Prestige Magazine October 2008

PRESTIGE > C I = : A 6 E D ; A J M J G N

GLENMORANGIE

PANERAI CLASSIC

PAGANI ZONDA

VENICE CHARTER

SKELETON COAST ISSUE NO. 20

R39.95

BAVARIA AVANT GARDE

Lamborghini Jhb

Authorised Dealer Automobili Lamborghini Lamborghini Jhb corner William Nicol and Ballyclare Drives, Bryanston Tel (011) 709 6351 Fax (011) 709 6332 e-mail marius@lamborghinijhb.co.za

GALLARDO SUPER LEGGERA The 10-cylinder 4961 cc engine develops 530 hp (390 kW) at 8000 rpm and 510 Nm of torque at 4250 rpm. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 315 km/h and comes standard with 6 speed e-gear automatic gearshift, permanent 4 wheel drive and viscous traction.

made in curious

DARE TO DREAM

V CLASS SPORTS YACHTS: V42 V45 V48 V53 V58 V65 V70 V85

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

contents

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boating & yachting 16 Bavaria 37 Avantgarde New Custom Options

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Turkish Delight Kral’s Golden Era Of Boating

sail & charter 22 Volvo Ocean Race Life At The Extreme

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Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge

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Alfa Romeo III

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Saltwater Crocs

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Rolex Regatta

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Lipton Cape Regatta

Celebrating Ancient Seafarers

Lean, Mean, Sailing Machine

Really, They Float

Maxi Yacht Cup In Porto Cervo

A Local Legacy

motoring 28 Pagani Zonda 5 Of A Kind

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Vespa Character 1,129 Kilometres On The Back Of A Bike

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travel 24 Heli-Ski & Monaco Grand Prix Truly Exclusive Travel

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Namibia

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Venice

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Trogon House

Skeleton Coast By Air

Cruising With Gondolas

Tranquillity In The Treetops

lifestyle 14 Microlights

Time To Take Flight

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Glenmorangie

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Giving

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Mike Horn

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Diving Mozambique

Rejuvenation Of A Classic Whisky

It’s Good For You

Pangaea Expedition

The Medjumbe Blues

regulars 10 From The Helm 12 GizmosGadgetsGear 80 Cocktails 82 From The Galley 86 Live The Life 88 Making Waves

Issue 20

SMILE

from the helm

PUBLISHER: Chapel Lane Media PO Box 13404, Hatfield, 0028 Tel: +27 82 452 8110 Fax: +27 866 78 6370 mail@prestigemag.co.za

We just returned from one of the world’s most magnificent sailing events in Imperia, Italy – the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge.

Amidst these beautiful classic and vintage yachts, some dating back over a hundred years, we had a fantastic time at sea and on land with publishers of several of the world’s leading yachting and luxury magazines. Our discussions often turned serious, and with what we have learnt, feel confident that the manner in which Prestige melds the sport of kings, the king of sports, and the luxury lifestyle that goes with that, is as exciting as anything one may find in the international market. We got plenty of compliments, and phenomenal interest in South Africa as a destination and as a yachting nation.

This month royalty ruled. We introduce the new Kral (“King” in Turkish) powerboat that is about to hit South African shores. Then, in one of the most enjoyable media briefings we have ever attended, we had the privilege of meeting two of South Africa’s greatest sons, and brothers to boot, golfing king Gary Player and his elder sibling, Dr Ian Player, an international legend in the conservation world. They are joining forces in launching a signature golf course in a real wilderness setting in the Waterberg. We spent time around Prince Albert’s Monaco (his vintage yacht, the Tuiga, built in 1909, also participated in this year’s Panerai Classic) and dropped in at the Cannes Boat Show to see the latest yacht releases, several of which we will feature over the next few months. It warmed our hearts to see the South African flag billowing on the Dean Catamaran stand in Cannes. And, yes, Cannes is getting ready for the film festival and the real modern day royalty from Hollywood to arrive.

It is summer at last, the Cape Boat Show is the major local event of the season, the big yachts are dusted for several gruelling races, and it’s time to get tanned and out on the water.

Have a blast.

MANAGING EDITOR: Charl du Plessis (MBA Yale, PhD Darden) charl@prestigemag.co.za

Charl & Tanya PS We enjoy receiving your letters, especially if they flatter as did the one we share with you below. Please send us your comments and suggestions.

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.

Dear Editors, I found a copy of your magazine at a Southern Sun Hotel over the weekend and I lapped it up from top to bottom! Each and every article sent my imagination soaring and I’ve added a few activities to my “Must Do” list! I especially enjoyed the Weekend Boating at Clanwilliam Dam article; who knew that Clanwilliam was such a jewel? And to end the perfect read, I made the Key Lime Pie - absolutely yummy!

Maybe a recommendation: Why don’t you cover certain areas and give a few options of what activities could be enjoyed in those areas? For instance, one month you could cover the Magaliesberg area, the next month you could cover Plettenberg Bay, etc.

Best regards, Yolandi Maia

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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 to +27 82 452 8110. Alternatively, email your name, cell number and delivery address to mail@prestigemag.co.za. You can also subscribe online at www.prestigemag.co.za.

Print: Business Print, Pretoria

Cover Images Credits: Main: Bavaria. Thumbnails: LVMH International; Panerai; Pagani; iStockphoto.com

PRESTIGE > C I = : A 6 E D ; A J M J G N

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 © 2008. All copyright for material appearing in this magazine belongs to Chapel Lane Media and/or the individual contributors. All rights reserved.

GizmosGadgetsGear PUMA Gears Up for Sailing Sports lifestyle brand PUMA will introduce its new PUMA Sailing Lifestyle collection during this year’s Volvo Ocean Race. This new collection features three lines, namely Performance, Lifestyle and Volvo Ocean Race, each of which has its own apparel, footwear and accessories for sailing and lifestyle. Across the three collections, the apparel includes an SLS Performance Tee with wicking properties and Cyclofresh finish, with the comfortable, functional Performance Polo also boasting fast wicking micro-pique. The Performance footwear is designed for action with its waterproof, corrosion-resistant fabric, Gore-Tex inner bootie with rubber outsole, and protective toe wrap. The Volvo Ocean Race footwear boasts non-marking outsoles for wet surfaces and features integrated draining systems and hanging loops, with the Kite L crafted from water and salt resistant leather. Putting a new spin on traditional sailing apparel, footwear, and accessories, the collection does not just meet the needs and tastes of consumers on and off-shore – it surpasses them. For further information, contact PUMA on +27 21 551 0832 or visit www.puma.com.

Digital Drum Roll, Please If you are the sort of person who darts about the kitchen thumping your hands on anything and everything that could possibly emit a drumbeat, then it might be time you took your hobby seriously. Coming from a long and illustrious line of Yamaha electronic drum kits, the DTXTREME III can act as a standout, stand-alone instrument or function as the front end of a complete music production system embracing live performance, rhythm training, music creation and studio recording. You can also compile your own kits, store your own sounds and sequence new beats. The Aux jack allows you to attach any CD player, iPod or audio device and jam to your favourite tunes, while the digital output lets you send a signal in digital quality to an external recording device. The kit comes complete with a powerful sequencing engine and outstanding sampling capability. Move over Phil Collins. For more information contact Global Music on +27 11 454 1131 or visit www.yamaha.co.za. Suggested retail price is around R59,500.

Sneak a Speaker into the Outdoors Love listening to Marvin Gaye on a Saturday night while you sip Chardonnay on your patio but can’t quite get the speaker cord to stretch far enough to make the melodies audible? Niles loudspeakers offer living room quality sound outdoors, and with their sophisticated, advanced technologies, the benefits of said speakers are easily heard. All designed to seamlessly blend high fidelity with your architecture, the integrated woofer and baffle assembly in the OS models delivers powerful bass from a small, elegant cabinet that tucks neatly into corners or under eaves. The loudspeakers incorporate several innovative design features, including an elegantly tapered cabinet that can be installed vertically or horizontally. Their shatterproof glass and mineral-filled enclosures are completely sealed and internally cross-braced for increased rigidity, while their textured surface, rust-proof aluminium grille and pivoting mounting bracket are also fully paintable. Every OS model features threaded inserts for custom mounting brackets and comes with an additional shelf stand so they may be placed on a bookshelf or used indoors. For more information contact Balanced Audio on +27 11 314 0760.

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soar

Take Flight in a Microlight Whether you choose to float serenely, enjoying a bird’s-eye view of the mountainous regions of the country, or prefer to push the limit with hardcore aerobatics, microlighting is a daring way of experiencing the true essence of flight.

Words: Lola Young; TANYA GOODMAN Images: © Jeff Goudie/Underberg Adventures; istockphoto.com

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he structure of the microlight has advanced quite considerably from its initial design of a basic undercarriage with a motor attached to a set of hang gliding wings. Although these were originally intended as powered aircraft, they still used wire bracing and singlesurface wings. The first generation of microlights, otherwise known as ultra-light type planes, date back to the early 1900s, with the second generation of microlights beginning their evolution in the mid 1970s.

Nowadays, the equipment is much more advanced, with build quality and airworthiness of ultra-light aircraft now equalling that of certified light aircraft.

Microlight devotees are generally a pioneering bunch who recall the heroic period of early aviation when the quest for exploration and desire to stretch the imagination led individuals to conquer distant horizons. Addressing the Royal Aeronautical Association in 2000, Brian Milton, journalist and adventurer extraordinaire, critiqued the trend in modern aviation exploration, marked by Howard Hughes’ July 1983 round the world flight, for its emphasis on “higher, bigger, faster.” “The pilot,” Milton argued, “might as well be flying a bus.”

With the advent of satellite Global Positioning Systems (GPS), quipped Milton, “you hardly look out the window at all, except to make sure you don't hit

someone else experiencing ‘flight’.”

Microlights, of which there are two types, flex wing and fixed wing, can have either one or two seats, giving you the choice to fly solo or simply take pleasure in a joyride as a passenger. The latter of these lets you leave control entirely in the hands of the pilot while you relax and appreciate the surroundings. Should you brave handling the controls yourself, you will likely be impressed by the speed and manoeuvrability of these little craft. There is something quite exhilarating about the power and freedom of flight when you are piloting the craft yourself.

As Brian Milton suggested, commercial aeroplanes are so large that while aloft, you do not really register that you are in the air. This could not be more different in a microlight. A trip in one of these nippy, lightweight flying machines is about as close as one could get to being a bird. The sensation is one of sitting on air, and is especially invigorating when the craft turns in mid-flight. If you can muster the nerve, the pilot can switch off the engines too, converting the microlight into a glider that floats peacefully on the thermals, soaring down to a gentle landing on a grassy field or sandy beach below. Although microlighting can be done at almost any time of the year, the sport is highly dependent on wind conditions.

In April 2009, two Belgian pilots, Marc Loncke and Freddy Lemaître, will attempt to break the record for the fastest microlight circumnavigation flight, aiming to complete the approximately 44,000-kilometre trip in a maximum of 40 days. The current record is held by Colin Bodill, from the UK, who made the first solo circumnavigation of the globe in 2000 in his Mainair Blade 912 Flexwing microlight aircraft. Bodill completed the trip in 99 days, flying in the footsteps of Brian Milton who, in 1998, had claimed the record for the fastest opencockpit single-engined flight around the world. Milton’s flight of 120 days beat the record that had stood at 175 days since four American Army pilots set it in 1924.

The South African climate offers many opportunities for microlighting, which is considered to be one of the safest forms of sport flying. It is an exciting activity offering a splendid mix of adventure and tranquillity – little wonder it has such a large global following. It perfectly captures the spirit of early aviation: pioneering, thrilling and a little eccentric. Flying these quirky little aircraft, with their panoramic views from the cockpit, is a great way to get airborne and have a go at flying for the first time.

To book a microlight flight, visit www.adventureescapades.co.za, the largest listing of adventure activities in South Africa. 

spl a s h

BAVARIA 37

AVANTGARDE

New Custom Options Words & Images; © WILTEL MARINE

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ain promptly commissioned market research on the Bavaria products to find out what their dealers and consumers expected from the brand. The results would form the cornerstone of the future growth for the company and would lead to their recent announcement that Bavaria will introduce brand new custom options on the 37 series.

The 37 series is the top selling model in the Bavaria stable, so it seems to be a natural choice to focus on in order to keep sales at an optimum level. Bavaria’s strength has traditionally been its exceptional value for money – a direct result of high production volumes and corresponding purchasing power. These strengths did, however, limit the number of options with regards to customisation for the consumer. So, the introduction of the new Highline and Avantgarde options means a total shift in its traditional thinking and shows a commitment to address the needs of consumers and dealers. This heralds a new and even more aggressive stance to retaining its leading position in the marketplace.

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The global private equity giant, Bain Capital, acquired Bavaria Yachtbau in 2007. The industry has been holding its breath to see what changes and innovation would follow at Bavaria, the largest boat manufacturer in Europe, which had dominated the market with 3,500 boats being sold in the previous year.

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Although the traditional 37Sport and 37HT (Hard Top), with its mahogany interior and white and blue styling, will still be available, the customer can now choose to upgrade to the Highline version. The Highline option offers the consumer a choice of a further four interior upholstery colours: turquoise, grey, cream and dark blue.

Bavaria’s top end option will be the Highline Avantgarde. The choice really moves the goal posts in terms of customisation. Apart from the Highline option, the customer has further material options for Melange: in light brown, dark grey, beige and dark brown. The other upgrades include a choice of wood interior finishes, which are selected to offer complementary wood trim and flooring looks. Walnut panelling with oak flooring or light oak panelling with light nut flooring provide for an array of colour combinations to reflect your own style. The cockpit variations are probably the widest range of colours offered in the industry. The seating colours afford a true break from tradition, to replace the standard white upholstery and blue line found on so many craft, and consumers now have a variety of colour alternatives for the extremely bold, right down to the more conservative. Colours like red, nut brown, orange, dark blue, cream and white probably covers the whole spectrum of feasible options.

These options will initially only be available on the top-selling 37 series, but who knows what the future holds with the new owners who do not seem to be afraid of addressing the needs of the various customers and markets.

The Bavaria series is represented in South Africa by Wiltel Marine, one of our most successful and professional local boat distributors. Wiltel has a team of permanent representatives in each of the major boating cities, and there are several boats on the water in each location. This strategy allows prospective customers the real opportunity to step on-board and to get out on our local waters to experience the phenomenal handling of Bavaria’s sturdy manufacture.

Go and take a good look around your local marina to see exactly how popular Bavaria has become among local boat owners.

Wiltel has also developed a rather innovative suite of ownership options. The new owner has the choice between the outright purchase of a pre-owned boat (Bavaria owners love upgrading for larger models of Bavarias). Or, you can use one of Wiltel’s customisation or finance options to order your own new Bavaria.

Alternatively, you can buy a share in one of Wiltel’s Boatshare programmes where

A NEW CLASS OF BOATING

when you expect nothing but the best...

AICON YACHTS COLLECTION

0860 MARINE Nationwide 0860 627463 www.bavariaboats.co.za www.aiconboats.co.za www.boatshare.co.za

FLYBRIDGE

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OPEN

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New Offices: 1st Floor, Block A, 7 West Quay, West Quay Road Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa Sales Offices in Cape Town, Knysna and Richards Bay Tel: (021) 421-8426, Fax (021) 421- 8346 All Hours: 082 562 5145

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the boat is registered as a company.

The new owner only pays one-tenth of the price along with other owners, and Wiltel manages all the arrangements relating to this floating company, including maintenance and even crewing if requested.

Part of the phenomenal success of Bavaria internationally and domestically must be attributed to its very competitive pricing. Entry level pricing through one of the Boatshare models start at about R500,000. The ever popular 37Sport HT (Hard Top) sells at approximately R2,695,000, depending on the various options that an owner may or may not add.

Try buying a three bedroom apartment in the Cape for that price!

The Bavaria series includes the 27Sport, the 30Sport, the 30Sport with Hard Top (great for the unpredictable Cape weather), and then both Sport and Sport Hard Top models in sizes 33 foot, 37 foot, and 42 foot. Truth be told, these boats are actually all a bit larger, as Bavaria measures only the usable length in water of their craft, which adds almost 2 foot to each boat.

The Bavaria series has earned its spurs in South African waters, as the growing popularity of the boat around our coastline testifies. If you are ready to ease your family into the beauty of the boating lifestyle, there is no more reliable a place to start than talking to the people from Bavaria.  Contact Wiltel Marine: • 0860 Marine (0860 62 7463) • www.wiltelmarine.co.za • www.bavariaboats.co.za • www.boatshare.co.za

RANGE ROVER SPORT Tread lightly off-road.

504831

www.landrover.co.za

Volvo Ocean Race Life at the Extreme

Words: VOLVO OCEAN RACE Image: © OSKAR KIHLBORG/ERICSSON RACING TEAM

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his around the world ocean race is not known as “The Everest of Sailing” for nothing, and this years race will be tougher than ever. Pushed to the brink day upon day, often thousands of miles from landfall, crew, boat and equipment must be able to survive every condition imaginable.

During the race the crews will experience life at the extreme and will need to draw on huge reserves of physical and emotional strength. No fresh food is taken onboard so they live off freeze-dried fare; they will experience temperature variations from -5 to +40 °C; and will only take one change of clothes. They will trust their lives to the boat and the skipper and experience hunger and sleep deprivation.

The 37,000-mile course will take the fleet from the windless sauna of the Doldrums to 70-knot winds in the Southern Ocean, where battling mountainous seas and dodging icebergs is all in a day’s work.

It is little wonder that team leaders

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and boat designers go to great lengths to ensure that crew and boat are fit for the race. Crew training begins many months before the race start. Living and working together, crews begin test sailing their boat, getting to know it while liaising with designers and sailmakers to modify and improve its performance.

Off the water, life is just as busy, as sailors are put through their paces by team nutritionists, fitness instructors, medics and physiotherapists embarking on an intense programme that will ensure they are at their physical peak before the race begins. This programme will continue during the race stopovers, with injuries massaged, fitness and strength repaired and stomachs comforted by the team chef.

As well as physical preparation, cutting edge technology is vital in helping the boats make it round the course faster than ever. A new boat design, the Volvo Open 70, was introduced for the 2005/06 event and immediately proved faster and more dynamic than any boat previously

sailed in the race. It is widely expected that the 2008/09 fleet will set a new record that could even break the 600-mile mark.

The biggest challenge for designers is to create a structure that can take the huge shock loads on the hull, rig and winches as the boats slam up and downwind, but that at the same time is not too heavy. To this end, the hull is constructed to be as strong and light as possible, with a protective outer barrier of carbon fibre, and filled with honeycomb core.

However well thought out the design, the boats are far from infallible – impacting at speed with an iceberg lurking below the surface is the stuff of skippers’ nightmares, as it could rip the hull apart and leave the boat sinking rapidly. Through ice, rain, sleet and snow, through millpond calms and violent storms, crew and boat must withstand and perform through the most extreme conditions. Leg 1 from Alicante, Spain to Cape Town starts on the 11th of October. 

PH O T O : O SKAR KIH L B O R G / ER IC SSO N R AC IN G T EAM

MOBILE PLATFORM

A wind powered media platform?

Fast and effective, globally competitive.

Follow the Volvo Ocean Race on your mobile phone.

Experience progress. Experience being on board.

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TRULY EXCLUSIVE TRAVEL

Heli-Ski &

Monaco Grand Prix The world has become a small place. And access to what used to be the far corners of the Earth has become readily available to many. For those seeking something out of the ordinary in luxury travel plus personalised service, you need a specialist travel operator that can facilitate your privileged entrée to a few rare places overlooked by the masses.

Words: ELLA TURNER Images: © Dunton Hot Springs; istockphoto.com; Hokulani/IYC; quickpic

P

erhaps you are looking to spoil your partner with a romantic interlude in a ghost town where only the two of you, amidst powdery snow, can bathe in the natural hot springs at sunset after an invigorating day on the ski slopes. Or, you want to impress your potential business partners with a private excursion onboard a superyacht that docks at Monaco

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during the Grand Prix Monte Carlo. Truly Exclusive, a South African luxury travel broker, is the best bet for arranging all the fine details that go into making such a trip a success.

Access to two such very special places is now offered by Truly Exclusive to Prestige readers, and forms part of Truly Exclusive’s impressive portfolio of travel experiences that range from the thrilling to the sublime.

Grand Prix Monte Carlo Onboard SuperYacht Hokulani The Grand Prix in Monaco is the oldest street course Grand Prix and the most glamorous of all racing events. Taking place on the narrow and winding streets of the picturesque city of Monte Carlo along the Côte d’Azur, celebrities, VIPs and racing fanatics travel to the playground of millionaires to watch this classic event.

sp o il

Some find a great view perched on rooftops and balconies. But, for those who desire absolute privacy plus the hottest seat in town, the most prestigious vantage point is from the deck of a luxury yacht moored in the Monaco harbour.

The Truly Exclusive seven-day excursion starts a few days prior to the race weekend and kicks off with a racing experience. On this full day outing you are transferred by helicopter from Nice to Circuit du Var, where you are kitted out with the appropriate gear, given safety briefings and a few practice runs in an F3 racing car before the ultimate event – six laps in a Formula One race car.

On the days of the Grand Prix, get close to the action with unrivalled access to the pit lane. Meet some of the drivers and teams to hear their strategy and then watch the action on the track unfold from an exclusive club suite offering outstanding service, first-class cuisine, an open bar with champagne, pit lane walkabouts at allotted times, flat screen television monitors and exclusive entertainment.

Your accommodation for the seven days is onboard superyacht Hokulani, a stunning 150-foot Palmer Johnson creation. She boasts five ultra luxurious cabins that can accommodate up to 12 guests, with a crew of eight to attend to your every desire.

Leisure time amenities include all the multimedia facilities you would expect plus the entire spectrum of water toys and tenders for activities at sea.

Truly Exclusive offers an inclusive SuperYacht Hokulani Monaco Grand Prix package from R57,750 per person per night, sharing, minimum of seven nights; subject to availability and change. Services include: • Luxury return transfers from JNB to/from OR Tambo airport with a gift basket including Dom Pérignon champagne.

• Return first-class flights from Johannesburg to Nice.

• Return helicopter transfers between Nice and Monaco.

• F1 & F3 racing adventure with helicopter transfers.

• Accommodation and exclusive use of superyacht Hokulani. MYBA WMT terms apply.

• VIP access to the executive suite at the race track on qualifying and race days, including pit lane access, open bar and snacks.

• Visa processing.

• Comprehensive travel insurance.

• Food and beverages, berthing fees, additional activities and excursions, purchases and telephone calls, VAT and service charges are excluded.

Dunton Hot Springs (Colorado) Heli-Skiing Not many people have heard of Dunton; that’s because until recently, this was a ghost town. A collection of log cabins (including a dance hall, chapel and saloon), Dunton was a typical makeshift mining town that sprung up in the Rockies during the gold rush of the late 1800s. Legend has it that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid holed up here after robbing the bank at Telluride – Butch Cassidy’s name is still

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carved in the saloon bar to prove it.

Purchased and totally restored a few years ago, the entire town looks as if nothing has changed at all: the roofs are still covered in rusted plates and most structures are made of weathered logs.

Indoors you will find rustic Santa Fe antiques, African masks, Turkish kilims, Rajastani beds, Chinese chairs and Moroccan rugs that perfectly complement the ragtag exteriors of these former miners’ huts.

The saloon has a fully-equipped kitchen and one of the houses features a grand indoor spring complete with cold tub and massage facilities. There is a two-storey library with a roaring fireplace, leather armchairs and a substantial collection of books about the American West. The camp functions today as a corporate and executive retreat with all luxuries laid on, providing an atmospheric leap back to the romantic days of the Wild West.

One of the finest places on earth to heli-ski is just a 15-minute hop from Dunton. Heli-skiing is off-trail, downhill skiing that is reached by a helicopter, not a ski lift. Essentially, this means skiing in a

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pristine, remote environment without the effort or gear required for hiking into these areas. Best conditions for skiing here are between January and March.

Truly Exclusive offers an all inclusive Heli-Ski Dunton Hot Springs package from R30,500 per person per night, sharing, minimum of three nights; subject to availability and change. Services include: • Return transfers from JNB to/from OR Tambo airport with a BMW X5 4.8i including a gift basket with Moët & Chandon champagne.

• Return business class flights from Johannesburg to Atlanta.

• Return economy class flights from Atlanta to Durango airport • Return transfers from/to Durango airport and Dunton Hot Springs.

• Accommodation for three nights (all meals included).

• Helicopter transfers from/to Dunton Hot Springs.

• Two days of heli-skiing with six runs per day.

• Helicopter, guides and related services provided.

• Comprehensive travel insurance. 

Truly Exclusive is a luxury travel broker specialising in four main categories: accommodation, transport, activities, and security. Within this framework, Truly Exclusive is able to cater to your every need and personal preference, anything from Egyptian cotton sheets to a particular brand of toiletries. Visit www.trulyexclusive.co.za for further information on properties and services, call + 27 12 809 4146 or email info@trulyexclusive.co.za.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR PRESTIGE READERS:

The first three Prestige readers to book a trip to the Monaco Grand Prix or to Dunton Hot Springs with Truly Exclusive can choose between the following two free give-aways, courtesy of Truly Exclusive: • A two night stay for two people at a five-star spa in South Africa; or • A one day golfing experience at Sun City, where you and two of your guests will be flown via private plane to enjoy a four-ball game of golf with the pilot. Lunch, golf cart hire and green fees also included.

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PAGANI ZONDA

These days the wealthy demand more from their expensive toys than mere excellence. Any old multi-millionaire can park a barn load of cash with Bentley or Rolls-Royce. If you really want to show the world you have arrived, the absolute must have 21st Century car is one that is not only quicker and more costly than a light aircraft but also, and crucially, one that is available to hardly anyone else in the world, no matter who they are.

Words: DALE IMERMAN Images: © PAGANI ZONDA

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hat is why Lamborghini is building just 20 of its Murcielago-based Reventón hypercars. Ferrari built just 30 FXX versions of its Enzo, at £1.3m a pop and strictly for favoured customers only - Michael Schumacher included. And it is why Pagani is shouting from the rooftops that it is only making five versions of this ultimate Zonda that it has aptly called the Zonda Cinque (Italian for five and pronounced cheen qway). If your name’s not on the list, it doesn’t matter if it’s Roman, Bill or Warren: you’re not going to have one.

Pagani is not just a supercar manufacturer, but rather a place where artistic objects take form following the renowned car tradition of Modena and the Renaissance concepts of art and science combined together by Leonardo Da Vinci over 500 years ago. No compromises are accepted in the use of innovative materials to express the passion and skill of the artisans who designed and built them.

So what do you get aside from the exclusivity that makes Fabergé eggs seem like standard Easter offerings? Predictably, this Zonda is faster than ever, producing

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780Nm of torque from its 7.3-litre V12 Mercedes Benz AMG engine. It will be the first car in this small company’s range to feature a sequential gearbox manageable both with paddles behind the steering wheel and with the traditional gear stick on the central tunnel.

The exterior is wrapped with Pagani's latest invention, carbon-titanium, a special fibre purposely created for the Zonda Cinque, which will eventually be used on the new generation models. Special materials aren't just reserved for the shell either. If titanium-forged wheels featuring the Pagani logo don't get your heart racing, perhaps the carbon-coated steel roll bar will or the leather-clad carbon fibre seats – almost every imaginable part has been custom created from state-of-the-art materials that ultimately shed a full 20 kilograms off the vehicle.

Suprisingly, the vehicle wasn't conceived without reason. It was a formal request from the Zonda dealership in Hong Kong that intrigued the small Swedish company enough to consider such a venture. And who would have guessed that months later, the project would be set into motion – 350km/h to be

spri n t

precise. The Zonda Cinque hops from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds; no wonder you get four-point racing harnesses included.

Further to these technical qualities, the Zonda also represents a profitable investment. For example, the first C12 has increased its value 100 percent. The Zonda F Coupés and Roadsters have reached €1 million on the second hand market. Thanks to this trend, the brand

value has consequently gone up.

After the great success of the Geneva Car Show in 2008 for Pagani's Zonda F and Zonda R, a limited series, which was sold out before being produced, it seems like the customer still cannot accept that the production of these blue-chip models has come to a conclusion.

Many auto afficionados may be aware of the widely publicised number plate "1," purposely

bought for a Zonda F at a charity auction in the Middle East by a famous car collector Sheik for the price of €14 million.

Only a vehicle like a Zonda could become an icon in such a short period of time. The Cinque is no exception and no matter how much money you have in the bank, a glimpse of this astonishing masterpiece will have you drooling like a pound puppy at a butcher shop. 

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Panerai Celebrating Ancient Seafarers

Classic Yachts Challenge Since the second half of the 1970s, there has grown among yachting enthusiasts an interest in older yachts, built using classic materials and according to traditional criteria. The number of vintage yachts is continuously expanding, as is the number of craftsmen, shipbuilders, entrepreneurs, owners, organising associations, sponsors, yachtsmen and yachtswomen involved in classic sailing.

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Words: CHARL DU PLESSIS Images: Š PANERAI; charl du plessis

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n recent years, several international events dedicated to classic yachting have sprung up.

Shipyards specialising in the accurate restoration of older yachts have been established, and the number of owners interested in projects for rescuing and restoring vintage and classic yachts is constantly growing. The success of the great meetings and regattas has been accompanied by the birth of class associations on both sides of the Atlantic. Every yachtsman and nautical enthusiast has a particular preference for classic or vintage yachts as the sight of a yacht with traditional lines is an evocation of history, of tradition and of the deeds of ancient seafarers: values that are acquiring an ever greater importance in modern times. Today, every period yacht is a kind of sailing museum, itself a symbol of the art of going to sea handed down over time.

It is fitting that the premier global series, the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, is sponsored by Panerai watches, whose roots go back to 1850, when Giovanni Panerai opened his little watchmaking

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workshop in Florence. Thanks to the solid relationship he built up with the finest manufacturers in Switzerland, together with his family he began assembling watches, over time specialising in the art and techniques of assembly, maintenance and care of watches and other measuring instruments. This laid the foundations for what would become a success story of heritage and craftsmanship without parallel in the world of watchmaking. Owning a limited edition Panerai watch is every serious collector’s dream.

Prestige was invited to attend the Imperia, Italy leg of the 2008 Classic Yachts Challenge. There is a kind of quiet pride in visiting this Mediterranean scene of European playboys, princes and politicians, knowing that this premier brand is actually in South African hands through the Richemont Group, the Rupert family’s international company. We managed to squeeze in two words of Afrikaans sideways with some of the family members attending a race dinner in San Remo, halfway up the coast on the way to Monaco.

Their ancestors likely made it to South Africa in a ship under the same steely resolve and daring of these seafarers of old who were now being celebrated.

This was the 15th edition of the Vele d’Epoca d’Imperia (Epic Sailing Race), held bi-annually in the historic setting of Calata Anselmi at Porto Maurizio. The yachts are divided into classes and categories, from the smallest vessels to the most impressive Big Boats. Vintage Yachts are those yachts built of wood or metal, launched before 31 December 1949 and remaining consistent with their original designs. There is also the Vintage Yachts Replica category for yachts which, regardless of their launch date, were built to designs made before 31 December 1949, using procedures consistent with the techniques and materials of the time.

Classic Yachts are yachts built of wood or metal and launched before 31 December 1975. Yachts built in series are not admissible. Regardless of the number produced, yachts built in series are deemed to be those constructed by a single shipyard or under an exclusive license using parts made from unique moulds or patterns as the case may be, which are therefore interchangeable between one example and another. Defined as Classic Yacht Replicas, they are yachts which, regardless of their launch date, were built following designs made before 31 December 1975.

Also competing was the Spirit of Tradition category, which includes vintage

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LUMINOR REGATTA 2008 CHRONOGRAPH

or classic yachts that are not eligible for the other main categories, and are those constructed in 1970 or later, using modern techniques and materials that have an appearance and style faithful to a traditional vintage or classic design. These vessels are allowed to have modern hulls and their equipment can make use of modern technologies.

The Rule 2006-2009 (available on the AIVE website for sailing enthusiasts) includes a series of general regulations concerning ratings, the maintenance of yachts in prescribed conditions, the size of the crew (including details of the minimum number of crew members for each class of yacht), the courses and duration of the races, the relationship with ISAF racing regulations and possible protests, and more.

Among the largest yachts this year were Sylvia, a 42-metre Marconi ketch built by Camper & Nicholson in 1925; Zaca, an auric 40-metre schooner built by Garlan Ruch in 1929, later owned by Errol Flynn; Black Swan, an auric 39-metre ketch, one of the largest designs of Charles Nicholson and also one of the oldest yachts taking part, dating from 1899; and Moonbeam IV, a 31-metre cutter built by William Fife in 1920.

Majestic, beautiful and carefully preserved, these yachts have so many stories to tell.

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Among the oldest yachts, the record is held by Fyne, a 28-metre auric cutter from William Fife, which dates back to 1889 and was magnificently restored in 2008.

Competing with each other in both fascination and sailing performance were the two International 12-metre yachts: Emilia, built by Attilio Costaguta in 1930 for Giovanni Agnelli and which now belongs to the Rusconi family; and La Spina, built in 1929 by Vittorio Baglietto at Varazze for the Marchese Franco Spinola, the subject of a celebrated restoration between 2007 and 2008.

The Vintage Yacht class competitors included the American yacht Rowdy and the Italian yacht Amorita, owned by Claudio Mealli who had the champion Mauro Pelaschier at the helm. The Classic category saw the continuation of the competition between Stormvogel (Imperia winner), the ketch of 1960 designed by Giles and Van De Stadt, which was the forerunner of the ultra light designs, and the glorious former IOR yachts such as Dida IV and Emeraude.

What a feast to bob around the water with these beautiful dames of yesteryear Our sincere thank you to Christine Roux and her highly professional team at Vendôme, South African distributors of Panerai and several other Richemont brands including Cartier, Jaeger le Coultre, and IWC. 

Now a cult object highly sought after by enthusiasts, as well as being the prize for the winners of this year’s trophy, Panerai released a watch celebrating the 2008 races. It is a polished steel chronograph of 44mm diameter that uses the hand-wound OP XXVI movement. It is backed by the COSC certificate, which certifies its accurate time measurement. Limited to 500 units, the edition is distinguished by the image of the fourth Panerai trophy, which is engraved on the back.

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str ay

Namibia

Skeleton Coast By Air

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lthough it is more oft than not used to describe the entire Namib Desert coast, the Skeleton Coast is actually the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean coast of Namibia, extending South of Angola from the Kunene River towards the Swakop River. Forming a part of the Namib Desert, various sections of the Skeleton Coast have conservation status, such as the Namib-Naukluft Park in the south, the Skeleton Coast Park in the north (between the Ugab and the Kunene rivers) and Angola’s Iona Park.

The upwelling of the cold Benguela current gives rise to dense ocean fogs, what the Angolans call cassimbo, combined with heavy surf on the beaches. Back in the days of human-powered boats, while it was possible to make it to the shore through the water, the only way back into the ocean was via a marsh hundreds of kilometres long, and only accessible through the hot, dry desert.

The coastline and adjoining desert form a sparsely populated area with landscape, animal and plant diversity varying from region to region. Namibia declared the 16,000-square-kilometre Skeleton Coast National Park over much of the area, from the Ugab River to the Kunene, with the northern half of the park a designated wilderness area. Noteworthy natural attractions within this include the clay castles of the Hoarisib, the Agate Mountain salt pans, and the large seal colony at Cape Fria.

Kaokoland adjoins the northern section of the Skeleton Coast; a rugged

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The bleached bones of hundreds of animals and the skeletal shipwrecks of more than a thousand vessels of various sizes litter the waters and sands of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. In fact, this is how the coastline got its name. Portuguese sailors once referred to it as, “The Gates of Hell,” while the San of the Namibian interior called it, “The Land God Made in Anger.”

Words: Toni Ackermann Images: © SKELETON COAST SAFARIS; LEIGH DANIZ; SCHOEMAN FAMILY

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land inhabited by the Himba people, who still dress and live according to ancient traditions and customs. Damaraland is the region south of Kaokoland and north of the main road to Swakopmund. It is inhabited by the Damara people, who have adopted Western lifestyles to a large extent. Both areas are renowned for their diversity of wilderness landscape and interesting flora and fauna, which includes the desert-adapted elephant, endangered black rhino, millions-of-years-old Petrified Forest, and the unique “fossil” tree, Welwitschia Mirabilis.

Over the years, the Skeleton Coast has been the subject of many documentaries, pertaining particularly to the animal and vegetation’s adaptations to the extreme aridity of the region. Many of the insect and plant species of the sand dune ecological systems depend on the thick sea fogs for their moisture and on the windblown detritus from the interior for food. The desert bird species have been studied for their adaptations in thermoregulation, colouration, breeding strategies and nomadism. The desert animals, which include baboons, giraffes, lions, black rhinoceros, springbok and gemsbok, get their water from wells dug mostly by the baboons and elephants.

Skeleton Coast Safaris offers a choice of four safaris, varying in number of days, included activities, and extent of regional travel. The introduction by aircraft to the Namib Desert and coastline is one of the highlights of the safari. Although several game species occur in these parts, the prime purpose of the safaris is to experience the freedom, beauty and strange solitude of the locale, and thus sighting game is always considered a bonus.

Safari A (a four-day, three-night expedition) follows the Skeleton Coast from Conception Bay to the Huab Valley, continuing up the coast as far as the Hoarusib Valley and the Kunene River before flying back into Windhoek.

Highlights include the Kuiseb Canyon and red dunes viewed by air, the Eduard Bohlen

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shipwreck at Conception Bay, the Ugab formations, ancient rock engravings, the red lava and yellow sandstone of the Huab River environs, the Welwitschia Mirabilis, Skeleton Coast Park, Hoarusib Valley nomadic Himba settlement, Kaiu Maru shipwreck, and a boat trip along the Kunene River.

Safari B (a four-day, three-night trip) leaves Windhoek and flies to Sossusvlei, reputed to have the highest sand dunes in the world, continuing up through Conception Bay and the Huab and Hoarusib Valleys. Highlights include the Namib Naukluft Park, a trip through the 300 metres and taller dunes, a visit to Swakopmund, the Eduard Bohlen shipwreck, Ugab formations, Welwitschia Mirabilis, the Hoarusib Valley nomadic Himba settlement, Kaiu Maru shipwreck, and a boat trip along the Kunene River.

Safari C (a five-day, four-night excursion) combines the Skeleton Coast with Sossusvlei and the Etosha National Park. Highlights include the Namib Naukluft Park, the tall dunes of Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and the Conception Bay shipwreck, the seal colony at Cape Cross, the Ugab formations, ancient rock engravings at Kuidas camp, Terrace Bay, the Hoarusib Valley, the Kaiu Maru shipwreck, the Hartmann Valley, and of course, the Etosha National Park.

Safari D (a six-day, five-night adventure) includes a drive into Sossusvlei, the Namibrand Nature Reserve, and the rather rare venturing into the Sperrgebiet (forbidden diamond area). The safari continues along the Skeleton Coast via Spencer Bay, the Huab and Hoarusib Valleys, and the Kunene River. Other highlights include the Wolwedans Dune Camp, Lüderitz, Kolmanskop ghost town, the Otavi shipwreck, Swakopmund, the seal colony at Cape Cross, Terrace Bay, the nomadic settlement, Hartmann Valley, and a boat trip along the Kunene River.

For further information or to book, visit www.africanhorizonstravel.com or contact African Horizons on +27 31 765 5723. 

still

The Rejuvenation

Glenmorangie Of A Classic Whisky Today Glenmorangie can be considered one of the world’s most stimulating, complex single malt whiskies, born out of the heritage of Scotland and the various innovations that the Company devised. The contemporary range, recently unveiled to the whisky world, sets the benchmark in indulgent drinking and provides a sensual, alluring experience for whisky connoisseurs and discerning drinkers alike.

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n the far north of Scotland, beyond Inverness and half a mile from the Ancient and Royal Burgh of Tain, lies the distillery that creates the whisky nation's favourite dram – Glenmorangie. A whisky that today reaches all four corners of the globe. Think "orange" when you pronounce it – the name rolls on the tongue just like this rich bodied whisky. Think "heaven" when you visit it, for its cluster of barns and outbuildings lie in a tranquil glen overlooking the shores of the Dornoch Firth.

In fact, locally, Glenmorangie is known as the "Glen of Tranquillity."

Rumour has it that alcohol of one form or another has been produced at Glenmorangie since the Middle Ages.

According to official accounts, however, this iconic whisky house was started in 1738 when a brewery was built at Morangie Farm in Ross-shire, Scotland. In 1843, then-owner, William Matheson converted the brewery into a distillery, purchasing

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“

So precious is this source of water that Glenmorangie has acquired the entire catchment area of the spring.

Words: LEE NELSON Images: © LVMH INTERNATIONAL

two second hand gin stills and taking the name of the farm – and thus the legend of Glenmorangie was born.

The Glenmorangie Company is situated in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, in the Royal Burgh of Tain, Ross-shire.

Internationally renowned for its distinctive varietals and as purveyor of the globe’s most awarded single malt whiskies, the distillery is also recognised as a pioneer in its field, uniting tradition with innovation – Glenmorangie is not only the original pioneer of “wood finishes” but is credited with creating a new form of aging that employs a selection of previously used wine barrels to finish off their whiskies.

Whisky connoisseurs know that the key ingredient in any malt whisky is the water that goes into it. In Glenmorangie's case this comes from the Tarlogie Springs, which rise about a mile above the distillery. These waters once fell as rain on the Hill of Tain,

then filtered down through lime and sandstone rocks, gathering minerals on the way, before rising again at Tarlogie.

It can take up to a hundred years for the falling rain to emerge as spring water.

So precious is this source of water that Glenmorangie has acquired the entire catchment area of the spring – allowing this distinctive water to form the base of the inimitable taste that makes Glenmorangie so prized.

Perhaps the most unusual and distinctive aspect of Glenmorangie's process is its distillation. The stills at Glenmorangie are unique in several respects in that they are much smaller than most and they have a boil pot, or small bulge, at the base of the still column on both the wash and spirit stills.

They also have the tallest columns of any stills in Scotland, at nearly five metres.

There's a reason for this – back in 1843 the

original distillery was built around secondhand London Gin stills; and their exceptional height has been a feature of every still used since. This is especially significant, since it ensures that only the lightest and purest vapours can ascend and condense into spirit.

As with anything rare and precious, Glenmorangie takes time and skill to make. Perfection cannot be rushed.

Therefore crafting the singular taste of Glenmorangie is entrusted to the care of just 16 people: the Sixteen Men of Tain.

These craftsmen of Glenmorangie; the patient patrons of quality and excellence, are the backbone of the Glenmorangie Distillery. The Sixteen Men are the unofficial guardians of the malt who still, to this day, use the time-honoured, traditional skills that have passed from generation to generation. Together they ensure that Glenmorangie is made in the same,

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F E AT U R E

“

“

As with anything rare and precious, Glenmorangie takes time and skill to make. Perfection cannot be rushed.

unhurried and uncompromised way it always has been since 1843.

Recent months have seen the Glenmorangie Company unveil the re-branded, luxury Glenmorangie range. The previous varietals have all made way for the new releases – a kaleidoscope of seductive flavours that are set to redefine the luxury single malt category.

Discerning drinkers will be glad to know that the traditional methods of whisky making, perfected by the Sixteen Men of Tain, remain unchanged. The Glenmorangie experience has, however, been substantially rejuvenated and the new, bespoke bottles provide a fitting entrée for the beguiling expressions contained inside.

The new name for the flagship Ten Years Old – now known as the Original – reflects the timeless nature of this original expression of Glenmorangie.

The

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complexity of taste has been further assured by including a significant proportion of the Artisan cask whisky, giving the whisky a creamier mouthfeel and certain richness.

The old “Wood Finish Range” has been replaced by the “Extra Matured Range,” a selection of three single malt whiskies that, following an initial maturation of at least 10 years in ex-bourbon casks, have been matured for an extra period in specially selected, extremely high quality casks that previously held Port, Sherry or Sauternes wine.

This new range consists of Glenmorangie Lasanta – extra matured in Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks; Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban – extra matured in Port pipes selected from the “Quintas” or wine estates of Portugal; and Glenmorangie Nectar D'Òr – extra matured in the very best French Sauternes wine barriques.

Undeniably the most complex and perfectly balanced single malt, every sip of Glenmorangie offers a heady and captivating experience in taste, texture and aroma. Innate heritage fused with contemporary, modern influence permeates the essence of the Glenmorangie brand – alluring, extravagant, rejuvenated; a kaleidoscopic stimulation of the senses. 

slee k

Alfa Romeo III

Lean, Mean, Sailing Machine After six years of sailing at the leading edge of international maxi yacht racing with his maxi and super maxi yachts Alfa Romeo and Alfa Romeo 2, Neville Crichton, the Australasian businessman and yachtsman, is “down-sizing” to his new Alfa Romeo III – but still retaining the Alfa Romeo marque.

Words: Tanya Goodman Images: © Johan Palsson

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ike her predecessors, Alfa Romeo III is, in every respect, at the cutting edge of yacht design, engineering and construction. But this is the first racing craft to feature an interior strongly influenced by the world of the car. She is a Reichel/Pugh design built in Sydney by McConaghy Boats.

McConaghy Boats’ Managing Director, John Morris, who regularly races with Neville Crichton on his maxi yachts, is responsible for the striking interior of Alfa Romeo III. “Knowing Neville's passion for high performance cars,” he says, “I decided to create an interior based on the Alfa Romeo 8C sports car. We collected all the information we could about the 8C to develop the styling, with Steve Moxham doing a lot of the shaping for the final moulds.”

The Alfa concept dominates throughout, and as soon as one descends the companionway, you can see that this is a lean, mean, gleaming racing machine. The interior resembles the grille of an Alfa, even with an Alfa badge at the top. The 8C concept is carried through even to the crew pigeon holes behind the settee/bunks on either side of the long cabin, to the galley

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and to the hanging saloon table. The cabin console completes the styling with its chequered plate look.

Seated at the navigation station is like being in the seat of an 8C, with twin silverpainted bucket seats facing a silver console set into a streamlined engine box. The engine box is painted with Standox Water Bourne “Red Rocket,” a translucent metallic red on a black base with a clear polyurethane over the top. The result is a rich metallic red from a direct view, and a gleaming black that appears from an obtuse angle. It is from the preproduction concept 8C that the engine cover's colour is also taken.

Designed specifically for competition in the Mediterranean, the hull is exceptionally light and her racing displacement will be about 15 tonnes. Weight has been saved in every possible way. A new lightweight foam was used in the sandwich foam of the hull, while almost every metal fitting on the boat is titanium, including the pulpit, pushpit and deck staunchons. The weight saving has even been extended to the colour of the hull, which, unlike the silverpainted Alfa Romeo maxis, is plain white – saving 15 kilos in the weight of paint.

Crichton’s “down shift” is propelled in large part by his enthusiasm for quality and

quantity competition. "I would have loved to have built another 100-footer,” said Crichton, “but there are probably ten yachts in this class in the world that are competitive, and it has proven very hard to get a reasonable number of them, let alone all of them, together for the same event.

With mini maxis there will be more of them built and this means strong, more varied fleets, and that's the sort of racing in which I wish to compete.”

In early September, Chrichton’s 69-foot Alfa Romeo III made her debut in new Mini Maxi Division in Costa Smerelda under the capable guidance of skipper Torben Grael and the Ericsson Volvo Racing Team.

Crichton opted to race his 100-foot super

maxi, Alfa Romeo, in the Super Maxi Division. The concept of a Mini Maxi Division within the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup came into being at a meeting of maxi yacht owners following last year's event in which the 98-foot Morning Glory covered the smaller 63-foot Loki in the final and deciding race to the extent that Loki was forced back down the fleet and out of an overall win. As a result, two divisions were created for this year's Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup – the Maxi Division is now for yachts between 80 foot and 100 foot whereas the Mini Maxi Division is for yachts between 60 foot and 79 foot. While neither Alfa Romeo nor Alfa Romeo III scored an overall win, they took some line honours. In late

September, Crichton and his Alfa Romeo team took Alfa Romeo III to race in the Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez regatta in France. In 2009, Crichton intends to campaign the 69-footer throughout the Northern Hemisphere summer.

Reflecting on his experience sailing Alfa Romeo III, skipper Torben Grael, several times world and Olympic champion (two golds, one silver, two bronzes), said, "The Porto Cervo races were an important testing ground for Alfa Romeo III, which allowed us to measure ourselves against the best crafts in the world. The boat has gained from these races and is well on the way to shaping her own personality." Her possibilities are endless. 

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TURKISH DELIGHT THE GOLDEN ERA OF BOATING There is something romantic about a classic boat that cannot be easily ignored. It takes years of dedication to get to market a product that celebrates the eroticism of a Brigitte Bardot and the Saint-Tropez 60s era, yet incorporates the reliability of today’s manufacturing processes. Kral, which actually means “King,” has perfected this since 1985.

Words & Images © Wiltel Marine; gallo images / getty images

W

hat makes a boat a classic? You must have seen the Charlize Theron advertisement where she steps ashore from a magnificent boat, the polished mahogany finish reflecting the late afternoon glare on the water and her companions hiding behind classy Italian eyewear. She could have been Claudia Cardinale or Sophia Loren in a different time period. The storyline suggests that this select crowd has just spent a day on the water in a style that reflects the idea that the good life is like a personal movie, and that if one were to go boating, it ought to be done in one of these beautiful handcrafted Mediterranean masterpieces.

Kral, the most exciting yacht to hit the South African shores yet, is such a boat.

Willie Truter, Managing Director of Wiltel Marine, and leading local agent for topend imported boats explains, “We have been scouring international boat shows for quite some time in search of the ideal range for South African conditions. Yes, the Italian Riva is beautiful, and there are some other classic boats that go the extra mile as eyecandy, but nothing could compare with what we found with Kral in terms of looks and quality, and at a price that would pleasantly surprise the local market.”

There is an astounding amount of craftsmanship and specialised labour that goes into producing each Kral, and the build quality can clearly be seen in a number of areas. The hull consists of 14 to 16 layers (depending on the model) of hand

Customers also seem to be more daring with the range of colour choices on the 580 Speedster. They have been manufactured in Ferrari Red, Silver, Gold, Deep Metallic Blue, Charcoal and Pearl White, just to mention a few selections. The curvaceous hull design is what characterises Kral, and the colour further accentuates this with its polished finish. The 700 is available either as a Classic design or an Open Bow version. When the 700 was launched at the Southampton Boat Show, some press stories reported that it attracted more attention than most 60 footers. The 990, with a forward cabin combining practical boat qualities with overnight capability, completes the range and this model offers everything the lover of classics, and the serious boating enthusiast, can ask for.

Since all the boats are handmade to exact customer requirements, engines of your choice can be fitted, too. The 580 and 700 models can accommodate either Volvo Penta or Mercruiser engine options. The most popular are the 5.0 and 5.7 litre variants. In the 990, twin engine installation is also possible. Top speeds in excess of 40 knots are easily achieved. Volvo Penta in Turkey did some independent tests, and were able to reach an impressive 60 knots in a 700 equipped with a Volvo Penta 5.7 GXI DP (320 HP) gasoline engine. Not bad for a boat weighing in at two tonnes. Due to the weight of the hand laid hull, the boats are stable in the water. In a recent review, Motor Boats Monthly said that the 700 Classic handles more like a classic sports car than a classic boat. This is a direct result of the weight of the boat as it feels like it is gripping a roadway instead of the “bouncy” feeling normally experienced on boats of this size. In turns the boat holds tightly instead of sliding out of the turn.

Kral is a glorious example of the golden age of motor boating, with classic modern lines, elegant design and striking head turning looks making it the King of Classic boats.  For further information contact: • 0860 MARINE (0860 627463); all hours +27 82 562 5145 • www.kralboats.co.za • www.wiltelmarine.co.za • email: info@wiltelmarine.co.za

“

We have been scouring international boat shows in search of the ideal range for South African conditions. Nothing could compare with what we found with Kral in terms of looks and quality, and at a price that would pleasantly surprise.

“

laid GRP (fibreglass), reinforced with high density polyurethane stringers. The top deck is also laid in GRP. This provides a very strong and reliable basis for the boat. The top deck is then inlaid with mahogany, embedded with epoxy resin and thereafter coated in six layers of UV resistant high gloss varnish. The detail in the mahogany is exceptional, and many large manufacturers can learn the basics of sika surrounds and carefully cut inlays from this relatively small-sized manufacturer.

The foredeck is uncluttered, with recessed cleats and an abundance of highgrade, polished stainless steel. Stainless steel is laser cut off-site and then sculpted, welded and polished in-house by Kral. The rub rail, for example, consists of solid 3mm stainless steel. No place here for the hollow rub rails, which boaters have had to simply accept as an industry standard. The level of quality is remarkable – even the hinges are handmade because the factory is not happy with the thickness on commercially available products. This commitment is further evidenced when looking at the air vent intakes. Long before the grid is placed over the air vent holes, they are covered with stainless edging and inserts; once again, hand polished. No wonder the stainless steel manufacturer is the highest paid worker in the factory.

The Kral handcrafted cockpit harks back to a bygone era with a retro looking dashboard fitted with Faria gauges and old style push/pull buttons. The classic mahogany and spoke steering wheel further enhances this style. Seats are multifunctional Gramer seats with integrated suspension. The attention to detail is also clear in the engine compartment with teak finished flooring and stainless steel engine tray. The engine compartment is well laid out and easily accessible on all the models.

Kral currently offers four models. Wiltel Marine’s Truter says that the models, which are from 5.8 to 9.9 metres, complement Wiltel’s existing range of boats. “We have found something truly unique in design and quality, and Kral offers the customer a host of custom options that will reflect his or her own character.” The 580 Speedster is the most popular model in the range, closely followed by the 700 Classic.

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Giving I s G o o d Fo r Yo u

Words: TANYA GOODMAN; GREATER GOOD SA Images: © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; DI MEEK

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A It is official: giving is good for you. That warm glow you get from giving to others has been scientifically quantified by a series of researchers and neuroscientists. Perhaps, then, we should focus on how to foster a culture of generosity that can make a significant impact on the communities in which we live, and ourselves.

number of recent studies have shown that giving to good causes works on our brain chemistry to make us happier. Scientists have been looking at exactly why giving makes people happy and came to the conclusion that giving affects brain chemistry – charitable activity releases a rush of endorphins, the body’s “feel good” hormones. Researchers at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in Bethesda, Maryland, looked at the brains of 19 volunteers who were choosing whether to give money to charity or keep it for themselves. Using magnetic resonance imaging, which maps the activity of different sections of the brain, researchers found that the part of the brain that was active during this experiment was the mesolimbic pathway. This is the “reward centre” of the brain that provides the euphoria associated with sex or eating good food. In other words, making a financial contribution to a non-profit triggered the brain’s pleasure centre.

In another study, published in the 31 March 2008 issue of Science, researchers from the University of British Columbia found that individuals who donate to charity or give to others got more of a boost in their own happiness level than they experienced when spending money on themselves. The researchers found that even giving as little as R40 may be enough to generate a happiness pay-off. Their final conclusion: those who spend more on others rate themselves happier, regardless of income.

Often, though, the problem is how to turn good intentions into worthwhile results – not so much whether to give but who to give to and what to give – shall we offer money, time, resources or expertise?

And will it actually make a difference?

Here at home, there is so much need and so much wealth. How do we connect the two worlds? In South Africa’s sailing community, one such great example stands out – Izivunguvungu MSC Foundation for Youth (an isiZulu word meaning “sudden strong wind”). This is the designated development wing of Team Shosholoza, whose roots go back to a commercial sail training school started in 1997 by SA Olympic sailor and Shosholoza strategist Ian Ainslie. The school initially worked with street kids once a week from the SA Navy premises but in 2001, together with fellow sailor Matthew Mentz and Admiral Koos Louw, a full time development sail training operation was established with local communities as a non-profit organisation.

Since then, the Foundation has grown

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The Happy Planet Index The Happy Planet Index (HPI) is an index of human well being and environmental impact, introduced by the New Economics Foundation in July 2006.

The Index is designed to challenge wellestablished indices such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Human Development Index (HDI), which are seen as not taking sustainability into account.

In particular, GDP is seen as inappropriate, as the ultimate aim of most people is not

steadily and expanded into a full time youth academy operating six days a week, and geared specifically towards teaching valuable life skills to disadvantaged youth.

It boasts a compliment of five advanced sailing instructors (many of whom have come through the ranks, and all of whom are provincial and national champions), eight intermediate instructors and five beginner instructors, and a maths and a music teacher. Maritime instruction, seamanship, boatbuilding, sailmaking and navigation, music, a brass band and choir, academic support, computer, environmental education and other valuable skills were added to the sailing curriculum so that students could also be prepared for careers in the workplace.

Most recently, a collaboration between Izivunguvungu and Stewart Marine, builders of catamarans for the export market, has seen the start of an offshore yacht masters programme. Now, youths from Izivunguvungu can notch up their required sea miles and receive tuition and instruction while assisting in the delivery of yachts to the United States and other destinations worldwide.

Writing in The Possibility of Altruism (1970), Thomas Nagel claimed, “Altruism itself depends on a recognition of the reality of other persons, and on the equivalent capacity to regard oneself as merely one individual among many.”

Step inside the shoes of someone else and imagine what life might be like.

We know now that wealth does not equate to happiness, it is what you do with it that counts.

For more information on how you can contribute to Izivunguvungu, contact Matthew Mentz on +27 21 786 1120 or email izivungu@mweb.co.za. To find out how you can give goods, time, money or even reward points to over 1,000 good causes quickly and easily online and become a more happier you, visit www.greatergoodsa.co.za or contact Jacqui O’Connor on +27 21 794 0580 or email jacqui@ggsa.co.za. 

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to be rich, but to be happy and healthy.

Proponents argue that the notion of sustainable development requires that we have a measure of the environmental costs of pursuing those goals. Vanuatu, an independent democratic country made up of 80 volcanic islands in the south west Pacific Ocean with a population of 180,000 ranks top of this Index (it is a prime charter yacht location as well). www.happyplanetindex.org.

Gross National Happiness Gross National Happiness (GNH) is an attempt to define quality of life in more holistic and psychological terms than Gross National Product (GNP).

The term Gross National Happiness was coined by Bhutan's King Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 1972, in response to criticism that his economy was growing poorly. It signalled his commitment to building an economy that would serve Bhutan's culture based on Buddhist spiritual values. While conventional development models stress economic

growth as the ultimate objective, the concept of GNH is based on the premise that true development of human society takes place when material and spiritual development complement and reinforce each other.

The four pillars of GNH are the promotion of equitable and sustainable socio-economic development, preservation and promotion of cultural values, conservation of the natural environment, and establishment of good governance. www.grossinternationalhappiness.org.

World Values Survey The World Values Survey, which has compiled data from 350,000 people in 97 countries since 1981, found Denmark to be home to the planet’s most contented citizens (again) with Zimbabwe as the most miserable (again). Directed by University of Michigan Political Scientist Ronald Inglehart, the 2008 World Values

Survey found that freedom of choice, gender equality, and increased tolerance are responsible for a considerable rise in overall world happiness. The results shatter the more simplistic and traditionally accepted notion that wealth is the determining factor. www.worldvaluessurvey.org.

Saltwater Crocs Really, They Float

“There I was on the bow of this 86-foot luxury yacht, with 15-foot swells about to whack me overboard as my novice skipper dipped nose first into the waves. With pounding heart and white knuckles, I stared at the lace-up Crocs on my feet and thought: at least they float!”

Words: CHARL DU PLESSIS Images: © TREVOR WILKINS

T

he late night comedy hour is a big thing in the US. Forget Jerry Springer – here come the likes of Jay Leno, Conan O’Brian, John Stewart, Steven Colbert, and the mischievous David Letterman. The latter has a really funny insert on his show where skimpily-clad stage hands drop a weird array of objects into a transparent water tank each night, with the audience voting whether they will float or not. And yes, chainsaws and grandmothers’ false teeth predictably sink to the bottom. Sometimes, however, the audience really gets it wrong. But, not half as wrong as I when thinking that a shoemaker who deliberately puts all kinds of holes in their shoes could become a major sponsor in the local sailing scene.

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But then again, Crocs™ has defied all common logic. Marketing gurus are still trying to figure out what the tipping point was that made arguably the ugliest (well, those were my exact thoughts when I first set eyes on them a few years ago), yet the most comfortable shoe ever manufactured such a global phenomenon. Global? Well, one could spend a week in Italy and not see any Crocs, but I know where I would bet my money if deciding on the future of Italian patent leather vs good ol’ Crocs. I was further confounded by this brand when, by the time I had seen them all over the world, I discovered that they were first brought into South Africa by Tertia Wessels, a neighbour’s daughter of my best friend at primary school. Small country sometimes, no?

By now, I had acquired a pair of Crocs

Hydros, and started living in them. My daughter dubbed them my “mussel shoes,” because I could wade around the rock puddles in front of our beach house comfortably collecting mussels without slipping. My colleagues and friends just called them my “shoes” because they never saw me in anything else. In fact, I had the whole office staff, cleaners included, gather to watch me walk to the car when I recently laced up a pair of leather shoes (probably expecting me to trip like a teenager in her first high heels on the way to the dance). Speak of unsettling the rules of the universe…

Like many of us Crocs lovers then, I had to find out only much later that Crocs dedicated their first pair of shoes to the sport of sailing. Originally, Crocs shoes were intended as a boating or outdoor shoe

sjoe because of its slip-resistant, non-marking sole. Equally good on land and in water – that is why they were named Crocs.

It all started in July 2002, in Boulder, Colorado, when George Boedecker, Scott Seamans and Duke Hanson decided to market an unusual shoe developed and manufactured by Foam Creations Inc. They introduced their first Beach Model in November 2002 at the Florida Boat Show and sold out in two days. From there, popularity mushroomed; sales poured in.

By 2003, Crocs had become a bona fide phenomenon, universally accepted as an all purpose shoe for comfort and fashion. And even as the Crocs team still loves sailing as much as you do, they now offer over 60 styles to more than 90 countries. Each of these styles are made of Croslite material, which enables footwear to be odour-

resistant, superior-gripping, anti-microbial and incredibly lightweight. That is how you spot the difference between real Crocs and the cheap, illegal imported knock-offs – just wear them for one day.

After the rapid success in developing shoes for all purposes, the Crocs team remains extremely passionate about the sport that started them off – sailing. And to perpetuate the world’s sailing passion, they have been actively involved in various sailing events. Crocs is the title sponsor of the annual World Match Racing Competition in South Africa and also of the China Cup Regatta in southern China. They are always eager to participate in more sailing activities and enjoy the fun with boating aficionados from all over the world.

Said Nicky Lubbe of Crocs SA, “Despite our rapid success, we still stand behind the

core values of Crocs. We are committed to making a lightweight, comfortable, slipresistant, fashionable and functional shoe that can be produced quickly and at an affordable cost to our customers. We thank you for your support and look forward to providing you with exciting new Crocs designs in the years to come.”  Visit the Prestige stand at the Cape Town Boat Show, where the first 40 new subscribers will win a pair of Crocs™ Islanders, valued at R699 a pair. Otherwise, order yours on-line at www.mycrocs.co.za.

Cruising

Gondolas With

Words & Images Š Frances & Michael Howorth; istockphoto.com

There are many ways to arrive in Venice. Perhaps the very finest way is to do so in your own yacht. We are here on a one-way journey aboard a self-drive, 42-foot motor boat from Porto Levante to Casier via the Venice Lagoon, for the essential city stop, and then onto the islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello.

O

ur voyage of adventure began when we set off down the canal towards the delightful town of Choggia, (pronounced key-oh-ja), a colourful and bustling fishing village. Large fleets of deep sea and inshore fishing boats use this as their home port, venturing out to sea from here every day except Sunday, and selling their catch every day, except Monday, at a spectacular street-side covered market offering a cornucopia of different catches

from both inside the lagoon and just outside in the Adriatic Sea. Eel, crab and cuttlefish are the local specialities. Needless to say this is the town in which to dine on fish, and you cannot go wrong with a purchase from the market if cooking on board is your preference.

At the heart of our cruising ground is perhaps one of the most beautiful cities of the world and, if tourist numbers are taken into account, one of the most popular: Venice. If you were hoping that you could motor along the Grande Canal in your

yacht, now is the time we disappoint you â&#x20AC;&#x201C; navigation along that maritime main street is off limits to all private craft. Our own discontent turned to relief when we saw just how busy it was and how little regard each of the other boats seemed to have for what we affectionately call the rules of the road.

The city does, however, offer three choices of marinas at San Giorgio, San Elena, and Certosa Island. Each, with varying degrees of ease, offers the opportunity to see the sights. From these

you can wander through the narrow streets and alleys, visit the Rialto Bridge and discover some of Venice’s incredible gothic palaces, most notably the Palace of the Doges, who ruled the Republic from 700 AD for almost a thousand years. Like any tourist, our first stop was St Marks Square; to see the pigeons, of course.

En route, we frequently got lost and frequently found ourselves again; such is the maze of backstreets and alleys that crisscross the city. But the journey is a delight, as everywhere there was something to stop and see: gondolas of travellers, tourists and newlyweds; plazas of school children being herded by harassed teachers and nuns; market stalls laden with carnival masks; and grand palazzi and exquisite churches housing art treasures galore.

Steeped in history, art and romance, one cannot help but be astounded by the wonders of Venice.

Known as the “Island of Glass,” Murano is where artisans have practised the art of glassblowing since the 12th Century – they were originally exiled here after a particularly severe fire destroyed Venice. If travelling by boat, mooring spaces on the island of Murano are, at best, limited. One option is to catch a vaporetto (a motorboat for transporting people along the canals in Venice) for the short distance across the lagoon. Try to arrive on the island independently and hang back when disembarking – high pressure salesmen sponsored by the glass vendors can be difficult to shake off once they pounce.

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Monday is usually a quiet day in Italy, and it is often the best day to visit this island.

Burano is the most colourful of the lagoon islands. Its tall, dramatically tilted church tower makes it easy to spot as you approach through the dredged canals.

Fishing and lace-making are the mainstays of the island and it is the latter that brings in the day-trippers, who fill the canal-side pathways throughout the day. In the early evening they depart for their hotels, leaving the island a haven of tranquillity and us boat folk grateful to be travelling like snails with our homes.

Genuine lace from the island is hard to find – little wonder since most pieces take many weeks of continuous labour to produce. To watch and learn quite how difficult it really is to do, visit the school of lace-making and the museum attached to it, or chat to those who do it for a living.

We found one such expert needle lacemaker, Daniela Battaiu, working outdoors in a quiet, sheltered spot protected from the fierce afternoon sun.

If the island becomes too crowded during the day, head off to Mazzorbro, an island of gardens and beautiful orchids that is seldom visited by tourists and which is connected to Burano by a long wooden bridge. It offers a pleasant walking excursion that is well rewarded by a splendid view across the lagoon towards Venice.

Torcello was established in the 5th and 6th Centuries and peaked in the 12th Century when the island declined in popularity as that of Venice grew. Silt in the

canals and a malaria outbreak hastened the process to the point that only one canal still remains. Today, there are only 60 permanent inhabitants. A visit to the Byzantine cathedral of Santa Marie Assunta and the Church of Santa Fosca is highly recommended. Wander around the Roman sarcophagus of St Heliodorus, the huge Doomsday mosaics of the Last Supper, and then outside to sit on the marble seat said to have been the throne of Attila the Hun. From Torcello, the canal winds its way through marshlands which are among the most ecologically rich bodies of water in the Mediterranean, and the habitat of many species of birds and wildfowl. The journey takes two hours before you arrive in Portegrandi, a modern town with a large marina where it is convenient to stop while waiting for the locks that lead from the canal to the River Sile to open. From here, you meander though a countryside dotted with spectacular villas boasting waterside frontage. Further still and the banks are littered with the rotting hulls of several burci – shallow draught transport barges that were used extensively on this river and propelled by sail or oar or towed upstream by horse or oxen and then relied upon the current for their return journey downstream.

We arrive at our final destination, Casier, which lies hidden from the river up a spur.

I will never understand why the Venetians built their city on islands inside a swamp in the first place. Within minutes of our reaching there, however, we were awfully glad they had. 

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M ike H orn pangaea expedition South African Mike Horn has undertaken exceptional feats of endurance, determination and courage, many of which have extended the limitations of human achievement. His latest endeavour is a four-year voyage around the world to inspire people to get involved in conservation.

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t the age of eight, Mike Horn set out to ride his bicycle from his home in Joburg to his uncle’s house.

It may sound simple, except that his uncle did not live down the road or even across town, but 300 kilometres away. It is this spirit of adventure that led Horn to undertake some epic trips, testing the boundaries of mental and physical toughness, making him one of the greatest modern-day adventurers.

Horn studied Human Movement Science at Stellenbosch University before moving to Switzerland, where he became an instructor for an outdoor adventure company offering extreme activities such as abseiling, hydrospeed, canyoning and rafting. It was during this time that Horn began to develop a taste for outlandish challenges.

His first expedition of long duration was in 1997. “The Amazon Expedition” was a solo, un-motorised traverse of the South

Words: TONI ACKERMANN Images: © WWW.MIKEHORN.COM; laureus

American continent. Horn climbed to the summit of Mt Mismi, the source of the Amazon River, and followed the entire length of this waterway, hunting and living in autonomy along its banks in the evenings and swimming its lengths with a hydrospeed during the day.

In 1999, Horn left for a new challenge called “Latitude Zero,” the circumvolution of the world around the equator. He traversed the Atlantic Ocean from Gabon, on the west coast of Africa, to Brazil, on a 28-foot trimaran. From Brazil to Ecuador, he crossed on foot, bicycle and with canoe, navigating the Amazon Rain Forest and the high altitudes of the Andes. Next, he crossed the Pacific Ocean to Indonesia, passing the Galapagos Islands before journeying through Borneo and Sumatra on foot through the jungles. Sailing with his trimaran, he then continued over the Indian Ocean, with the last leg taking him across the African continent on foot, through the drug zone areas of the Congo, and on to

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“

By working together with ingenuity, drive and resourcefulness we can tap the world’s most powerful energy source – the younger generation.

“

Gabon, where he arrived back at his starting point on 28 October 2000, 18 months after setting out.

Mike Horn became a worldwide personality after completing this solo journey, a feat that also won him the “2001 Laureus World Alternative Sportsperson of the Year” award. Several more adventures followed over the ensuing years, until Horn was elected a member of the “Laureus World Sports Academy” in January 2007.

Horn has chosen his next project, a four-year expedition around the world, with the intention of sharing information about the current state of our planet and increasing awareness, so inspiring others to make an effort conserving it. The journey, named Pangaea after the single super continent that existed 250 million years ago, will cover 100,000 kilometres across the world’s seven continents and seven seas. Horn will walk, kayak, ski, cycle and paraglide his way across the world’s diverse terrain, and also trek to the South Pole.

“This is the most exciting venture I have undertaken. It is a treasure hunt to uncover

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the solutions I know are there. By working together with ingenuity, drive and resourcefulness, the energies of our individual efforts can complement each other and create a collective momentum to inspire change. Together we can tap the world’s most powerful energy source – the younger generation,” said Horn.

The headquarters of Pangaea will be an eco-friendly 35-metre mega yacht built by Horn with the environment taken into consideration in all aspects of its construction. The yacht is equipped with innovative and sustainable technologies such as hydrogen fuel cell technology, solar panels and recyclable materials, and has been designed to navigate all oceans and conditions from the arctic to the tropics. It is also equipped with cutting-edge communication and conferencing facilities to broadcast progress from the most remote corners of the globe.

Horn will sail around the world and host young adults from each continent who will go on to act as conservation emissaries.

They will learn about the Earth and factors

affecting it, and engage in clean-up projects and other environmental initiatives that will benefit the inhabitants, the natural world, and most importantly, the future of our planet. Horn will also work together with various educational institutes and local experts in each region. Said Horn, “The young adults who join the expedition are going to become the ambassadors of the world, and speak in their own language to their own people.”

Concludes Horn, “I want to share my experience with future generations, providing the stimulation for them to find solutions and ultimately a sustainable balance between nature and mankind.

Sustainable living is going to become like a lifestyle and we need to make it a lifestyle not a fashion; not something you know is rare but rather something that is more of a daily way of living. I am just trying to do what I can, and I need people to help me do it by helping themselves.”

The Pangaea Expedition will begin on 9 October 2008. For more information, visit www.mikehorn.com. 

URM. ANY CHANCE OF AN UPGRADE?.

What’s your strategy? Say you’re on honeymoon?

Dress smartly and smile? The thing is, at British Airways upgrading isn’t about changing cabins, it’s about giving you a better experience. Be it online check-in at ba.com or just tastier food and wine on board. It’s how we do things and we don’t intend to stop.

Upgrade to ba.com/upgrade

Trogon House

Tranquillity in the Treetops Words: Toni Ackermann Images: © Trogon House

Trogon House & Forest Spa offers exquisite luxury suspended in the treetops of a forest reserve that stretches untamed along the Tsitsikamma Mountains and beyond.

L

ying in untouched indigenous forest, halfway between Keurbooms River and Nature’s Valley, Trogon House, with its natural stone, glass walls and skylight roofs, wholly embraces the forest in which it sits. The journey too, to Trogon House, is a montage of South Africa’s iridescent flora and fauna. You pass an elephant sanctuary and the Birds of Eden and Monkeyland Reserves before the road seems to suddenly end. A dirt track disappears into the dappled shade beneath the forest canopy and, after about 1.5 kilometres, opens up at just the right level above the trees to reveal a small platform.

Here, bridges make the crossing to the entrance of Trogon House.

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stay

This secluded hideaway offers two lodges, Malabar Lodge and Tomba Lodge.

Tomba Lodge was added in February this year and houses an exceptional African artefact collection assembled over many years by Trogon House’s owner, Mynhardt Bester. Though a walkway links the two lodges, they were carefully designed and positioned to guarantee total privacy at both properties.

The lodges are tastefully decorated with superb attention to detail. Their interiors appeal to guests’ appreciation of beautiful art, fine finishes and luxury furnishings. Each item of furniture has been handpicked, the finest Egyptian linen hugs the king-size beds, and silks and crystal combine with exotic antiques and treasures to embellish the interior. This is unspoiled pleasure for all the senses.

Surrounded by the contented chirruping of the birds, it is easy to settle into a deckchair beside the pool and indulge in an afternoon snooze. In the evening, enveloped by nothing but the lingering darkness and the occasional call of a Nightjar, roll back the blinds on the ceiling and dine under a different canopy; that of the stars. Later, while you lie tucked in bed, look up through the glass ceiling to see far away planets burn holes in the heavens above.

Each vantage point at Trogon House enjoys spectacular views of the Tsitsikamma

forest, and it is only natural to be curious; where do the other tracks leading off into the forest go? Take a stroll and discover, in the cool shade of the woods, a gem for any wellness fan: the Forest Spa. A sanctuary of peace and serenity, the spa is located in an atrium and allows guests to relax in total seclusion. It has a whirlpool and jacuzzi for warmer days and an open fireplace and sauna (with glass walls, too) for cooler ones. The healing hands of skilled therapists wait patiently to offer various wellness treatments such as salt scrubs and peels, stone and aroma therapies, and deep-tissue, Thai or Swedish massages.

An attentive, professional team disappears when you want to be alone, and is only a phone call away when you require something. If hunger tickles your belly, a private chef will arrive to cook up an extravagant feast, pack a gourmet picnic basket, or put together an elegant evening event. You can choose to dine wherever you like, and should you fancy a surprise – sundowners on the pool deck with African drummers, let’s say - just give your concierge the nod and know that everything will be as you wish when you wish.

But you still have not discovered the finest part about Trogon House, which answers the question, “Where are the other

guests?” There aren’t any. Mynhardt Bester only ever rents each refuge to a single client. He or she can come alone, with a partner, a family or with friends and is guaranteed that nobody else will be staying in that lodge at the same time. What better way to reflect on yourself and those who are close to you?

Malabar and Tomba Lodge each sleep up to eight guests. For further information or to book, contact African Horizons on +27 31 765 5723 or visit www.africanhorizonstravel.com. 

Nearby Attractions Include: • Tsitsikamma National Park, with its pristine beach, beautiful lagoon and spectacular indigenous forest.

• Elephant-back safaris at the nearby Elephant Sanctuary.

• Monkeyland, an eco-adventure, multi-specie primate sanctuary, and Birds of Eden, a world-class, free flight bird sanctuary spanning two hectares.

• Plettenberg Bay’s Lookout Beach, a popular place to wine and dine.

• Various adventures activities such as bungee jumping, hot air ballooning, river rafting, microlighting, and sea kayaking.

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Maxi Yacht Cup Image: © Kurt Arrigo/Rolex

A

lthough the 19th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in early September ended with a fizzle rather than a bang on the last day when the wind, behaving like an angry wasp from all directions, led Principal Race Officer Peter Craig to call it quits, the first four days held great excitement and some surprises.

The racing was enthralling all week.

Particularly so in the Wally Division, where no boat could find the consistency to establish an impregnable position and going into the last day, four boats were within two points of each other. Magic Carpet II took the crown.

In the Racing division, only two boats competed. American George David’s Rambler secured victory on countback, by virtue of winning the race on the penultimate day. Rotten luck for Neville Crichton’s usually impeccably sailed Alfa Romeo that it chose the last race of the series to suffer a technical glitch. George David, though, was naturally delighted with the result.

“Neville’s a great owner and a nice person, and I enjoy racing against him,” said David. “It’s nice to be a generation

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different too. They have a canting keel and we’re just water ballasted. They tack faster, but we have some tricks up our sleeves in how we do our tacking and we’ve done a fair amount of optimising over the past months.” His final comment is piercingly perceptive, “This kind of competition is unforgiving; one operator error and that’s trouble.” Crichton, so often used to be on the winner’s podium himself, would surely echo that.

Meanwhile, in the Mini-Maxi division, Chrichton’s new Alfa Romeo III, manned by the Ericsson team soon to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race, also did not fare quite as well as expected. Ernesto Bertarelli, Brad Butterworth and the America’s Cup Alinghi team sailed on American Dan Meyers’ Numbers, and went into the final day knowing they could not be beaten. Despite 18 boats on the startline each day, Numbers sailed fast and clean, notwithstanding her first-day clunk with the rocks that would have curtailed the ambitions of many a crew in years past.

A two-time America’s Cup winner, Bertarelli gives the impression that all victories are important not just because of the trophies, but because the win is

so often the culmination of preparation, hard graft and teamwork. It had been a while since the whole Alinghi team had sailed together, and Bertarelli was pleased.

“It’s a crew that works like a Swiss clock: it’s on time on the manoeuvres, the trimming is precision, it’s good and it’s fun,” he said.

In the Cruising division, John Williams’ J Class Ranger from the Cayman Islands cruised seemingly effortlessly to their second consecutive Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup victory. Management of the boat and team was once again crucial to success, as America’s Cup and round the world race winner, skipper Erle Williams confirmed. Like the other owners, Williams enjoys sailing on the Costa Smeralda, “It’s wonderful – without a doubt it’s the best regatta we compete in. You have great boats, great conditions, great sails up among the rocks. It’s a wonderful place to sail boats.”

And there you have it: the ingredients for success at one of the most spectacular regattas around. Pick a great boat and pick a great team. Manage them well. And hope Mother Nature lets you perform. 

su b merge

The

Medjumbe Blues Scuba diving around Medjumbe in Mozambique bombards the senses with wave upon wave of visual and tactile feasts. There is shallow coral reef of such enormity that, after two years of operating, the dive team can still take one to a previously unexplored underwater location.

Huge Plate corals the size of dinner tables are interspersed between massive gardens of Staghorn and Brain coral. Naturally, the fish life in this sub-aquatic Eden is abundant and a photographerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream.

Words: ADAM CRUISE Images: Š ADAM CRUISE; Kobus Els; istockphoto.com

M

y interest in the Quirimbas Archipelago in the far north of Mozambique was ignited a couple of decades ago when I was sifting through some old maritime archives researching for a wreck-seeking expedition. My search revealed an old Royal Hydrographic Office sea chart. What struck me immediately about that washed out, black and white chart was the odd shape of the coastline. Usually the shore of this entire region is an endless, uninterrupted line of beach and dunes but on this map, the entire line between land and sea was broken into little pieces, as if the edge of the land were shattered like glass by some colossal force. Apart from dozens of tiny tropical islands, most without names, the whole map was crisscrossed with angry-looking jagged lines depicting,

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what would be a nightmare for mariners but a dream for divers: coral reef; hundreds of square kilometres of unexplored, pristine coral reef. I was dazed at the sheer expanse. I had to go and see this wonderland for myself.

Of course, back then, that stretch of Mozambique was strictly off limits. Partly because the nation was slowly emerging from a lengthy and bloody civil war and partly because that region has always been sealed off from the outside world. From the sea the mainland is blockaded by kilometres of treacherous shallow reef and from the interior behind the mangrove swamps, a vast, unforgiving African wilderness has largely preserved the Quirimbas from the relentless march of civilisation. Only the Arab traders in their shallow-drafted dhows have plied these waters.

With the new millennium, civilisation finally cracked the lock of the Quirimbas and creaked open the door. The islands, with the notable exception of Ibo, an ancient trading port, are still largely uninhabitable, mainly because of access to fresh water. Yet the lure of tourism has tugged and so, with great expense and perhaps a dash of foolhardiness, some intrepid business minds began to develop a handful of upmarket resorts on some of the islands. Today, the island resorts have taken shape and my chance to finally experience the Quirimbas dawned. I was advised to visit the tiny island of Medjumbe, about 150 kilometres north of Pemba, reputed as having some of the finest diving sites in the region.

The aerial view on approach to the island yanked me bolt upright in my seat: below, amid a huge expanse of translucent turquoise, was a wisp of land no more than a kilometre long and a hundred metres or so wide. On the ground, I felt like Charlie in

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the Chocolate Factory – soaking in the intoxicating atmosphere, the heat both oppressive and invigorating, the sky bright, and the sea’s limitless expanse of turquoise and blues flanked by sharply contrasting white sand. I soon found myself quizzing the congenial resort manager for information on the situation of Medjumbe’s scuba diving. “Wait and see,” he answered sagely with a faint smile.

I soon found out why he was not verbally forthcoming.

After one 80-minute dive, my logbook read like Collins’ Guide to Coral Reef Fishes of the World. I encountered a pink Leaffish, a black juvenile and an electric blue adult Ribbon eel, a few miniature Yellowspotted scorpionfish sharing a coral home with a Pearl coral crab, nudibranchs of a variety and colour I have yet to see elsewhere, mantled Cowrie shells, three kinds of firefish, four species of sweetlips, a Longnosed hawkfish, the biggest crayfish I have ever seen, two Giant moray eels and one Honeycomb moray eel, Bluespotted rays, Queenfish, Dogtooth tuna, Napoleon wrasse, a school of Humpback unicornfish that are rare everywhere but here, a Hawksbill turtle, two kinds of pufferfish, an aggressive Titan triggerfish as well as dozens of damsel, angel and butterflyfish. I was flabbergasted after this dive but to my astonishment I learnt from Medjumbe’s pair of dive masters that the best was yet to come!

The best is a reef dubbed “The Edge of Reason,” which lies to the north east of the island. Here, at 18 metres, the coral seems to flow over a precipice and plunge vertically hundreds of metres into the indigo chasm of the Mozambique Channel.

The void is profoundly alluring. Your body and mind feel drawn to descend deeper until the senses dull and the air feels like

syrup. You are dimly aware you should be afraid but the closeness of the precipice alongside is oddly comforting. At a depth of 30 metres the sea wall is disseminated everywhere with massive Gorgonian fan corals that gently sway in the cerulean twilight. The ambient blue is captivating and dreamlike and it takes a gargantuan inner strength to pull back, as you really are at the limit here – this reef is for experienced divers only.

There is, I believe, one very special aquatic secret that Medjumbe still holds.

Those jagged edges on that antiquated chart, which at some point must have sent a shiver down the spines of many a ship captain, are the clues. As a wreck finder I learnt that more often than not the location of a lighthouse was always a sign of nearby shipwrecks. Lighthouses or beacons are almost always erected after the tragedy of a shipwreck. Medjumbe has a lighthouse, albeit a very old one that is no longer in use. But the possibility exists that there is a long forgotten, coral-encrusted hulk or two somewhere on those enormous coral banks, just waiting to be discovered.

Visit www.diveinsouthafrica.com or contact +27 21 782 0101 to book your trip to this private island paradise: Medjumbe.  This article is reproduced compliments of Submerge magazine and has been edited for space. Subscribe to Submerge magazine, South Africa’s premier scuba diving magazine for R135 for 1 year (6 editions) or R260 for 2 years (12 editions). Simply email your name, contact numbers and physical address to admin@submerge.co.za or visit www. submerge.co.za to subscribe online.

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Lipton Cup A Local Legacy

The ornate Victorian silver trophy donated in 1908 by Sir Thomas Lipton to the Table Bay Yacht Club, forerunner of the Royal Cape Yacht Club, has had a huge role in fostering hotly competitive inter-club sailing in South Africa.

Words: ALEX PETERSEN Image: Š TREVOR WILKINS

T

homas Lipton was an extraordinary character. Very much the rags-to-riches icon, he built a worldwide tea growing and selling empire, and was a shrewd and innovative marketing man. He also became passionate about sailing, so much so that he donated a number of trophies to yacht clubs from Honolulu to Sri Lanka, and between 1899 and 1930, challenged the New York Yacht Club five times for the America's Cup. By donating the trophy to the Table Bay Yacht Club, the feisty Sir Thomas virtually laid the groundwork for competitive sailing in South Africa. Sailing off our shores can be quite tough; the conditions are not easy.

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Indeed, the wrecks around our coast tell the story. Our sailors, at least on the coast, take stiff breezes for granted. And the Lipton Cup has to, by definition, be sailed on the sea. Inland clubs participate, and while the winning club nominates the venue for the next event, it must be a coastal one.

For various reasons, not the least acquiring suitable yachts, the first race for the trophy only took place in 1911 on Table Bay, when Durban's Point Yacht Club successfully challenged with Tess, skippered

by NW Chiazzari, and took the trophy back to Durban with great fanfare. Point Club successfully held off further challenges from Royal Cape in 1912, 1913 and 1914, when the outbreak of war halted further

contests. It was not until 1922 that The Royal Cape Yacht Club challenged again, but was the loser, as they were in 1923.

Strangely, after the early enthusiasm there was a long hiatus, the reasons for which are obscure, but lack of suitable boats, the Great Crash 1929 and World War II meant it was not until 1952 that Royal Natal Yacht Club challenged in one of the three Swedish-built, 30-squaremetre yachts then in South Africa.

The design remained the Lipton class boat through to 1973, by which time the wooden hulls were aging, and sailing energies switched to the first Cape to Rio Race. But, as Lipton Cup trustee Peter Bazlinton points out, it was those successful years of Lipton competition that had

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trained many of the crews sailing to Rio. Agreement as to which class of yacht could replace the 30 squares did not resolve itself until 1982, when, for two years, it was raced in the quarter-tonner class, until the surging numbers of the L-26 class made it the choice of clubs around the country. "They were a popular class and everybody wanted to compete for their clubs," remarks Bazlinton. "So the fleet numbers rapidly increased to over 30, from far fewer before that." The strong revival also prompted thoughts that South Africa might even one day compete in the America's Cup. "It was a sort of dream that some of us had, and when Salvatore Sarno's efforts brought this to reality, many of the Shosholoza crew had learnt their skills in Lipton regattas."

While only a few sailors will get to compete in an America's Cup, the Lipton Cup is still firmly in place as the premier event on the local sailing calendar, with the excitement as keen as ever â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you need to be out there on the dark blue water, maybe with the wind whipping the tops off the waves, to get a glimpse of the skills.

Watching the boats round the windward mark is fast and furious, the crews shouting for room on the water. As they hoist the big spinnakers that send

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the yachts surfing downwind, the work is slick, precise. A spinnaker pole holds the big sail out, clipped into the mast at one end, the clew of the sail at the other, the bowman quick on the heaving deck, easy to fumble and get it wrong. As the breeze fills the bulbous sail, the yachts accelerate an extra knot or two, echoed by an extra curve of bow-wave. Even some of the backrunners do amazingly slick spinnaker hoists.

It is exhilarating to see.

In this year's Lipton, the Theewater team on Dalys Insurance were defending champions for a second year in a row, and with firsts in the two early races, looked very strong. Then Mark Sadler stepped on Royal Natal's Orion Challenger, straight from a flight from New York via Heathrow, and sailed into first place. "We were just relaxed, having fun. You sail better when you're relaxed," Sadler said. The Royal Cape yacht Greenlight was judged over the start line at the gun, sending them plummeting down the leader board. But by the final race, Orion was still five crucial points behind Dalys, and in close racing, Sadler and crew had to take second place to the defending champs.

"Those guys just have the edge in boat speed, so we could not catch them," Sadler commented. But the superior speed on the

Theewater boat was not just a matter of luck. Co-skipper Greg Davis spent four days sanding and polishing the keel in the week before the race. It is the kind of dedication that wins Lipton regattas.

Sir Thomas would have approved, although not once in his five attempts did he win the America's Cup, but on the other hand, he did sell one heck of a lot of tea in America. ď ?

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s c o ot

Vespa Character The Vespa Millé is a 1,100-odd kilometre journey organised by Vespa for Vespa owners, and held whenever the mood takes them.

The last Millé took place in 2006, with this year’s Vespa extremists making the trip from Joburg to Pilgrim’s Rest and back, all on the back of their favourite scooters.

C

haracter constitutes those qualities and attributes that outline and define a person, place or object. Character is that which creates a strong, distinctive presence to set one apart from others. Character is a 1,129-kilometre trip on a Vespa, an excursion appropriately called a Vespa Millé. It was a trip that introduced me to the Vespa, with its charm, its style, its character; to people who have character, and some characters themselves, who stand out as individuals; and to places that have a certain character formed over decades.

We met at Vespa Johannesburg on a cool Friday morning, soon to depart for Vespa Pretoria, where we would meet up with the remainder of the crowd. Louw from Vespa grinned at us during the briefing, and told us there would be some

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s c o ot

1,129 Kilometres on the back of a bike Words: Clen Cook Images: © Clen Cook; Vespa

very tender derrières by the end of the weekend. Dullstroom, Sabie, Graskop, Hazyview; these were all on the itinerary, as was the fantastic 22 kilometres of blacktop, near-perfect road between Pilgrim’s and Sabie.

Louw familiarised me with the Vespa I was going to be riding for the weekend – a black GTV 250ie. A quick once-over to make sure I had everything covered, jacket, helmet and gloves slipped on and zipped up, and we were ready.

I mounted up and hit the starter button. The Vespa purred to life beneath me.

I have often noticed over the years that, with the exception of some,

usually Italian models, most superbikes tend to blend in, to be almost indistinguishable from other bikes on the road. The Vespa though, spoke to me differently the moment I pulled out into morning traffic. It went quickly, decisively.

You twisted the throttle and it jumped forward willingly, steering sharp and responsive. I felt different. I felt … cheeky.

There’s something about a Vespa that immediately hearkens to Italy, to Monica Bellucci, to zipping in and out of traffic, to people giving way (even in South Africa) to a Vespa with its rider jauntily perched on the seat. A Vespa has character.

Headed towards the Jacaranda City, I got a chance to witness the power of Vespas in motion. Over the course of the weekend this became a common occurrence – people would smile and wave at us, cars would hoot in a friendly gesture as they drove past. More than once I saw people pull out their cell phones or cameras and snap photos of our pack of Vespas rolling along the highway.

We made our way East on the N4 towards Dullstroom, the cavalcade of Vespas filling up a whole lane as we rode side by side following the support van. The scooters easily held 110km/h as we spread out in a long ribbon, reds, blacks, yellows, pistachio greens. I chatted with fellow riders over lunch, garnering an insight into the Vespa “cult.” A business analyst from an auditing firm, a sales director for a confectionary company, and a chap who was planning on riding his bright yellow Vespa from Joburg to London; this certainly wasn’t your usual crowd of bikers. I soon came to notice that there was no attitude

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on the trip. None of the Vespa crowd needed ego stroking, or felt the urge to prove anything. Everyone was there to have fun, to enjoy the trip and the company.

Dullstroom to Lydenburg went by in a flash, the occasional side wind battering us as we came up over ridges. Heading into Robber’s Pass, this is where it got real fun. The corners, tight switchbacks and hairpin bends made for challenging riding, which required nothing less than absolute concentration, even when moving slowly. We made our way downwards until we turned into Pilgrim’s Rest. Founded in 1873 as a gold mining town, Pilgrim’s Rest is one of South Africa’s national monuments and possesses an inimitable old world charm and character.

Arriving at the Royal Hotel after a long day’s ride, dinner was high on the list of priorities.

“

There’s something about a Vespa that immediately hearkens to Italy, to Monica Bellucci, to zipping in and out of traffic, to people giving way (even in South Africa) to a Vespa with its rider jauntily perched on the seat. A Vespa has character.

“

Heavy, sullen grey clouds roiled overhead as we left the next morning, the cold biting through jackets and gloves, chilling everyone. We soon gathered together at a crossroads, with the next 22 kilometres of road undoubtedly some of the best, most exciting riding I have ever experienced.

Taking the GTV through the corners, leaning it over and marvelling how the Vespa could handle like this, was a revelation.

Not once through the sweeping bends, the corners which tightened up on themselves halfway through, the blind rises, did I feel out of control. I was riding well within both my own and the Vespa’s limits. And that is what made it so exciting; you are going fast enough to get a thrill but not so fast that you put yourself, or others, in danger. You have time to think, to look around at the fleeting scenery, and still take a corner fast enough to feel a rush. This was fantastic.

Pilgrim’s to Sabie. Sabie to Hazyview, Hazyview to Graskop.

After lunch, a trip to God’s Window, and then a choice: the long route back the way we came or a shortcut back to Pilgrim’s. The latter wasn’t really an option, and 10 minutes later we were on the long, exhilarating road back through Graskop and those perfect 22 kilometres of tar.

Stopping for petrol or coffee, the Vespas had a magnetic attraction for people, and almost everyone had a story to tell, “I remember my Vespa from varsity,” “My father used to own a Vespa,” “My grandfather had a green one just like this one!” That night over dinner I chatted with a few Vespa owners: a logistics manager, a creative director, a jet pilot; different people from all walks of life, all of whom had character and presence, just like the Vespas they were riding.

On the ride back to Joburg, I had plenty of time to reflect on the weekend. As cars flew past me, kids waving, pointing, smiling, I thought about Vespa. There was the fabulous Italian design, the charm, the passion. It was fun, had a presence and a history. It kept coming back to character, to something that was more than the bike alone. And that’s what I came to realise at the end of the weekend: each person I met had character, each place we visited had character, and of course, there were the Vespas. Look for character. No matter what, character is that which defines us. 

sip

Cocktails Whisky

Words & Images © liquidchefs

Milk & Honey Martini Ingredients • 30ml whisky • 12.5ml Drambuie • 30ml half milk, half cream • 20ml Monin honey-flavoured sugar syrup • Nutmeg Method Combine all ingredients together in a shaker, shake and strain. Serve in a martini glass and garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Honey & Marmalade Whisky-Tini Ingredients • 37.5ml whisky • 4 tsp runny honey • 20ml lemon juice • 30ml orange juice • 2 tsp orange marmalade Method Stir together honey and whisky in the base of the shaker until the honey dissolves. Add ice and other ingredients and stir to combine. Serve in a martini glass and garnish with orange zest.

Old Fashioned Ingredients • 50ml Bourbon • 15ml sugar syrup • 4 dashes angostura bitters Method Add bitters to 2 cubes of ice and stir. Add the sugar syrup and 2 cubes of ice and stir.

Add half the measure of bourbon and 2 cubes of ice and stir. Add the remaining 25ml Bourbon and 2 cubes of ice and stir.

Serve in a tumbler and garnish with a twist of orange and a cherry.

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A taste of good living

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From the Galley

PRAWN RISOTTO Words & Image © Terroir Restaurant

For the Sauce • 4 tbsp olive oil • 18 prawn heads • 3 carrots, diced • 2 onions, diced • 1 celery rib, sliced • 1 fennel bulb, diced • 8 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 whole star anise • 150ml brandy • 200ml dry white wine • 2 ripe tomatoes, blitzed in blender • 500ml cream • 2 bay leaves • 20 pepper corns, crushed • small bunch fresh thyme For the Risotto • 3 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp butter • ½ small onion, finely chopped • 225g Arborio rice • 100ml dry white wine • 4-5 cups chicken stock, simmering • 80ml cream • 1 knob butter • 30-40g grated Parmesan • salt and pepper For the Prawns • 18 tiger prawns, cleaned, heads removed, tails shelled • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp butter • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped • 1-2 red chillies, seeds removed, finely chopped • 5-6 basil leaves, sliced • salt and pepper

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Method Prepare the sauce: heat a saucepan on high and add the oil and butter. Add carrots and onions and stir for 5 minutes. Add celery, garlic, fennel, thyme and anise, cook for 5 minutes. Add prawn heads and sear over high heat until pink. Deglaze with the wine and brandy, and reduce by half. Add tomatoes and remainder of sauce ingredients and simmer for 10-15 minutes on low heat. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Remove from heat and allow to rest for a minute or two. Strain through a fine strainer into saucepan – sauce should be the consistency of pouring cream.

Make the risotto: heat a saucepan and add the oil and butter. Once hot, add the onion and cook gently for 25-30 minutes, but do not colour. Add the rice and cook for 5 minutes. Turn up the heat and add the wine. Cook until absorbed. Add the stock slowly, ladle by ladle, stirring all the time, until the rice is almost cooked.

Add the cream and stir gently to incorporate.

Add the knob of butter and parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Check seasoning. Have more stock on standby in case rice is too dry.

Prepare the prawns: heat a sauté pan until hot. Add butter and oil and allow to heat but not burn. Add the prawns and chillies and cook for 1 minute. Add the remaining ingredients and cook quickly, for another minute. Keep warm.

To serve: Heat the sauce and froth it with a handheld blender if possible. Divide the risotto between 6 plates and place 3 sautéed prawns on top of each. Spoon sauce around, garnish with basil leaves and serve. Serves six as a starter.

“

Risotto waits for no man, so once it is cooked it should be served sooner rather than later to avoid it becoming soft and stodgy.

– Michael Broughton

“

Ingredients

Michael Broughton is a chef at Terroir restaurant, Stellenbosch. The restaurant’s delightfully informal setting under the oak trees on Kleine Zalze wine farm belies the rigorously disciplined approach to the creative process going on in the kitchen of Chef Michael and his young team. Terroir is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday, and Sunday lunch. For reservations call +27 21 880 8167 or email terrroir@kleinezalze.co.za.

livethelife

Cities that Never Sleep with Louis Vuitton

Ferrari Chronograph in Pink Gold

For enthusiasts of haute horlogerie, a comparable pleasure to the legendary howl of a Ferrari’s 12 cylinders is the more subdued purr, if you will, of the complex, minuscule engines that give life to the watches of Officine Panerai. As exclusive as the car from Maranello is the model Ferrari Chronograph Pink Gold 45mm, produced in a series of only 50 units. All the details, from the shape of the counters to that of the red hands, from the design of the characters to the colour of the dial itself, have been directly inspired by the graphics and symbols of the instrumentation of Ferrari cars. It uses a period movement from Swiss maker Minerva, which beats at 18,000 alternations per hour. The closure is a folding buckle in pink gold, while the square case with rounded corners is 45mm across and has particularly aerodynamic lines with a partly brushed, partly polished finish. Set in it are two chronograph push-pieces together with the setting crown, closed with a bayonet lock so that the Ferrari symbol, the celebrated Prancing Horse, always remains in a vertical position. It was no mean feat transferring to a wristwatch those powerful emotions that a Ferrari arouses, even when stationary. For more information, visit www.panerai.com or contact +27 11 317 2600.

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Curious, cosmopolitan, impertinent, jovial, and literary – this is how Louis Vuitton describes its latest City Guide 2009. The guide is not for tourists but for travellers, not only for visitors to cities but also for those who live there. And it is not just about luxury shopping but rather, is a compilation of the very best addresses, at all price points, which can be found in a given city. The City Guide 2009 visits 32 European cities, including new destinations Bucharest, Glasgow, Lausanne, Manchester, and Saint-Tropez. This userfriendly handbook also provides schematic city maps – a new feature – to help travellers find their bearings and locate their addresses of choice. Developing their offering further, Louis Vuitton has five individual guides devoted to a few of the world’s great cities, namely Mumbai, Miami, New York, Paris and Tokyo. For more information visit www.louisvuitton. com, email m.szulfer@za.vuitton.com or call +27 11 881 5725.

Got the Nerve to Chill your Veuve?

Summers in the Southern hemisphere can get rather warm, and it is only reasonable to assume that you are going to want to find ways and means of staying cool as temperatures soar. The same can be said of your champagne. Veuve Clicquot introduces its latest limited edition champagne accessory: the Ice Jacket. An isotherm sleeve tailored to the shape of the bottle, the Ice Jacket will keep your bottle of Brut Yellow Label at the perfect temperature for up to two hours. Portable and impeccably stylish, it is the ideal accessory for an al fresco celebration. The fashionable isotherm jacket is produced in a high-tech vibrant Clicquot Yellow fabric with sophisticated leather finishes embossed with the Clicquot logo. Retailing at around R500, the Veuve Clicquot Ice Jacket will be available at leading liquor merchants nationwide from the end of October.

stuff

The Whisky Live Festival

Urbanation: A Mid-Career Exhibition by Kay Hassan

As the title suggests, Kay Hassan’s Urbanation focuses on urban spaces in the city and township. Hassan’s work is concerned with the rapid pace of urban life and the subjects that exist on the edges and the underbelly of the city. The exhibition moves from gritty images of survival to tender and intimate depictions of family life. Through these particular works, Hassan offers a striking portrait of the city of Johannesburg; its highs and lows, its hopes, dreams and disappointments, its surreal beauty and its brutality. But the work also talks to issues affecting industrial cities worldwide: consumerism, the throw-away culture that bedevils even poor countries, recycling, madness, violence, rituals of various kinds, the workers that build the cities but are the most dispossessed, and the myriad ways these citizens make the city liveable. In a career spanning more than 30 years, this is his first solo show in a South African museum. A catalogue accompanies the exhibition, to be released at the end of October.

For more information, contact the Johannesburg Art Gallery on +27 11 725 3130.

Whether you drink it neat, on the rocks, or shaken in a cocktail, it seems that whisky is fast becoming the drink of choice in South Africa. With the introduction of innovations designed to demystify one of our country’s most popular tipples, the 2008 Whisky Live Festival will take connoisseurs and novices alike on an unforgettable journey through the allure, origins, flavours and history of this drink. More than 180 whiskies, including Scottish, American, South African and Irish brands, as well as whiskies from as far afield as Japan, India and Wales, will be showcased at the event, with the chance to taste, pair and blend these liquors too. Whisky Live takes place at The Cape Town International Convention Centre from 5 to 7 November and at The Sandton Convention Centre from 12 to14 November. For further information, visit www.whiskylivefestival.co.za or email info@whiskylivefestival.co.za.

Rekindle the Romance at Kievits Kroon

For many of us, romance likely fell by the wayside many moons ago. Trying to fit a candle-lit dinner between the nappy changes and household routines or meet for a clandestine tryst sometime between the board meetings and traffic jams is a greater challenge for many than ascending Table Mountain on foot. Kievits Kroon Country Estate & Spa’s sublime new package – Summer True Romance – offers luxurious accommodation and a sophisticated restaurant with a culinary experience to rival none, while the award-winning spa features a range of superb, world-class treatments guaranteed to relax and rejuvenate. The package costs R945 per person sharing, per night and includes accommodation, a six-course dinner in Granita restaurant, a buffet breakfast at Kingsley’s restaurant, and a half-day spa package. Offer valid from 1 September to 14 December 2008.

For bookings or more information, contact +27 12 808 0150 or email reservations@kievitskroon.co.za.

Alternatively, you can visit www.kievitskroon.co.za.

w w w. p r e s t i g e m a g . c o . z a

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makingwaves Waterberg: Where the Game Comes Naturally

A well kept secret in the Waterberg was recently unveiled – golf legend and South Africa’s Sportsman of the Century, Gary Player, will design an 18-hole signature golf course at the exclusive Waterberg Estate, while his internationally renowned conservationist brother, Dr Ian Player will assume responsibility for the wildlife and wilderness strategy. “Waterberg will benefit directly from the passion and personal input of two of South Africa’s greatest brothers, whose partnership will redefine the environmental standard for development in Southern Africa,” says Development Consortium Director, Tony Georgiou. This development provides an opportunity to bring together two impressive individuals who will leave their imprint on the unique African landscape. “Construction of the multi-billion rand development comprising in excess of 5,000 hectares is already underway,” explains Georgiou. “The project has taken time to put together and there is no doubt that the concept of the world-first brothers Player collaboration will bring an added dimension to a place that is truly special and once visited, leaves a mark on your soul.” For more information and to experience the sense of place offered by Waterberg, visit www.waterbergestate.com.

The One-of-a-Kind Salons Patek Philippe Exhibition

The annual, international Salons Patek Philippe Exhibition finally reached South African shores in late September. This prestigious event, which only invites three destinations worldwide to participate every year, was hosted by the Watch and Jewellery Gallery in Nelson Mandela Square and included an exclusive viewing of the private collection “Tableaux du Lac.” The name Patek Philippe stands for remarkable creativity, technological virtuosity, and superiority in craftsmanship.

The partnership between Antoine Norbert de Patek and Jean-Adrien Philippe spawned an official patent awarded for a revolutionary invention that would change the face of horology around the world: the stem winding and hands setting mechanism, which eliminated the need to carry a separate key for winding the watch. It was the first of a suite of innovations that exemplifies Patek Philippe’s determination to test time and time again the limits of watchmaking ingenuity.

Since 1845, Patek Philippe has received more than 70 patents for inventions. It takes at least three years to develop a Patek Philippe watch, with more than 1,500 individual steps; yet another reason why Patek Philippe is recognised as the master of horological complications. For more information, contact +27 11 784 2595.

The Cape Grace’s Newest Beauty

The Cape Grace recently acquired the exclusive use of a luxury private Aicon 56 yacht – Spirit of the Cape – adding to the already attractive list of guest experiences and amenities. This 56-foot beauty is berthed in the cosmopolitan yacht marina in front of the hotel’s Bascule Bar, with private access for hotel guests.

Excursions on the yacht include gourmet picnic lunches prepared

by Cape Grace’s team of chefs while anchored at the world famous Clifton or Camps Bay beaches, or a champagne and oyster sunset cruise down the Atlantic seaboard while comfortably accommodated on the yacht’s teak deck. The five-star charter vessel holds a maximum of ten guests with two crew members, thus ensuring a genuine sense of exclusivity at all times. Charter costs R6,000 per hour, with a minimum charter duration of two hours. For more information or to book, contact Cape Grace Functions Manager, Elana van Zyl on +27 21 410 7099 or email elana@capegrace.com.

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Foremost Yachts Ferretti 761 show boat for sale in South Africa.

Whatever advertisements for luxury yachts may show, the sea is seldom mirror smooth.

In fact, once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve left the marina, its motion is often enough to make the boat roll and cause discomfort and even seasickness.

Ferrettiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s patented ARG (Anti Rolling Gyro), co-developed with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, reduces rolling by more than 50%, making life on board considerably more comfortable, especially at anchor and at low speeds.

Ferretti and ARG. For people who like using their yachts.

With ARG

Without ARG

Ferretti distributors for South Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands:

Foremost Yacht Sales & Charter 9th Floor, Corporate Place, 9 Gardiner Street, Durban, 4000, South Africa / info@foremostyachts.co.za

/ www.foremostyachts.co.za

+27 (0)31 301 2222 - Durban / +27 (0)83 271 1013 - Haig Summers (Cape Town) / +27 (0)83 661 6522 - Roy Dunster (Johannesburg)

Exclusive Italian motor yachts by the Ferretti Group