’s collection features works

by some of the most significant artists of the second half of the 20th Century, among them Eduardo Chillida, Yves Klein, Willem de Kooning, Robert Motherwell, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Clyfford Still, Antoni Tàpies, and Andy Warhol.

Gehry has won the most prestigious awards in the field of architecture, including the highest honour – the “Pritzker Architecture Prize,” dedicated to those “who have made significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture.” In 1992, he received the “Japanese Praemium Imperiale Award” for his lifetime contributions to architecture. In 1994, he landed the first “Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize,” one of the richest cultural awards and one established to recognise exceptional contributions. In 1982 and 1985, and from 1987 to 1989, Gehry held the Charlotte Davenport Professorship in Architecture at Yale University. In 1984 he held the Eliot Noyes Chair at Harvard University.

To view more about current exhibitions or sign up to receive the Guggenheim’s newsletter, visit www.guggenheim-bilbao.es. 

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Takashi Murakami; The World of Sphere, 2003. Acrylic on canvas mounted on board 350 x 350 cm (137 13/16 x 137 13/16 inches). Private collection, New York.

Courtesy of Marianne Boesky Gallery, New York. ©2003 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

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At the Guggenheim Bilbao This year the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao will be hosting a comprehensive retrospective of the work of one of the most highly acclaimed and influential contemporary artists to emerge on the Asian art scene in the last century and the only virtual artist to make Time's "100 Most Influential People" list – Japanese artist Takashi Murakami.

Words: GUGGENHEIM BILBAO Images: © GION; takashi murakami

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rganised by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), in collaboration with the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the exhibition, titled © Murakami, invites you on a special journey through the transgressive artistic project of the Japanese artist. In conjunction with the sinuous, luminous spaces of the Frank Gehry building, Murakami's work takes on a new dimension.

Curated by Paul Schimmel, Chief Curator at MOCA, the exhibition features more than 90 works across various media: paintings, sculpture, industrial design, anime, merchandising and fashion; as well as some of Murakami’s most important collaborative projects, revealing this artist's particular universe and chronologically tracing his career.

Occupying 2,000 square meters of exhibition space, the entire third floor of the Museum will be set aside for

Murakami’s work. A central part of the exhibition features a series of works that reflect Murakami's attempt to structure his own reality through an investigation of branding and self-actualisation, which he has done through self-portraiture and by using iconic images.

Born in Tokyo in 1962, Takashi Murakami was trained in the traditional Japanese painting style for which he obtained a PhD from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. He

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Takashi Murakami Flower Matango (b), 2001-2006 Fiberglass, resin, oil paint, lacquer, acrylic plates, and iron 400 x 300 x 250 cm (157 1/2 x 118 1/8 x 98 7/16 inches) Private Collection.

Courtesy of Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, Paris and Miami. ©2001-2006 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

later coined the artistic style of "Superflat" in his own writings and, starting in 2001, subsequently curated a series of exhibitions under the theme entitled Superflat, Coloriage, and Little Boy. For Murakami, the term “Superflat” refers to a tendency toward twodimensionality in Japanese visual art, animation, graphic design, and fashion, which he traces back to Japanese painting in the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries. It has become a movement in its own right.

“Superflat” theory is characterised

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mainly by its reference to twodimensionality, but it also blurs the boundary between high art and low art and provides a critical perspective on the structure of art itself. Murakami's relationship with anime (Japanese animation) and manga (Japanese comics) is central to the aesthetic concept of this artist, who came to the forefront in the 1990s. Both genres are, in Murakami’s own words, “representative of the daily life of modern Japan” and come from the otaku subculture (young anime and manga stay-at-home fans). Critics have compared

Murakami’s blending of the low and high art forms with the likes of a Warhol or Lichtenstein. Murakami is passionately committed to challenging the boundaries, to introducing Japanese art and culture the world, and to advancing the status of artists working in this field. © Murakami travelled to MOCA in Los Angeles, the Brooklyn Museum in New York, and the Museum für Moderne Kunst in Frankfurt between 2007 and early 2009, and can now be viewed at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao from 17 February to 31 May 2009. 

g lo b a l

Private Jet Around the World by

For those who believe that living the good life is about doing and experiencing more, private jet holidays seamlessly combine illuminating cultural experiences with new discoveries in remote and compelling parts of the globe, difficult to reach in comfort by any other means.

To cater to the increasing demand for this style of travel, Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has introduced a global portfolio of private jet programmes.

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Words: ELLA TURNER/ABERCROMBIE & KENT Images: © ABERCROMBIE & KENT

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ne such programme is A&K’s “Nine World Wonders” trip, which visits some of the world’s most intriguing marvels on one remarkable journey of 26 days, among them Machu Picchu, Easter Island, the Sydney Opera House, Angkor Wat, Shwedagon Pagoda, the Taj Mahal, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Petra and the Pyramids of Giza. And the price tag? The trips start from around US$89,800 per person, double occupancy, and space is limited to 52 people.

By converting and completely redesigning the interior of a Boeing 757-200ER jet that typically seats 186 passengers, A&K offers its clients a sophisticated and stylish home-awayfrom-home environment. The craft has a soothing colour palette, handsome teak accents and an inviting Sky Lounge arranged in a way that sets the stage for a perfect dinner, a card game or lively conversation. Grey leather club seats with extended-recline capability prove that comfort is a priority onboard.

In-lounge dining is available on all but the shortest flights. A private chef and assistant seek out the freshest ingredients at each destination and prepare unforgettable in-flight meals, all of which are accompanied by a selection of fine wines and champagnes. Onboard service is unobtrusive but ever-present, with one cabin attendant for every seven passengers. Luggage is managed by a dedicated onboard Luggage Manager, ensuring passenger belongings are loaded and unloaded, delivered and protected.

On the ground, A&K’s on-site offices make it possible to experience these mustsee sights from exceptional vantage points, dine in unusual venues, and engage in conversation with interesting local personalities eager to share illuminating insights about their culture and history.

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Seamless service is provided by Tour Directors chosen from the highest ranks of A&K’s international coterie of professionals.

These people make ideal travelling companions: experienced, affable, intelligent, and well-informed.

The thoughtfully-paced itinerary eliminates the single-night stays common on many trips and replaces them with two or three nights in most locations, affording enough time to absorb the sights and sounds of each destination.

Gracious hospitality, elegant décor and inspiring views are hallmarks of the hotels A&K selects, each offering a distinctive sense of place. Guests, for example, enjoy Historical Suites at the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, home of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Accommodations at the Four Seasons Sydney offer panoramic views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House, while Landmark Rooms at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor look out onto lush, landscaped French gardens.

In many destinations, guests have the choice of several tempting “Design Your Day” options. Explore the length and breadth of Easter Island on foot with a scenic walking tour that visits spectacular archaeological sites; climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for an exhilarating fullcircle view of one of the world’s most beautiful harbours; fly over the lush Cambodian countryside to Beng Mealea Temple, abandoned for more than 800 years; or embark on a four-wheel drive expedition to the “Garden of Egypt,” the country’s largest desert oasis, where fossilised skeletons 40 million years old illustrate the evolution of whales from land-based to marine mammals.

A&K’s Private Jet Division has designed and operated dozens of private jet programmes on a variety of luxury aircraft to destinations around the world, and can provide custom-designed jet itineraries for families and private groups as well. To register your interest

with Abercrombie & Kent, call +1 800 554 7094 or visit www.akprivatejet.com. 

Nine Cultural Wonders of the World: Peru, Easter Island, Australia, Cambodia, Myanmar, India, Oman, Jordan, and Egypt.

• Board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu, the ancient citadel of the Incas, located on a narrow peninsula high above the Urubamba River.

• Walk through the volcanic quarry on Easter Island where hundreds of giant stone moai were laboriously carved – and some abandoned in varying stages of completion.

• Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Sydney Opera House, a modern wonder and icon, and attend a performance in one of its theatres.

• Explore Angkor Wat with a preservation specialist who explains the struggle to protect this remarkable complex of temples, palaces and terraces amid two decades of civil unrest.

• Marvel at Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda, a world landmark plated with solid gold and inlaid with jewels.

• Experience the power of the Taj Mahal, a monument to love that no photograph can fully capture.

• Gaze in wonder at Muscat’s Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a modern marvel that can hold up to 20,000 worshippers.

• Follow the ancient trading route to the “Lost City” of Petra.

• Learn about the latest discoveries in Egypt, before joining a camel caravan to a “Thousand and One Nights”-style dinner overlooking the Pyramids of Giza.

go

Rolex

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is widely regarded as one of the toughest tests of seamanship in the sport of sailing. Almost every year, heavy weather conditions are encountered on the course as the fleet heads south in the Tasman Sea, crossing the eastern part of Bass Strait on the way. The notoriety of the race comes from its ability to offer up wild conditions with little warning.

Words: TANYA GOODMAN Images: Š Carlo Borlenghi; daniel forster; both for rolex

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ass Strait, nicknamed “the paddock” has a nefarious reputation. It can be dead calm or spectacularly rough.

The water is relatively shallow and the winds can be fierce: two elements that often come together creating a steep and difficult sea for yachts. After “the paddock,” the third leg – down the east coast of Tasmania – takes the fleet past coastal holiday resorts and fishing ports with mountains towering in the background.

Approaching Tasman Island, the coastline comprises massive cliffs, sometimes

shrouded in fog. The winds are often fickle and vary in strength and direction within a few miles. Sailing in these waters demands great tactical skill. After turning into Storm Bay at Tasman Island, sailors may be tempted to think the race is almost completed, but there are still 40 miles of hard sailing ahead of them. Yachts can be left behind in the maze of currents and frustrating wind conditions.

Along with the Rolex Fastnet Race in the UK and the Newport Bermuda Race in the US, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is one of the world’s three biggest

offshore classic yacht races. Over the past 63 years, the 628-nautical mile Rolex Sydney Hobart has become an icon of summer sport in Australia, starting annually from Sydney Harbour on 26 December.

Those who sail the race often say the first and last days are the most exciting. The start of the race attracts hundreds of spectator craft, and hundreds of thousands of people line the shore as helicopters buzz above the fleet, filming for TV stations around the world.

The final day at sea is tense as crews fight to beat their rivals, while looking forward to the traditional Hobart

welcome and to relaxing and celebrating their experiences.

This year’s race marked the 10th anniversary of 1998’s tragic event in which six sailors lost their lives in some of the most extreme conditions ever experienced at sea. As the worst storm encountered in the history of the race began to build strength, at least 12 competing yachts reported west and southwesterly winds of up to 80 knots and seas of 15 metres, frequently 20 metres and more, as this so-called “Bass Strait Bomb” exploded. A third of the fleet reported average wind speed of over 60 knots. As one crew member described

conditions, “The sea was sheet white from the wind with white-outs coming through the gusts.” Several yachts reported being rolled 180 degrees and more. Several more than once. Of the 115 boats that started the race, 71 retired, 44 finishing after battling across Bass Strait under storm trysails and storm jibs, sometimes down to just the storm jib or even bare poles. In a remarkable search and rescue operation, 56 crew members were rescued by helicopters and surface vessels from nine stricken yachts or life rafts, five yachts sank, and six crew members perished at sea.

At the 2008 award ceremony, Matt Allen, Commodore of the organising club,

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia(CYCA) pointed to the constructive lessons learned from the 1998 tragedy, explaining how “the sport has seen a positive impact across the world in safety and the education and management of dealing with emergency situations.” Specifics include the design and introduction by the CYCA of a safety sea survival course, which has been adopted worldwide through other ocean races and proved itself again this year. Said Allen, “The abandonment and successful rescue this year of all 14 crew members from Georgia has highlighted again the value of the course.”

This year, a fleet of 100 boats including 11 overseas entries fought for victory, with an unexpectedly close battle between the super maxis. Bob Oatley's canting-keeled design Reichel/Pugh 98 Wild Oats XI took line honours for a record fourth successive year after trailing Grant Wharington's Don Jones-designed canting-keeled Skandia.

Four of the sensationally fast downwind TP52s filled the first four placings overall on handicap. Bob Steel's Quest won the race's major trophy, the Tattersall's Cup, for the overall winner on IRC corrected time, just ahead of Alan Whiteley's Cougar II. Both are Farr designs. Graeme Wood's Judel/Vrolijk-designed Wot Now was third and Syd Fischer's Farr-designed TP52 Ragamuffin fourth. Wood's Wot Now also won the Rolex Trophy Rating Series, the major warm-up event for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

In the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, not everyone can be victorious, but just to sail the course is to be a winner. 

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Shelby

The World’s Fastest Production Car In the glamorous world of supercars, wild claims abound as to which is the most powerful, which is the fastest, which handles the best, and which is the most striking. The SSC Ultimate Aero need not boast idly – it holds the official Guinness Book of World Records certificate to prove its status as the world’s fastest production car.

Words & Images: © SSC

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S

helby SuperCars (SSC) is an American supercar company founded in 1999 by automotive enthusiast Jerod Shelby. Headquartered in Tri-Cities, Washington, the area is also the hometown of Jerod Shelby and home to his dream. Fuelled by his passion for racing and automotive culture, SSC's success is a true realisation of the American Dream.

SSC was initiated with the goal of creating a world class automotive manufacturer. Seven years of development culminated in 2007 with the production of the Ultimate Aero. A major step in accomplishing the company’s vision was made on 13 September 2007, when the Ultimate Aero became the World's Fastest Production Car as verified by the Guinness Book of World Records.

The Ultimate Aero will receive several refinements for the 2009 model year. The SSC engineering team equipped the vehicle with a 15 percent increase in horsepower, a revamped front fascia design, and an array of important interior upgrades. The most substantial change is an SSC-designed, one-piece billet aluminium engine block. A milestone for the limited-production automobile manufacturer, the new block improves structural integrity and oiling capabilities allowing SSC to boost the power output to 1,287 horsepower while also improving

durability. Armed with the more powerful new engine, the 2009 Ultimate Aero will be able to reach world record speeds of 430km/h, raising the benchmark for supercars and pushing the limits of current production car technology.

In order to accommodate the 2009 Ultimate Aero’s fuel system requirements, SSC turned to American company Aeromotive to develop a flawless system.

The aggressive nose is redesigned with enhanced aerodynamics to accommodate the 2009 Ultimate Aero’s higher top speed, while carbon fibre louvers on the side intakes draw in an additional 20 percent of air into the radiators for improved cooling. The enhancements in overall performance will widen the already sizeable gap between the Ultimate Aero and its competitors.

The 2009 Ultimate Aero also introduces the AeroBrake, a rear spoiler system that deploys under braking situations. Finished in carbon fibre, the rear spoilers actuate up an additional 20cm when the brake pedal is depressed.

The speed of the spoiler actuation is set by the amount of brake pedal pressure.

The complete AeroBrake system can be disabled by the push of a button for town driving or in situations where braking and down-force assistance are not necessary.

Rounding out the 2009 Ultimate Aero’s improvements is a revamped

interior. A redesigned dash prominently displays sleek, exposed carbon fibre dash halves and inset air vents. Carbon fibre accents run along the doorsills, surround the new gauge cluster and continue onto a revised steering column, which includes an analogue speedometer and tachometer with a sequential shift light integrated into the tachometer needle. The new centre console incorporates a digital temperature control unit and tyre pressure monitor along with an Azentek PC-based Infotainment unit. The revolutionary Azentek unit offers all the capabilities of a PC and processes SSC’s onboard diagnostic software.

Competing with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti, and Koenigsegg (to name a few), SSC has, and will continue to, exponentially accelerate in its development and production of world class supercars. SSC has plans for a 350+ km/h, four-door, luxury sports sedan, which will be the pinnacle of the class in which it belongs. Behind closed doors, the company is also pioneering revolutionary Green Technology for implementation in its supercars in the nottoo-distant future.

The Shelby Ultimate Aero retails at approximately $650,000. For more information, contact: • Tel: +1 866 320 4617 • Email: info@sscautos.com. 

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Making Money Meaningful

A Mountain in Malawi Tony Smith made a fortune with his tool hire business in the UK. Then, a conversion experience during a pilgrimage to a small village in Bosnia-Herzegovina resulted in him buying a lease on a mountain in Malawi, among the poorest people in one of the world’s poorest nations, and putting his money to work to change thousands of lives.

Words & Images: Š Charl du Plessis

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here is a small village tucked away in Bosnia-Herzegovina that has remained culturally intact despite 300 years of Ottoman rule and 40 years under the Soviet Union.

Medjugorje, meaning “place between the hills,” is found in a region that is devoutly Catholic. Here, Franciscan priests have managed (despite the communist persecution of the faith that included the execution of priests) to retain the religious character of the area.

In 1981, a group of six local school children started receiving visions of the Virgin Mary, every day at 6:00pm, and which have continued to the present day. As word about these apparitions spread, pilgrims from near and far came to witness the events, and despite the usual hullabaloo of condemnation or accord from different religious and political institutions and individuals, the village remained incredibly peaceful. As the powers that be argued over the veracity of the children’s version, and about the events themselves, the pilgrims kept coming, receiving an open welcome from the local population.

One such pilgrim was Tony Smith, comfortably settled in the English midlands and on his way to the local pub after mass on just another Sunday. In the pub, an extremely tall fellow tapped him on the back and said, “You are the shortest guy in the pub and I am the tallest. Let me buy you a beer.” This was the start of an unlikely friendship. Tony’s new friend persuaded him to join him on a visit to Medjugorje, to “find out if it was true.”

Both men received a conversion experience at the same moment in the little village. It changed Tony’s life. Tony built a 30-foot cross identical to the one on the mountain in Medjugorge on the Mountain of Michiru, in a neighbourhood called Chilomoni, close to Blantyre, Malawi.

Here, pilgrims can walk the fourteen Stations of the Cross to the summit.

Aside from the cross on the Mountain, the team also built the beautiful St James Parish Church, which was modelled on the church in Medjugorje. The long term vision sees Chilomoni attracting large numbers of religious pilgrims to this site, bringing with them economic growth and opportunity for this small, forgotten part of Africa.

The average household income in this area of Malawi is less than R20 per day, and life expectancy has dropped to 37 years. Tony enlisted the help of his nephew, Vincent Owen, who worked as a teacher in Malawi many years before, to assist in setting up the Krizevac Project, aimed at radically addressing the endemic poverty in the region.

Having long since fallen in love with

Malawi and its people, Tony was further inspired by a talk given by US Senator George McGovern to conceive the idea of Mary’s Meals, which aims to feed a school meal to every hungry child in the world. A short time later, Tony was visited in Malawi by his friends from Scottish International Relief (SIR), and to Tony’s delight, they took on the Project and are currently feeding some 320,000 Malawi school children. They have also opened feeding programmes in other developing countries. Tony is fulsome in his praise of SIR. As the Krizevac Project acquired more land, other initiatives were set up, including a school, support for a clinic, a soccer academy with one of Malawi’s biggest soccer stars, and an entrepreneurial complex called The Beehive, along with numerous other schemes that are making a real difference in the day-to-day lives of the community. The Project recycles second-hand bicycles from the UK and redistributes them across Malawi, wherever they are needed most. Small factories are also listed in the Project’s future plans, as is an orchid export nursery.

Despite their enormous impact in the region, both Tony and Vincent, who moved his family with four lovely spirited kids to Blantyre, remain remarkably humble in the way they go about things. They have a team of fantastic local Malawians, arguably the friendliest people on Earth, working side by side on these projects, and learning as they go along. At 72, Tony is as fit as a fiddle, attending mass at 6:00am every morning and always ready to hike up the mountain with visitors as part of his exercise routine.

His only vice seems to be copious amounts of Malawi’s best tea. The occasional anecdote from his life story suggests that he must be quite a character in his hometown and in the business community. But, most of all, one is struck by the inner peace that seems to radiate from a man who found out that he had more than he needed, and that there was a place where he could put the excess to much better use.

If you are interested in learning more about the Krizevac Project’s work in Malawi, or would like to offer support financially or as a working volunteer (current volunteering needs are particularly in the areas of building and construction, and entrepreneurs are also needed to coach new business start ups), contact Vince in Malawi on +265 945 9828 (vince@krizevac.org) or Douglas Racionzer in South Africa on +27 73 414 5878 (douglas@racionzer.net). Blantyre is as short a hop from Johannesburg as what Johannesburg is from Cape Town, and Malawi is a beautiful country to visit.

Air Malawi flies straight into Blantyre three times a week. 

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giga

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giga Over the last few decades we have witnessed an emergence of yachts offering more and more onboard space, resulting in multi-storied architectures which, at times, tend to look more like prestigious residential complexes or cruise ships than the illustrious nautical world of SuperYachts. It is worth considering whether the design of such imposing vessels might actually defeat the goals of intimacy and exclusivity that originally gave birth to luxury yacht cruising. Project IKKO takes a different approach.

Words: TANYA GOODMAN Images: Š STEPHANESCHWARZSTUDIO

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hat would be the attributes of a new way of life in the world of SuperYachts? Can we conceive of a symbol of modern luxury and social achievement that, instead of flaunting obvious signs of wealth, rather encompasses a sense of smart efficiency in the management of resources? Would it be possible to achieve more symbiosis between the machine and its natural environment, both in its content and appearance, which would embody the grace of tradition while embracing the forefront of technology?

Stephane Schwarz, a Franco Swiss designer, who recently founded his own design studio following nearly 20 years of experience in cutting-edge automotive design, is responsible for Project IKKO – the introduction of a dramatically different 125-metre SuperYacht. This will be in collaboration with the technical capabilities of BMT Nigel Gee for the hull concept.

Project IKKO proposes a different design approach, steering away from the traditional SuperYacht blueprint that uses expensive, and often inappropriately durable, materials. So, for example, instead of marble applications, precious inlays and other complex and heavy decorative elements, the Project prioritises state-of-the-art environmentally-friendly technology, including a revolutionary solar cell network and the incorporation of “domotics” – a cutting-edge computing network of applied information and communication technologies. Other touch

points around the yacht that capitalise on innovative technologies include zeropollution refrigeration and air-conditioning systems; a salt water-fed sanitary system; and the use of wood that carries the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label.

As a result, applying onboard intelligence coupled with solar energy and smart systems will reduce the number of crew required to operate the yacht, thereby offering increased intimacy and privacy for the owner and his guests as well as improving energy consumption onboard.

Another highlight of the Project is the distinctiveness of the third upper deck construction. Here, a detached floating volume, or surrounding fly deck, is centrally connected to a circular structure that provides a totally new experience. This platform is designed to accept the owner’s arrival by helicopter and, when not in use, represents the highest deck for sunbathing and open-air entertainment. A staircase gives access to the interior lounge, which accommodates a 360-degree panoramic view with the possibility for the occupants to walk laterally onto a double-glazed seethrough floor. This spectacular observation point enhances the magnificent “floating” sensation and seeks to generate a new relationship with the environment. The forward-most position is occupied by the helm station, from which a rotation of the deck can be activated, thanks to an electricpowered mechanism. When moored outside a harbour, those onboard can benefit from this slow, rotating movement that provides an unprecedented 360-degree view.

The decision to collaborate with BMT

Nigel Gee on the hull concept was dictated by the truly innovative application of technology they offered, called the Pentamaran. The patented Pentamaran hull is a derivative of the stabilised monohull concept featuring a long slender central hull, hydrodynamically optimised without the constraints of needing to be stable.

Stability is then provided by two pairs of outriggers or “sponsons” – a very short and shallow pair aft, and a forward pair clear of the static water surface. These forward sponsons only become immersed as the vessel heels, consequently offering greater stability with no resistance penalty. This means that the Pentamaran provides a wide bodied and stable platform with outstanding sea-keeping characteristics while retaining minimum speed loss in higher sea states. In turn, the hydrodynamic characteristics of the Pentamaran hull lines allow for a remarkable reduction in resistance at constant displacement, which is used to increase the vessel's reliability and to reduce the fuel bill.

Project IKKO is designed for people who aspire to new values and a new definition of luxury, those who hope to integrate intelligent technologies and a sense of personal style in harmony with their natural environment. IKKO is, indeed, a new genre of pleasure craft with a difference that really stands out from the crowd, transforming all expectations of what a performance yacht should be.  Contact StephaneSchwarzStudio Ltd: • Tel: +44 75 15 65 00 43 • Email: mail@stephaneschwarz.com • Website: www.stephaneschwarz.com

grand

Cape Royale Luxury Hotel and Residence The Cape Royale Luxury Hotel and Residence was designed for individuals accustomed to the rare pleasures life has to offer. While all the suites enjoy spectacular views of Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront, the Hotel itself is situated in the artistic heart of Cape Town – Green Point, which perfectly positions guests within close proximity to the city’s finest restaurants, bars and entertainment centres; with the airport, the pristine beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, and the winelands of the Western Cape all within an hour’s drive.

Words & Images: © CAPE ROYALE luxury hotel and residence

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rom its elegant, old-world façade and grand entrance hall to the intimate feel of its 88 designer furnished suites, the Cape Royale Luxury Hotel and Residence impresses guests from the moment they step through its doors. With ample living and entertainment areas in all suites, a choice of two upmarket restaurants – one being the signature grill room, called 1800º – state-of-the-art

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executive meeting rooms and boardrooms, the Equinox Spa and Wellness Centre, a fully-equipped 24-hour gym, and a roof deck pool and bar, the Cape Royale is set to become a landmark hotel in Cape Town.

All the suites enjoy magnificent views of the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain and offer the ultimate in plush accommodation for both business and leisure travellers. Dark woods, luxurious fabrics and fine textures contrast with

accents of crisp white and lime green, which work together to create an atmosphere of enduring elegance. The furniture is custom-made; designed to ensure the utmost comfort and aid guests’ relaxation. Carefully selected artwork quietly emphasises the ambiance of understated luxury, while a thoughtful range of details ensures guests feel a real sense of “home away from home.”

Generously proportioned, each of the Cape

Royale’s suites offers ample space.

All suites have at least one bedroom and en suite bathroom (the Hotel has a selection of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, threebedroom and four-bedroom suites), a lounge and entertainment area, dining room and fully-fitted kitchen with top-ofthe-range appliances.

To achieve a state of total repose, pay a visit to the Hotel’s French boutique-style Equinox Spa and Wellness Centre. Dressed in tranquil shades of blue and indigo, the Spa is an area entirely dedicated to physical and spiritual rejuvenation, and uses only the best internationally-renowned products.

Highly skilled practitioners present guests with a wide choice of treatment options, ranging from an express facial for those “on the move” to a day-long rejuvenating journey. There are seven single and two double treatment rooms, and a large presidential luxury treatment room for special occasions. Equinox is a realm of indulgence, offering individualised professional therapies with a touch of couture elegance.

Various lifestyle essentials are central features of the Hotel and are fully available to both residents and guests.

These include multilingual concierge and reception staff, currency exchange, private check-in and express check-out on request, child minding services, underground parking, valet parking, limousine services, laundry services, complimentary Internet throughout the hotel and a state-of-the-art VOIP telephone system.

Created by a team of passionate individuals with a bold vision and an imaginative flair, and inspired by grand architecture with a profound Parisian influence, the Cape Royale brings together the sophistication of Europe and the vibrant spirit of Africa. Against the iconic outline of Table Mountain and with panoramic views of the Mother City and the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Royale provides an enclave of luxury and refinement in the heart of South Africa’s most beautiful metropolis. 

Cape Royale The Penthouse Every grand edifice has its superlative space and Cape Royale The Penthouse is the pinnacle of this majestic achievement. Where else do you find a rooftop dome with a 360degree view of the sea, city and mountain and which includes views of two World Heritage sites – Table Mountain and Robben Island? Dine beside a personal swimming pool that shows a dazzling reflection of the sky above your own private garden and relish the fact that you own one of only three of these exclusive properties.

Cape Royale The Penthouse is set to become one of the world’s premier home addresses. Phelan Luxury Living is now offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by bringing Cape Royale The Penthouse to the market.

For more information contact Bettina Heiberg on: • +27 83 444 4202 • +27 21 430 0796 • bettina@phelanhold.com

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green

The Rise of Eco-Fashion on the Runway

Change, at least in fashion, starts at the top. Like other aspects of design, the trickle-down effect from high-end to low-end is just part and parcel of how this industry functions. Eco-fashion, though it may have started as just another trend, is now firmly settled in couture and is slowly transforming the landscape.

Words: STARRE VARTAN/FEATURENET.CO.ZA Image: © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

eco-fashion has to be more than a fad.

“This is about rethinking and transforming the fashion industry,” says Marci Zaroff, President of Under the Canopy, an organic home and fashion store. This means everything from convincing farmers to grow organic instead of conventional cotton, changing transportation systems, moving production locally, assessing water treatment, changing the types of dyes used, instituting and enforcing fair labour and educating the consumer about why this is worth spending money on. And all of these things take time.

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co-fashion has been embraced by everyone from emerging designer Philip Lim with his organic cotton separates for Barney's house label, to Calvin Klein with his hemp anklegrazing trench coat and Stella McCartney with her breezy organic cotton dresses.

Maggie Norris is a couturier who designs with gorgeous vintage and antique fabrics.

She has dressed the likes of Nicole Kidman, Diane Keaton, Mischa Barton and Halle Berry. “Seeing eco in high-level fashion elevates it to the top of society,” she says.

“It starts at the top and then people begin to realise it's really cool and it becomes more mainstream.”

And while plenty of us chafe under the costs of organic food and natural products, there are others who can afford higher prices (and are willing to pay them), whether a product is eco-friendly or just happens to be the next cool thing. An upand-coming eco designer gets a leg up, and that designer is then able to use his or her leverage in the industry to reach greater heights.

“We've got to be real with ourselves,” says Summer Rayne Oakes, model and resident fashion expert for Discovery Channel's all-green network Planet Green. “It is worth it to pay more for environmentally conscious design.”

The good news is that there is agreement among the fashion elite: Ecofashion is here to stay. “It's not a trend,” says Oakes. “The way that it's being presented in the press is very ‘trend-driven’, but that doesn't mean it is a trend. What's going to change is not the practice or principle [of eco-design], but the presentation [in the press].”

For change to reinvent the industry,

Luxury is, in part, about the story behind the style

Luxury is, in part, about the story behind the style. It follows, then, that our very understanding of what fashion and style are must change, so that part of the style aesthetic of a ball gown or pantsuit is not just how it looks and how it feels, but also who makes it and what it is made from. “If in fashion, it's style first, we have to define what style is,” argues Julie Gilhart, the Fashion Director for Barney's New York. “Style can then become not just the way something looks, but what it is and what it embodies.”

Like the slow food and organic food movements, there will be a learning curve with eco-fashion until such a time that people understand that what we buy not only determines the quality of our own lives, but also the quality of all the hands that touch what we consume. Could there be such a thing as “slow fashion?” Instead

of throw-away-after-a-season clothes from discount stores, could we all learn to buy just a few beautifully made, luxurious, versatile pieces and wear them year after year? “Let's buy less and make a better product,” says Gilhart. “I think things should be made to last.” 

Sustainable Soles These shoe companies are proving that there's more to walking Earthfriendly than Birkenstocks, rubber flipflops and sweatshop-free sneakers.

• Te Casan: Natalie Portman's line of vegan shoes for the luxe label has received tonnes of press. Ballet flats, loafers, kitten heels and more; all animal-free and sexy-sleek. Visit www.tecasan.com.

• Terra Plana: Locally sourced, very colourful veggie “leather” and real leather (some with recycled materials) shoes, sandals and sneakers for men and women. Visit www.terralana.com.

• Cri de Coeur: Ahead-of-the-trend flat boots, peep-toe ankle booties and faux-fleece tall boots, all from sustainable, vegan materials. Visit www.cri-de-coeur.com.

• Charmone: Glamorous red satin pumps with ruffles and killer boots with buckles. All shoes are vegan and sustainable, with coated microfiber replacing PVC-based materials. Visit www.charmone.com.

• Cydwoq: These unique designs, including creatively shaped toes and old-world details, turn heads.

Cydwoq's boots, shoes and sandals are made from vegetable-tanned leather for men and women.

Visit www.cydwoq.com.

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gumption

Heineken

Cape to Bahia A Local Legend Takes to the Water Now over forty years old, Voortrekker is once again cresting the waves on a South Atlantic Race. Appropriate too, since Voortrekker, inevitably linked with solo sailor Bertie Reed, was the inspiration that first got the great classic ocean race started.

Words: ALEX PETERSEN Images: © TREVOR WILKINS; Brenton Geach

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uilt in cold-moulded wood

by Thesens in Knysna for the South African Ocean Racing Trust, 'Trekker was first raced by Bruce Dalling in the 1968 Observer Singlehanded TransAtlantic Race (or OSTAR), and placed second against a strong international fleet; an amazing achievement that created an understandable pride among South African sailors.

Then, a year later, when Voortrekker was handed over for use by the South African Navy, Admiral HH Biermann remarked that to celebrate its strong maritime tradition perhaps South Africa should have its own ocean race. This started the ball rolling, but the question was “Where to? Australia or Brazil?” Brazil won out, since it offered a more benign

course, downwind sailing – which is much more fun – and a safe way for South African sailors to experience an ocean crossing.

In the first race in 1971, a fleet of 69 yachts headed off to Rio de Janeiro, including Voortrekker skippered by SA Navy Commander A Thomas. International skippers in the race included Eric Tabarly of France, Kees Bruynzeel of Holland, and Briton Robin Knox-Johnston, whose 21.6-metre ketch Ocean Spirit took line honours with a time of 23 days and 42 minutes. The handicap winner of the prized South Atlantic Trophy was a 12.8-metre sloop, Albatross II, built in Knysna and skippered by John Goodwin.

In the next race just two years later, Kees Bruynzeel, then 72, shrugged off heart problems to skipper his 13.2-metre ketch Stormy to both line honours and the

handicap trophy with a time of 21 days and 12 hours, a fitting crown to his illustrious ocean racing career.

Rio fever hit an all time high in 1976 when the Cape to Rio formed the second leg of the Gauloises Triangle Race – the first leg being from St Malo to Cape Town, and the third leg from Rio to Portsmouth.

The race attracted a huge fleet of 126 yachts from 19 different countries. And, once again, Voortrekker was in the fleet, skippered by navy man Bertie Reed, who also skippered the yacht in two subsequent races to Punta del Este in the two decades when political boycotts barred the race from Rio until 1993.

Opinions are mildly divided about the change of destination to Salvador in Brazil, but the new course at least avoids the stretch between Ilha Trinidade and Rio,

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GREY 123698

Some sailors still navigate by the stars.

Heineken速, Proud Sponsor of the Heineken速 Cape to Bahia 2009.

Not For Sale To Persons Under The Age Of

where leading yachts had often found themselves becalmed. “Well, it's characterbuilding,” commented one of the crew on the 18.3-metre Warrior after they had sat in a windless sea and saw their chances of a handicap win eke away.

A sprawling modern city at the entrance to a vast inlet of delightful cruising grounds studded with islands, Salvador certainly offers an excellent, centrally-placed marina, minutes away from the massive lifts that for a few centimes carry you up to the heights of the Pelourinho and the old city above the port. Here, three large plazas are surrounded by historic buildings of rococo splendour, a fantasy of architecture that celebrated Portugal's presence in the New World, and for brief periods was the seat of the Portuguese monarchy.

In this, the second edition of the Heineken Cape to Bahia, while the racing fleet is smaller, the cruising fleet has been given a big boost by the addition of 10 different nationalities on 21 cruising

Isivunguvungu Sails the Voortrekker After a gap of 15 years, the iconic yacht Voortrekker has set sail to compete in the Heineken Cape to Bahia 2009. The yacht is crewed by a team of seven young sailors trained at the Isivunguvungu Sailing School in Simonstown, including three that are now on the school’s staff.

Due to the vigorous campaigning by South Africa’s Rear Admiral JG Louw and John Martin, Commodore of the Royal Cape Yacht Club and Race Director, sponsorship was raised to enable the

yachts and catamarans from the World ARC fleet on a leisurely circumnavigation.

The addition of the World Arc fleet also prompted a 48-hour stopover in St Helena for the cruisers, since a chance to see the historic island of Napoleon's exile seemed too good to miss.

Starting a week earlier, the cruisers have already sent back idyllic tales of grilled freshly-caught fish for dinner, and warm nights under a star-filled sky, the very stars that were first charted by Edmond Halley, he of comet fame, from the island of St Helena over 300 years ago. Youngest sailor in the fleet Storm Morze, nine-years-old, sailing with her parents on Zab-A-Cat had no fears about the ocean crossing. Her school friends were very excited and curious about her trip, she said, adding that she intended to stand her fair share of watches.

The visiting super maxis, ICAP Leopard from Britain and Rambler from the US were expected to engage in a fierce tactical battle for line honours, but in the stiff

winds during the first few days of the Race, ICAP Leopard gained the lead that Rambler could not catch. In a flying finish, ICAP Leopard set a new course record for line honours, with a time of 10 days, 5 hours, 46 minutes and 35 seconds (the previous mono-hull time set in the 2006 race was over 16 days). Said Mike Slade, owner and skipper of ICAP Leopard, "I am delighted we have set a new course record. We have pushed ICAP Leopard hard throughout the race and we now believe that the modifications we made last summer have turned her into the ultimate record breaking machine. It is a great feeling to add yet another course record to our collection."

At the time of going to press, the smallest boat in the fleet, Over Proof an Open 30, had been a keen competitor until forced to retire with broken rudders, while top local racer – 14-metre Hi-Fidelity – was still in with a good chance for the handicap win. For up to date results and coverage, visit the race website at www.heinekencapetobahia.co.za. 

Voortrekker to set sail. The charity sponsor is Pick 'n Pay Race4change, a web based sponsorship programme that enables event participants to raise money for charity in an effort to afford future young sailors similar opportunities.

“This entry is a culmination of years of development training where the first ever crew of colour, from Skipper to Bowman, is participating in this prestigious event. I encourage everyone to support these sailors in their endeavour to raise funds for future sailing talent,” said John Martin.

Izivunguvungu, which means “sudden

strong wind” in IsiZulu, is the first sailing school in South Africa to provide opportunities for disadvantaged children. The project teaches life skills through the medium of sail training and boatbuilding. The School also has a focus on education based on the environment, health and literacy.

The children do not only learn to sail; the array of activities they are exposed to and the mentorship they receive are invaluable to creating adults for the future of South Africa.

Visit www.race4change.co.za to find out more and donate today.

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ghosts

Heritage Bar

Hoi An

Highballs & History Like the Long Bar in Singapore and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) in Phnom Penh, the new Heritage Bar at the Life Heritage Resort Hoi An in Vietnam is cut from singular cloth, promising a perfect vantage point from which to reflect on the cultural and political legacy of the place in which it is located.

Words: MANDARIN MEDIA; TANYA GOODMAN Images: © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

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hen the Cham people controlled this part of central Vietnam in the 13th Century, Hoi An was originally a trading port. It started to receive foreign trading ships in the late 16th Century. Both Japanese and Chinese traders frequented this route during the 17th and 18th Centuries, but Hoi An began to lose its influence in the 1830s when silting in the Thu Bon river forced the diversion of commercial traffic to the nearby port of Danang. Practically frozen in time since their decline in the 19th Century, Hoi An has begun to capitalise on this loss by inviting contemporary travellers to roam the streets of their town which looks, more or less, the way it did some 200 years ago.

“All the storied bars of southeast Asia share one thing in common – a one-of-akind ambiance in a one-of-a-kind place,” says Cathy McConkey, Life Heritage Resort’s General Manager. “In Hoi An, where history is as visible as the house next door, we've opened a bar for the ages.” Grandiose talk to be sure, but the new Heritage Bar in Hoi An aspires to the billing with a wall-towall celebration of Hoi An's past, with the

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deepest wine cellar in this UNESCO World Heritage site, and with a sophisticated air that has, until now, been oddly absent from this fabled trading port.

Reminiscent of Indochina's classic hotel bars, the Heritage Bar's floors, beams and bar are cut from reclaimed kinh timbers, and floor-to-ceiling pillars evoke the exquisite architecture of Vietnam's garden homes. Electric lanterns and brassy uplighting give the bar a cozy, inviting glow.

But it is something else that lends the setting its enduring appeal.

A gallery of photos, taken by renowned local photographer Thai Te Thong, opens a fascinating window onto the past eight decades of life in Hoi An. In one photo, women dressed in black ao dai congregate outside the busy central market. The year was 1950. In another, a family evacuates their house by boat on the now busy intersection of Le Loi and Nguyen Thai Hoc streets during the devastating flood of 1964. There are rural landscapes of workers ploughing paddy fields, and urban shots of staff at work in a jewellery store. In a photo from 1940, a rickshaw runner waits for passengers in the Old Town.

“The concept of the Life Heritage Resort is predicated upon a celebration of local

ghosts

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history, architecture, cuisine and culture,” says Chris Duffy, General Director of the Life Resorts Management Company. “The wine list, top shelf and humidor, however, are another matter.” The Heritage Bar's cellar stocks nearly 100 distinct vintages from France and Italy, as well as various New World varieties that include the Schild Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia's Barossa Valley, and the Kaiken Malbec from Argentina's Mendoza Valley. A glass-fronted walk-in wine cellar dominates one of the interior walls, while the Bar’s top-shelf offers up a range of single-malts and cognacs not found elsewhere in the Old Town. The humidor features four varieties of Cuban cigars.

Until the opening of the Heritage Bar, the Old Town was bereft of an upscale, airconditioned lounge. That was fine for the days when Hoi An was a Mecca for the budget-minded backpacker. Today, with Vietnam attracting an increasingly well-

heeled clientele, the clamouring for upmarket amenities has never been louder.

To satisfy more discerning tastes, the riverside resort shut down in February 2008, stripped down to its concrete shell and dressed itself back up with a decidedly tropical Asian modern design. The 94-room resort reopened six months later with custom-made furnishings and a newlyfound contemporary style. It went on to receive rave reviews from returning guests.

Each of the rooms is housed in two- or three-storey townhouses, with private porches hosting outdoor sitting areas that give you the feeling of coming home. The resort, which evokes the colonial splendour of a bygone era, sits on a quiet stretch of the Thu Bon River and is within walking distance of the trading port’s world-famous downtown. For more information, contact the Life Resorts sales and marketing office at +848 844 3605, sales@life-resorts.com or visit www.life-resorts.com. 

Hoi An Ancient Town A UNESCO World Heritage Site According to UNESCO, heritage can be defined as: our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations.

Our cultural and natural heritages are both considered to be irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage. What makes the concept of the designation of a World Heritage site exceptional is its universal application – these sites are viewed as belonging to all the people of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.

Hoi An Ancient Town was awarded designation as a World Heritage site because it is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional southeast Asian trading port dating between the 15th and 19th Centuries. Its buildings and its street plan provide an outstanding material manifestation of the fusion of cultures over time in an international commercial port and reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this extraordinary heritage site.

To read more about UNESCO World Heritage sites, visit www.whc.unesco.org.

LIFE PASSION ADVENTURE

OfямБcial agent for Fairline luxury motor yachts in South Africa.

DURBAN HARBOUR : Durban Yacht Mole Tel: 031 301 1115 / 083 324 4630 DURBAN POINT : The Quays Tel: 031 332 1987 / 079 872 2335 CAPE TOWN V&A WATERFRONT : Breakwater Boulevard Tel: 082 881 2607 / 072 860 6401 www.boatingworld.co.za | info@boatingworld.co.za

LIFE PASSION ADVENTURE

gear

The New

XC60

The Safest Ever Vehicle from Volvo A new Volvo is stepping boldly into the automotive world’s fastest-growing segment, and to prepare it for this challenge, it is dressed in a dynamic blend of brawn and brains. The vehicle bases its appeal on the synthesis between daringly sporty design and a range of intelligent safety systems that help the driver avoid accidents.

Words & Images: Š VOLVO

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he new XC60, launching in South Africa at the beginning of February, is regarded by Volvo Cars as the safest Volvo designed to date, with the unique City Safety system as a standard feature and a tribute to Volvo’s firm commitment to its core value of safety. Volvo Cars’ Design Director Steve Mattin, who set himself the goal of “turning up the visual volume” of Volvo’s models, says, “The XC60 is charged with more emotive form and far more energy than any previous Volvo model.” He calls this creation the boldest crossover design yet.

The Volvo XC60 has to make an audacious statement because it enters the rapidly growing “Small Premium Utility” segment, where, within the next few years, buyers will have at least 10 crossover models to choose between. In such a competitive market, it becomes crucial to create a car that stands heads above the rest.

Surveys indicate that 75 percent of all reported collisions take place at speeds of up to 30 km/h and that in 50 percent of all rear-end collisions the driver did not brake at all before the collision. The biggest single new feature in the XC60 is thus City Safety, active at speeds of up to 30 km/h. This revolutionary system brakes the car automatically if it senses proximity danger. If the vehicle in front

brakes suddenly and City Safety determines that a collision is likely, the brakes are pre-charged. If the driver remains inactive, the car applies the brakes automatically. A collision can thus be either avoided or, if this is not possible, the speed is reduced to such an extent that damage to cars and personal injuries is minimised.

City Safety keeps an eye on traffic in front with the help of a laser sensor that is integrated into the top of the windscreen at the height of the rear-view mirror. It can detect vehicles and other objects up to 10 metres in front of the car’s front bumper. The system is developed to react to vehicles in front that are either at a standstill or are moving in the same direction as the car itself. Volvo is the first manufacturer in the world to offer this as a standard safety feature.

Safety aside, the new XC60 will initially be available with the six-cylinder turbocharged 3.0T engine producing 210 kW and the five-cylinder D5 turbodiesel delivering 136 kW and 400 Nm of torque. All Wheel Drive (AWD) with Instant Traction is fitted as standard on all variants. Later this year, Volvo Cars will release a front-wheel driven 2.4-litre version powered by a Euro 5 diesel engine producing 130 kW and with a CO2 target around 170 g/km. This super efficient turbodiesel could later join the

South African XC60 model line-up.

Owing to its compact dimensions – 20cm shorter than the XC70 and 7cm lower than the XC90 – it continues Volvo’s range of slimmed-down car models with high energy efficiency. The chassis setting of the XC60 is aggressively sporty without losing anything in terms of comfort.

With this vehicle, Volvo has set its sights on a target group that imposes high demands on design, brand integrity and high-tech content in its choice of lifestyle products. When it comes to the choice of car, these consumers adopt the same view as they do for other lifecycle products: all the properties should preferably be integrated into one single, attractive and intelligent package.

Furthermore, Volvo aims primarily at lifestyle rather than age and the company is broadening its model range to attract even more customers with an active urban lifestyle. It can be said that, in Volvo terms, this could be the C30 owner’s next car. It is as sporty and exciting, but way more capable – an all-round car for the person who lives single in the city and for the young family taking the kids for a weekend of adventure.  The suggested retail prices (including VAT) of the new Volvo XC60 range are: • Volvo XC60 D5 manual – R469 500 • Volvo XC60 D5 Geartronic – R481 000 • Volvo XC60 3.0T Geartronic – R515 000

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gulf

Only

Big Boys

Allowed

New Abu Dhabi Yacht Show The debut of the “invitation only” Abu Dhabi Yacht Show 2009 (ADYS) will see the first yacht show in the region dedicated specifically to the SuperYacht and MegaYacht market. Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority as headline sponsor, ADYS will feature the finest products, latest innovations and hottest trends in the rapidly developing luxury yachting industry.

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xpected to attract Middle Eastern royalty and the region's most successful high net worth individuals, ADYS 2009 is set to rival the Monaco Yacht Show in terms of toptier attendees and prestigious exhibitors.

Famous shipyards from Italy, the UK, the USA, France and the UAE will display the latest, high-tech, luxury yachts, including the much talked about, high performance SuperYacht, Wally Power by Wally Yachts – a modern, sleek 36-metre yacht capable of speeds over 60 knots – and 4Yacht Arabia’s 88.5-metre Lauren, a massive luxury yacht featuring futuristic technology.

To cater to the luxury mega vessels that will be on exhibit, ranging in size from 30 to100 metres, ADNEC is currently dredging a 2.4-kilometre marina zone, which will feature a 350-metre quay wall, suitable for stern mooring of over 20 yachts. The ADYS will also present a number of special events and activities to create networking and meeting opportunities during the exhibition, such as the SuperYacht Fashion Show at the Emirates Palace, a charity auction Gala dinner, a cocktail party, business conferences and a golf tournament.

Part of the impetus for this new show is the burgeoning popularity of SuperYachts in the region and the increasing demand for quality marinas and services. “The Middle East is experiencing a surge in the number of berths required as a response to the boom in the region’s property market,” says Michael Horrigan, CEO of the Middle East and Europe division

Words: TANYA GOODMAN Images: © ISTOCKphoto.COM; ADYS

of Island Global Yachting. “The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a strong maritime heritage, but with the creation of some of the world’s most exceptional waterfront developments, the country has gained massive momentum in appealing to the international yachting community,” he says.

Owning a SuperYacht is more complicated than one might think. Along with finding a qualified, dedicated crew to operate it, there is also the question of where to put the yacht when not at sea. In the UAE, until recently, acquiring a berth for a SuperYacht was limited to the number of marinas that could accommodate large yachts 30 metres or bigger. Owners of SuperYachts dock them where they would like to vacation; for the high profile and discerning individuals enticed by the rapidly

ADNEC Hosting Abu Dhabi Yacht Show 2009, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) is an innovative and expanding venue for world class exhibitions and events, aimed at becoming the largest in the Middle East. ADNEC made its debut in February 2007 and has already exceeded expectations by proving itself a superlative venue for international exhibitions, staging more than 60 events in 2008 alone.

The stunning complex, which is currently undergoing multi-stage development,

developing cities and intriguing coastlines of the UAE, Kuwait and Oman – destinations that offer a mix of exotic Arabia and 21st Century modernism – there have simply not been enough berths to go around to keep their large yachts in the region, whether for personal or charter use.

That is rapidly changing, however, with billions of investment dollars being sunk into the region’s marine industry.

Along the Arabian Gulf, and Abu Dhabi in particular, a fascinating series of marinas are taking shape, forging the way towards the UAE’s capital becoming a charter paradise. Abu Dhabi, which is the largest emirate of the seven sheikhdoms that make up the UAE, is the world’s richest city according to Fortune magazine.

“With over 200 natural islands and illustrates Abu Dhabi’s bold plans for the future of the UAE capital and its commitment to providing the city with toptier facilities.

At the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, Abu Dhabi is uniquely positioned to provide a platform for business to the billions of people who live and work within a short flying distance of the city. Economic reforms and liberalised legislation adopted in recent years have attracted huge investment in a wide range of sectors. As a new economic engine of the city, ADNEC is located in the heart of a remarkable

more than 700 kilometres of coastline, few places in the world are as blessed with natural waterfront as Abu Dhabi,” explains His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nayhan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. “Our coastline and abundance of islands offer endless exploration and sporting options, and the upcoming Guggenheim, Louvre and maritime museums will also put Abu Dhabi on the map as a premiere 21st Century cultural destination.”

The Abu Dhabi Yacht Show – due to take place from 12 to14 March 2009 – will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). For more information and a full exhibitor list, • visit: www.abudhabiyachtshow.com • contact: + 971 (0) 4 3365161, Ext 352 • email: sonia.simons@iirme.com  development that will feature a micro-city of 23 sky-scrapers, a state-of-the-art waterfront marina zone, a proposed monorail, a luxurious shopping mall with restaurants and entertainment facilities called the Galleria, and a gravity defying 35-story tower, Capital Gate. This iconic structure will lean westward an astonishing 18 degrees, and is set to be entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the “world’s most inclined tower.” In a country that seeks record-breaking achievements and offers five-star hospitality, ADNEC is a perfect launching pad.

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Heaven in a

Hamam Modern day spa experiences abound – hot stones, mud wraps, detox baths, and various forms

of hard and soft massage. The adjectives that go along with these treatments are equally vast – invigorating, relaxing, rejuvenating, and divine. But try a timeless, traditional Turkish bath in the cool, mosaic-tiled depths of a classic hamam and words might fail you as your body is transported beyond its earthly bounds.

Words: TANYA GOODMAN Images: © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

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think it was the bubbles that finally sent me over the edge and into another realm of physical reality.

Lying naked on the smooth, warm marble platform in the centre of the steamy bathhouse, I was at first acutely aware of the others in the room and the large, imposing man (the tellak) who was poised to give me my first Turkish bath. No-one else seemed to care much, busy as they were drenching themselves with water from the fountains, situated in niches around the circumference of the space. And my tellak seemed neither to bat an eye, nor look at me as male or female – simply another body to be shampooed, scrubbed, rinsed, kneaded, flipped, and scrubbed and rinsed again.

I was in the middle of a small town in Turkey, a rest stop from the sensory overload of centuries of history and cultural interweaving that this land offers, and taking respite from the midday heat. Our small group of friends had decided to try a Turkish bath and we found a domed, classic hamam in the centre of town. A little apprehensive, we changed from our dusty, travel worn clothes and wrapped ourselves with a peštemal (a colourful, checked cotton cloth), before being led into the main room. Octagonal and dimly lit by sunbeams streaming through a few carved keyhole spaces in the arched roof, the hamam was a strange though serene space, punctuated only by the rising warmth and the sound of splashing water.

For once, I relinquished my sense of physical modesty and just let go. I have no idea how or what the tellak did or what kind of fabric it was that he used, but I have never seen so many bubbles emerge

from thin air. The key was, indeed, to abandon control and submit to this enormous man’s prodding and pushing, slapping and sliding. At times vigorous and at times ridiculously gentle, the entire process was a remarkable departure from reality. A rough loofah was used to scrub my body, while this magical cloth, like a pillow case that continuously billowed bubbles, was walloped and stroked across my limbs and torso with aplomb. The shampoo was next and covered every inch of skin and hair above the neck, with an end result of never having felt cleaner.

Finally, with all the toxins released, skin gleaming, and bodies in a total state of relaxation, we were each led to separate massage rooms where we selected from the range of oils and techniques on hand.

Emerging a couple of hours later, we gathered in the front room again to sip Turkish apple tea or icy Efes beers, ravished and reeling from the experience.

The Turkish bath ritual dates back many centuries and is a synthesis of Greek, Roman and Byzantine architecture and philosophy.

It also reflects the Moslem concern for cleanliness and respect for the uses of water. Over the years, hamams have served as not just a place for bathing, but also as a centre for socialisation and networking.

For women under a restrictive regime, it was often the only place where they could be free to discuss personal and political issues of the day. A special Turkish bath could mark the forty days after a child’s birth, part of a bride’s wedding celebrations, or to honour the eve of a religious holiday, though most hamam visits were, and continue to be, part of everyday life. Many hamams have separate quarters for women

and men, or at least, women-only hours.

Traditionally, men are encouraged to cover up while waiting whereas women are free to be totally naked. Some, like the one we visited, allowed our mixed group of friends to bath together.

If you have the chance to experience one or more hamans while touring Turkey, make a concerted effort to overcome any bashfulness you might have so that you, too, can be treated to the delightfully sensual experience of the Turkish bath. I promise you will float on air for the remainder of your journey. 

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THE PEOPLE’S

PRINCESS London Boat Show Princess Yachts kicked off 2009 with a flourish by being the largest exhibitor at the January London Boat Show, and by seeing two of their models win prestigious crowns as “Boat of the Year” in their respective categories.

Words & Images: © Princess Yachts

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n the Flybridge category, the Princess 50 was described by one of the two leading UK yachting magazines who judged all entrants as: “A phenomenal example of just how far boat design has come…even larger yachts would struggle to deliver a three-cabin layout of this calibre.” Similar praise was given to her handling and performance and it was said that the Princess 50 “offered an unbeatable partnership of a sure-footed, powerful ride for long voyages and a rewarding, responsive drive for coastal hops.”

The Princess V45 was the clear winner for sports cruisers over 45 foot and wowed the judges not just with her performance but with her interior and exterior style too.

The V45 was said to possess “true greatness” and offered “the kind of external cool looks that will turn heads for a lifetime.”

The most striking thing about the Princess 50, which the judges clearly identified as well, is the spaciousness below-deck. A lot can change between boats in the market that measure in the high 40-foot range and those that measure closer to 60-foot, where the most difficult decision often facing buyers is dependent on the presence and quality of a third cabin. Who would one be able to

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invite along as a third couple on a weekend cruise if the third cabin does not match the rest? When asked about this feature, all of the existing Princess owners invited at the London Boat Show to go out on a test review of the new Princess 50 were unanimous in their praise. The forward cabin on the 50 made owners of even the large yachts envious of its spaciousness, and the third cabin, which in many boats is just a “pokey affair with a couple of berths and little else,” was admired for its freedom of movement plus its storage capacity. This space was created by opting for a solution first introduced by Jeanneau in their Prestige 50 range, namely stocking the cabin with bunks that can fold out as doubles.

Visitors onboard the Princess 50 also raved about the flybridge experience, which offers similar excellent visibility as at the lower helm station. Despite the somewhat extra height and weight added due to the below-deck detail, the boat handled with extreme stability and responsiveness, sacrificing just a few knots to other competitors in its class. Having all the extra space and comfort while still achieving 30 knots seemed sufficient to silence all but the most serious speed freaks and, for them,

Princess has the award-winning V45 ready in the water.

The real show-stealer on the Princess 50 is the saloon layout with its relaxed, generous lower lounge area complete with a long sideboard including stowage, bar and ice maker among other features.

Even more impressive, though, is the comfortable raised dinette seating opposite the helm, making sure that the captain forms part of the camaraderie at any stage of the day. The most observant visitors noticed that because of this raised design for captain’s company, it allows for some extra top-drawer headroom in the master cabin right below. The other striking aspect of the saloon area is that, regardless of where you stand or sit, you have an amazing view and the large windows flood the saloon with light.

There were very few faults that guests could find, and least of all with the price. By end of the boat test trip, there seemed to be consensus that even though the 50 foot class of yachts offer more choice than what the market ever asked for, the designers at Princess in Plymouth managed to put together an innovation that was sure to allow this model to punch way above its weight.

There are several Princess Yachts on the water in Cape Town, as local agent David Abromowitz & Associates is one of the original founders of the luxury yacht market in South Africa. Visit David next to the Cape Grace Hotel at the V&A Waterfront, or call in advance on +27 21 419 0722 to schedule a test on any of the available Princess models.

Expected soon in South Africa is the recently debuted Princess 85 MY yacht, which will make its way to South Africa in March this year to be delivered to an existing Princess owner, who has decided to upgrade his current Princess to this magnificent flagship. The entire range of Princess yachts can be viewed at www.princessyachts.com. ď ?

glitter

Diamonds

One Jewel to Rule them All

Words: SHANNON MANDERS; SAM WEBER Images: © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

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Long, long ago, in the Earth’s core, one of the planet’s most common elements, carbon, began its slow alchemical transformation from black coal to translucent brilliance. Subject to incredible extremes of temperature and pressure, the crystals that were to become one of the most precious gems on Earth were born.

initially regarded as gems, they soon became associated with good fortune and protection from evil. For more than 2,000 years they were used primarily as talismans worn in their uncut state exclusively by kings and rulers. The diamonds’ unique hardness gave rise to the belief that they possessed magical properties, conferring power, courage and virility on their owners.

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his long, slow process of diamond formation took place in molten rock or magma about 160 kilometres below the Earth’s surface. Eventually, the pressure of the magma split the surrounding rock, forming cracks and pipes that forced the magma explosively upwards to the Earth’s surface. On the way up, the magma gathered other rocks and minerals, forming the geological concoction known as kimberlite, and which produced volcanic craters on the surface of the planet. Over millions of years, these were gradually eroded away until they were level with the surface of the Earth. Some of the diamonds, freed at last, were carried by running water and deposited in riverbeds and into the ocean.

The first record of diamonds in history dates back some 3,000 years, and it is highly likely that diamonds were first discovered in India. As the stones were not

Treasured through time for their qualities of hardness and durability, diamonds were the perfect symbol of eternal love.

A later anecdote from the Dark Ages relates the belief of St Hildegard that a diamond held in the hand while making the

sign of the cross would heal wounds and injuries. This belief in the curative properties of diamonds endured for a long time.

Historically, diamonds were even crushed and ingested in the hope of curing sickness.

With the advent of commercial diamond mining, however, came the myth that diamonds were poisonous. Some believe that this myth was created by diamond mine owners in an attempt to scare workers from swallowing the gems in order to smuggle them from the mines. When people first succeeded in cutting diamonds in the 14th Century, the stone’s legendary invincibility became suspect, and its significance as a talisman diminished. But, by means of cutting, its hidden beauty began to emerge and its rule as the king of gems began.

Over time, the popularity of this gemstone grew. At first, possessing diamonds was the exclusive right of royalty but by 1477, diamonds had found their way

into wedding rings and onto the open market. Treasured through time for their qualities of hardness and durability, diamonds were the perfect symbol of eternal love.

In 1867, a young boy picked up a shiny yellow stone in the vicinity of Hopetown on the banks of South Africa’s Orange River. The stone, weighing 21.75 carats, was given to a dealer who sold it to the Governor of the Cape for the sum of $150. The Eureka diamond, as it was named, was cut into a brilliant, 10.73-carat gem.

Blood Diamonds In more recent times, diamonds have become the cold currency of war, and illegal trade in diamonds is estimated to be responsible for the loss of more than three million lives. Conflict diamonds, or blood diamonds, mostly refer to rough diamonds mined in conflict areas and used by rebel movements and their allies to finance their attempts to undermine legitimate governments.

Untraceable, easily hidden and transported, with extraordinary monetary value crammed into each molecule, diamonds have become the guerrilla fighter’s best friend. Although the diamond industry, especially in South Africa, is heavily regulated and legislated, the lack of rigorous enforcement leaves easy loopholes for the criminally minded.

In South Africa and Namibia, it is illegal to possess an uncut diamond.

All diamonds must be registered. South

This find led to several prospecting trips, although it took two years for the second big stone – The Star of South Africa – to be found. These discoveries gave rise to the first diamond rush and led to the development of the South African diamond fields, the unearthing of the source rock and the formation of De Beers.

It also led to the establishment of the marketing organisation that today controls more than 80 percent of the world’s rough diamond sales. Since then, major diamond fields have been located and mined in

Sierra Leone, Namibia, Angola, Zaire, Tanzania, the Soviet Union, Botswana and Australia.

With regards to the future of diamond mining, it is fairly certain that more diamonds have already been excavated than remain to be discovered. As mines get deeper, the average size and number of stones found gets smaller, and larger stones are becoming increasingly rare as time goes by. You are surely lucky enough to be in possession of at least one of these most precious stones. Cherish it. 

Africa leads the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, an initiative by the international community to further regulate the diamond trade. The Process aims to establish a credible monitoring mechanism covering all aspects of the diamond pipeline and seeks to certify that all diamonds originate from a conflict-free zone. Unfortunately, the Process itself has been fraught with difficulties. The self-regulatory nature of the Process has also elicited concern, and many parties would prefer a more independent watchdog body.

Inherent difficulties in proving particular diamonds to be illicit are further compounded by malpractices in parts of the diamond industry as well as weak, or easily circumvented export controls. In Tanzania it was found that most exporters systematically undervalue diamonds declared for export. Diamonds leaving Tanzania are not checked for weight and value for lack of expertise. On import into

Belgium, however, these diamonds are checked and valued. In this way it was found that during 2000, the total value of diamonds exported from Tanzania to Belgium was a mere 15 percent of the total value of diamonds imported from the same country.

While it is possible to trace the origin of a diamond through its molecular composition, it is a difficult and timeconsuming process that will not necessarily impede the covert trade in conflict diamonds. Proving that a particular diamond originated in South Africa, for instance, does not prove that it was legally mined and processed onto the open market. Neither does it prevent “legitimate” dealers from buying rough diamonds from, or selling them to, potential or known arms dealers.

Concerted global action is required for trade in blood diamonds to cease, and the Kimberley Process is widely hailed as a promising first step.

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Cocktails

for Lazy Days at Sea

Words: SALT RESTAURANT AND BAR Images: © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Deep Blue Ingredients • 50ml vodka • 25ml lime cordial • 25ml blue curaçao • 100ml lemonade • small handful blueberries or cherries Method Place the fruit into the bottom of a highball glass and top to the halfway mark with ice cubes. Add the lemonade. Place the vodka, lime cordial and blue curaçao into a shaker and shake. Pour this slowly over the lemonade to form a layer. The fruit should bob to the top. Garnish with slices of fresh orange and serve.

Aegean Sea Ingredients • 25ml vodka • 25ml grapefruit schnapps • 12.5ml lemon juice • 12.5ml blue curaçao • 50ml dry lemon Method Fill a martini glass with ice cubes and set aside to chill. Place vodka, schnapps, lemon juice, blue curaçao and dry lemon into a shaker. Remove ice from martini glass. Shake and strain ingredients and pour into chilled glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Salt Restaurant and Bar is situated in the Ambassador Hotel in Cape Town’s Bantry Bay. Visit www.saltrestaurant.co.za for more information or contact +27 21 439 7258, or salt@ambassador.co.za.

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From the Galley

Flame Grilled Ostrich Fillet Set on Fondant Potatoes with a Cape Malay Dried Fruit Sauce

Words & Images: © THE PEECH HOTEL

Ingredients

Method

For the Ostrich • 2 x 200g each ostrich fillet • 10g meat spice • 10ml olive oil

Prepare the ostrich: Coat the ostrich with the olive oil and the meat spice and flame grill until done to your liking.

It is advisable not to prepare ostrich well done, as the meat can become tough if overcooked.

Ready the potato fondant: Place the butter into a heated saucepan. Add the garlic, rosemary and thyme, together with the cubed, boiled potatoes; season to taste with salt and pepper. Fry until crisp and a light gold colour.

For the Fondant Potatoes • 2 large potatoes, about 400g, cut into 2.5cm cubes, boiled • 100g butter • 10g thyme, chopped • 10g rosemary, chopped • 10g garlic, chopped • salt and pepper to taste For the Cape Malay Sauce • 40g dried apricots, roughly chopped • 40g dried peaches, roughly chopped • 300ml fresh cream • 15g curry powder • 30g turmeric • 20g cumin • 50ml chutney • salt and pepper to taste

Make the sauce: In a clean, dry pan, fry the spices (curry powder, turmeric, cumin) lightly until fragrant. Add the dried fruit and fry for a couple minutes.

Add the cream and salt and pepper, and finally the chutney. Allow to simmer until sauce thickens slightly.

Serve: Arrange the potatoes in the centre of the plate and place the grilled ostrich on top. Drizzle the sauce over the steak and around the rim of the plate, and garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

Serves two.

The Peech Hotel, situated at 61 North Street, Melrose, is Joburg’s “chic” boutique hotel. Head Chef Greg Jardim started his culinary career working in a bakery as a youngster. Having found his passion in life he chose to study towards a professional cookery diploma. Greg rapidly worked his through the ranks, soon finding himself Head Chef at the Peech bistro. His specialities are venison and seafood, and he describes his food as “trendy, hip and happening, and healthy.” For reservations contact reservations@thepeech.co.za or +27 11 537 9797.

livethelife The Dalmore 50 Year Old – the Rarest of Whiskies

One of the world’s oldest and most precious whiskies has been released by The Dalmore brand. The Dalmore 50 Year Old contains whisky first distilled 140 years ago. This means the liquid started life before the invention of the telephone, the car and the electric light, and was maturing quietly before the Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty were even built. The 52.8% ABV 50 Year Old is described as soft and elegant, rewarding the drinker with a multitude of complex flavours that linger in the mouth.

Tasting of orange peel and liquorice initially, the liquor slowly reveals added touches of crushed almonds and cinnamon. Given the age of this malt, only 191 hand-blown Portuguese crystal decanters are being released. The value placed upon this rarest of whiskies suggests a retail price in the region of £5,000 for the 700ml bottle, or up to £800 a dram. Says Dalmore Master Distiller Richard Paterson, “Luxury is about the discovery and consumption of something sublime, something rare and something brilliant. My advice would be to buy two decanters: drink one and enjoy drinking a whisky steeped in flavour and history, and then watch the value of the one you keep grow and grow.” Visit www.thedalmore.com.

Desirable Jewellery from Donna Mia

New Donna Mia jewellery is the current talk of the town. Seen on the wrists of Paris Hilton, Fergie and Usher, these Italian-inspired collectable adornments now make the hottest fashion statement. A modern twist to its traditional counterpart, the Donna Mia charm bracelet is chic and glitzy; the product of some of the world’s most talented designers. The bracelets come in silver or silicone, and in a variety of colours. Creative types are encouraged to create their own distinctive bangle by selecting their choice of beads from some 250 available styles. Each bead is manufactured using the highest quality materials, including gold, sterling silver, murano glass and cubic zirconia. Each carefully crafted bracelet has a patented clasp and threading system that ensures beads can never be lost. Specially designed locks prevent the beads from sliding and bunching, and add definition in demonstrating the bracelet’s iridescent beauty. Donna Mia has a select number of international designers relentlessly tracking international stylistic developments, so rest assured your jewellery will never go out of style. For more information visit www.donnamia.co.za or contact +27 82 859 6067.

Pilot’s Watches for Father and Son

IWC launches its new, father and son inspired collection, Pilot’s Watches for Father and Son, which has a Big Pilot’s Watch in platinum for the father, and a somewhat smaller counterpart in stainless steel for the son. Just like father and son, these watches exhibit many resemblances. Both have the same rhodiumplated, light-coloured dial of the pilot’s watches, the same user-friendly onion-shaped crown of the early pilot’s watches from IWC, the same brown crocodile leather strap and characteristic steel rivets, and unique copper colour hands. For those with a technical interest, ensconced behind the model for the father, in its 46.2 x 18.8mm platinum case, is ref. 5004, the Big Pilot’s Watch with the 51111 calibre – the renowned long-running mechanical movement with an automatic Pellaton winding system, date and seven-day power reserve that is indicated on the dial. The anti-reflective sapphire glass is specially secured against displacement by a sudden drop in air pressure, and the watch is water-resistant to 6 bars. The smaller edition largely corresponds in technical terms to the father’s watch, except that it has a 39 x 11.5mm stainless steel case and a 30110-calibre automatic movement. Engraving on the back of each watch is done by IWC on confirmation of the order. For more information, contact IWC on +27 11 317 2600 or visit www.iwc.com.

Live the Digital Life

South Africans love technology, from GPS systems, smartphones and Blackberries to home theatre systems, PVRs and DVRs; we are comfortable with digital technology and happy to own it. For those wishing to expand their know-how, how-to and must-have inventories, the DigitalLife Expo, which runs from 27 to 29 March at the Sandton Convention Centre, will give them the chance to literally get to grips with the latest and greatest, state-of-theart digital gadgets. For those not-too-tech-savvy folks, the show will be a great way to wrap your head around the differences between hardware and software, wired technologies and wireless Internet, and PDAs, PVRs and GPSs. Tickets cost just R35 per adult and kids under 12 go free. Visit www.digitallife.co.za for more info.

Slip on a Cinderella

For those contemporary Cinderellas out there, forget the impractical glass slipper and instead get your manicured hands on a pair of the latest trend to come out of Milan: the Glue Cinderella ballet shoe. The colour palette teams classic shades with more eccentric tones, from neutral beige and ever-popular deep blue and white, to a trio of warm colours inspired by the Moroccan atmosphere of the designer’s previous collection. Though simplistic in form, these shoes were created with painstaking attention to detail, from the hole in the back, making them easy to carry, to the low-cut uppers and the star that shapes the sole. These stylish, simple and super-chic flats are available in three different two-tone versions, opaque/opaque, transparent/transparent, or transparent/opaque. The collection went on sale in leading boutiques throughout the world earlier this year. For more information, visit www.twiice.com/news, www.kartell.it or call +27 21 784 9060.

Stay Chilled with Eva Solo

As the balmy rays of summer still cause shimmers of perspiration on the brow, keep yourself cool and your drinks chilled with the Eva Solo Ice Cube Cooler. Perfect for making, keeping and serving ice cubes, the lid of this nifty cooler is actually a freezing tray for making cubes. Simply drop the iced cubes into the double-walled bowl once frozen, and keep your Long Island icy all afternoon. The Eva Solo Ice Cube Cooler retails for around R1,200. Visit www.yuppiechef.co.za for more information.

makingwaves Africa Launches its First Electric Car

In the never-ending search for new energy solutions, resourceful South African manufacturer Optimal Energy recently launched the Joule electric car. Says company CEO, Kobus Meiring, “The world's finite energy sources are being used inefficiently and urban transport plays a major role in energy wastage and climate changing pollution.

Joule is Optimal Energy's solution to change that.” As a zero-emission vehicle with a minimal environmental footprint, Joule is as clean and green as it is quiet. Presenting a radical reduction in noise pollution, Joule is approximately five times more energy efficient than petrol or diesel vehicles with substantially less pollution and green house gas emissions in an urban environment. When obtained from clean sources such as hydro or solar, this multi-source energy carrier can lead to a 100% reduction in pollution.

Better still, Joule’s rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (rechargeable from any source) are recyclable and contain no heavy metals. The vehicle is also fully compliant with UN-ECE safety standards. Joule will be hitting the market towards 2010, and is expected to retail at around R320,000. For more information, visit www.optimalenergy.co.za.

Galileo’s Telescope Travels the Globe

This year, 2009, marks the fourth centenary of the first astronomical observations made by Galileo Galilei with his telescope. It is a year in which worldwide celebrations are planned in memory of these extraordinary events of the past, and which the United Nations has officially proclaimed “International Year of Astronomy.” This 400th anniversary of Galileo’s astronomical observations is a precious opportunity and the worlds of commerce and culture have come together to create an exhibition that traces the path of Galileo’s discoveries, remembering their origins and precedents and highlighting their major consequences for humanity. The exhibition will show in Philadelphia, in the US, between April and August 2009 and in Stockholm, Sweden, between October 2009 and January 2010. Officine Panerai, in recognition of its tradition linked to precision instruments and in particular to the measurement of time, has decided to lend its full and passionate support to this remarkable exhibition. For more information, visit www.panerai.com.

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South Africa Rivals International Boat Builders

When it comes to catamaran building, South Africa seems to sit perfectly on par with its international competitors. To attest to this, several proudly South African catamarans will grace the waters of Miami from 12 February onwards, at the Strictly Sail Miami boat show. Sitting pretty in the boatyard will be the S/Y King’s Ransom and the Silhouette 760, both manufactured by Matrix Yachts. They will be joined by the Majestic 500 from Royal Cape Catamarans, the St Francis 50 from St Francis Marine, and the Admiral 40 from Admiral Yachts. The four vessels comprising the in-water exhibit will be further bolstered by the presence of Custom Marine and Knysna Yacht Company on the floating stand. Despite the present global economic downturn, SABBEX remains optimistic that the quality, competitive pricing and dynamic design of the locally manufactured vessels will continue to appeal to consumers. For further information visit www.sabbex.co.za or email info@sabbex.co.za.

P r o u d Catamar ans

Proudly made, Proudly owned!

Our Pride: 38ft

40ft

44ft 64ft

70ft.

S a i l i n g , Po w e r a n d S p o r t F i s h i n g C a t a m a r a n s m a n u f a c t u r e d t o o w n e r s s p e c i fi c a t i o n s .

Contact: Keith McVeigh Tel: +27 82 320 5917 Email: keith@proudcatamarans.co.za www.proudcatamarans.com w w w. p r o u d c ata m a r a n s . c o m

O u r c a t a m a r a n s a r e n o w av a i l a b l e i n t h e S e y c h e l l e s .

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