Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Lifestyle is a bi-annual magazine from Mulpha Land Bhd., published with the primary objective of keeping all
Mulpha privileged guests abreast with the latest lifestyle issues and the Group’s upcoming developments.
Copies of Lifestyle can be obtained from the Mulpha International Bhd. office. For enquiries, please call
(603) 7957 2233 or (603) 7955 1344 or contact Zainal Shukri at [email protected]
CHAIRMANChung Tze Hien
CEOLai Meng
GENERAL MANAGERRonn Yong
EDITORFaridah Hanim
EDITORIAL BOARDZainal ShukriMulpha, Malaysia
Koh Boon TengMulpha Land, Malaysia
Terence LeeMulpha Land, Malaysia
Sally MorganMulpha, Australia & Hayman
Thomas ThangMulpha, Vietnam
Karen EvansBimbadgen Estate, Australia
Elizabeth MasselosInterContinental Sydney, Australia
Dush VelcekHilton Melbourne Airport, Australia
Mark JensenSanctuary Cove, Australia
Karen EdwardsNorwest Land, Australia
Peter LewisThe Hotel School Sydney, Australia
Erin MillarHyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove, Australia
ADVERTISING/SALES ENQUIRIESZainal Shukri+603 – 7957 2233 ext [email protected]
INTERIOR DESIGNDesign Development DepartmentMulpha Land & Property Sdn. Bhd.
PRINTINGLabel Plus Sdn. Bhd.
CONTACTSMulpha International Bhd.(603) 7957 2233Mulpha Australia Limited (Australia)(61-2) 9268 5000Mulpha Vietnam(Asian Fame Dev. Ltd.)(848) 930 4009
DISTRIBUTIONMulpha’s Lifestyle magazine is a free publication showcasing the quality of life with a controlled circulation of 2,000 copies, offered to an exclusive database through selected distribution channels.
• Mulpha Group of hotels -InterContinental Sydney -Hilton Melbourne Airport -Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove -Hayman Great Barrier Reef• Residents of Leisure Farm Resort & Residences, Johor• Lifestyle brand owners• Professionals
Mulpha International Bhd. is a diversified conglomerate and a component stock of the Bursa Malaysia Composite Index.Listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad since 1983, it has shareholders’ funds of about RM2 billion. The Group’s focus is on real estate and property-related services and financial services, with operations and investments in Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and Australia.
Over the years, Mulpha has leveraged on its expertise abroad to become Malaysia’s largest real estate investor and developer in Australia, owning world-class assets that include Sanctuary Cove and Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove in Queensland, InterContinental Sydney, Hilton Melbourne Airport, Norwest Business Park Sydney, The Hotel School Sydney, Bimbadgen Estate in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley and the world-renowned and award-winning Hayman Great Barrier Reef.
the magazine volume two 2009
Contentslifestyle with a difference
volume two 2009
sojourn 02 OffTheRunways,AirportHotelsShine
06 RecipeforSuccess
11 HauteNewHomes
15 GreenDesignMoves
high life 20 MakeMineaMini
22 SanctuaryCove’sHolidaySpirits
after hours 25 ArtontheBall
29 MarriageofStyleandGrace
34 Willie’sWildChocolateRide
38 SoftBlueAdventure
life
styl
e
Off The Runways, Airport Hotels ShineWith a changed image and itinerary, airport hotels are giving downtown properties a run for their money.
WheneverinteriordesignerKhuanChew’sname
popsupinaconversation,itusuallyistopaytributeto
herMidasmentoringofDubai’smore-than-luxehotel,
theBurjalArab.Thesedayshowever,thatconversation
usuallyturnstotheswankySofitelatLondon’sHeathrow
Terminal5.WithbathroomsfittedwithSwarovskicrystal
fixturesandaFrenchrestaurantbyMichelin-starred
restaurateur,AlbertRoux,thepropertywillnotlookatall
outofplacehaditbeenin,say,theposhneigbourhood
ofKensington.
ThisSofitelairportoutpostisnottheonlyoneenjoying
thestyleanddesignoftrendyA-listdesigners.Just
lastyear,MilanesearchitectMatteoThuncompleted
Radisson’slatestchaininZurichthatincludedArne
JacobsenEggchairsandPhillipStarckbathtubs.Others,
suchasChicago’s556-roomInterContinentalO’Hare
hotelevenhasa275-seatlivemusicvenue.Achange
toodrasticorlongoverdue?
ForbusinesstravellerMichalPolawski,themakeover
hasbeenalongtimecoming.He’sgrowntired
oftheairless,cookie-cutterabodesthathave
becometheleitmotifofpastairporthotels.“I’dbe
happiercampingintheterminalthanwrestlingwith
thefrustrationofstayinginahumdrumhotel,”he
confessed.HappilyforPolawski,notonlycanhe
lookforwardtochicroomsandbreezieratmosphere
today,butmanyairporthotelsboastanarchitecture
sostylishtheybelonginthepagesofWallpaper.
ConsidertheRadissonBluHotelFrankfurt,a
futuristicglassdiscstructurerising96metreshigh.
Theglassfaçadenotonlyprovidesaestheticvalue,
butalsoprotectsthe428roomsinthehotelfrom
01
02
01 ThelobbyofCitizenMSchiphol
02 AstandardroomatCitizenMSchiphol
�0�02
sojournOffTheRunways,AirportHotelsShine
solarradiation.Thespeciallydesignedglassalsokeeps
theroomscoolduringthesummer,allowingthehotelto
bemoreenergyefficient.Another,theKempinskiMunich
Airport,consideredbymanytravellersasthefirstever
trueluxuryairporthotel,stilllooksgoodafter15years.Its
steel-and-glassarchitectureissignatureofGerman-born
architectHelmutJahn,whoalsoincorporatedaspacious
gardeninthestyleofVersaillesintheplanning.
DuringtheUShotelboomin2007,airporthotelsranked
secondbehindluxuryhotelsintheestimatedUS$5.5
billiontheindustryspentoncapitalinvestmentonexisting
properties.Evenduringtherecentglobaleconomic
gloom,thetrenddoesnotseemtobeslowingdown.
AUS$43.5millionNovotelhotelisalreadyintheworks
forAucklandAirport.InfusingsubtlereferencestoNew
Zealandcultureandheritage,itisslatedtoopenintime
fortheRugbyWorldCupin2011.
ManyairporthotelsboastanarchitecturesostylishtheybelonginthepagesofWallpaper.
03
04
05
06
03 Amsterdam’sCitizenMSchiphol04 SofitelLondonHeathrow05 ThePresidentialSuiteofRegal
AirportHotelHongKong06 Gorgeousbathroomviewsof
RegalAirportHotelHongKong
Elsewhere,RegalAirportHotelHongKongrecentlyannouncedaUS$5
millioninvestmenttoupgradeitsproperty.Oncecompleted,thehotel
willhaveanadditional67guestrooms,providingatotalof1,171rooms.
Thisincludestwoduplexsuitesthatboastofa9-metreceiling,arelaxing
lounge,studyanddiningareaswithafullkitchen.SaysGeneralManager
RichardHodges,“Thesenewsuitesaretrulyluxuriousandcontemporary
withfullfacilitiesprovidingauniqueandperfectexperienceforbusiness
travellerswithhighexpectations.”
BjornHanson,headanalystatthehospitalitydivisionofUS
PricewaterhouseCoopers,says,“Business-orientedhotelsareneeding
torespondtothewantsandexpectationsofbusinesstravellers.”This
meansanticipatingtheirneedsandprovidingthemaseamlesshotel
experience.Manyairporthotelsnowhaveexpresscheck-in/check-out
thatallowsgueststoregisterandtakeoffinamoment’snotice.At
MarriottDallas/FortWorthAirport,guestsbenefitfromthereal-time,
‘glance-and-go’airlineflightinformationdisplayedatthelobby.According
toResidentManagerSharonCapka,“Manyofourgueststraveltoand
fromtheDallas/FortWorthAirport,andknowingtheirflightstatusat
DFWbeforetheyleavethehotelisimportant.”Italsoallowsguestsmore
07
Conventionalairlinepassengersstillmakeupthebulkoftheoccupancy,butmoreandmoreairporthotelsaremarketingtheirservicestoextendedbusinesstravellers,localresidentsandevenairportemployees.
08
07 SingaporeCrownePlazaChangiHotel08 ThebarareaatCrownePlazaChangi09 ThefitnesscentreatHiltonMelbourne
Airport10 AroomatHiltonMelbourneAirport11 ArtlaunchatHiltonMelbourneAirport
09
�0�04
confidenceinmakingtheirtravelplans,cutting
downonpotentialchallengesattheairport.
Thejet-laggedtravellerwillalsofindlotsto
benefitfromnewservicesandamenities,
suchasatKuching’sFourPointsbySheraton
inMalaysia,wherethefitnesscentreopens
24hours.Somehotels,respondingtothe
needsoftech-savvy,gadget-lovingbusiness
travellers,havegonetheMTVway,offering
anythingfromsoothing,pre-loadedtuneson
theiPod(Singapore’sCrownePlazaHotelat
ChangiAirport)toMoodpadrooms(CitizenM
SchipholAirportHotelinAmsterdam).
Luxetouches,oncethesuigenerisofluxury
resorts,arenowpartandparcelofairport
hotelsmakeover.BackatRegalAirportHotel
HongKong,aspa,twopools–oneoutdoor
andoneindoor–andalandscapedgarden
allowgueststofeeltheyareanywherebut
neartheairport.Heathrow’sSofitelcomeswith
achoiceofsuites,whereguestshaveaccess
totheloungefordailyhorsd’oeuvresandfull
butlerservice.
AtHiltonMelbourneAirport,there’sevenan
artexhibitionspaceonitsfifthfloor.Says
Marketing&CommunicationsManagerDush
Velcek,“Havinganexhibitionprogramme
allowsustoprovidesupportforlocalartists.”
Apercentageoftheprofitsaredonated
tovariouscharities,suchastheLupus
Foundation,AntiCancerCouncilandthe
StarLightFoundation.“Thelauncheswe
hostforeachexhibitionhavebroughtanew
demographicofvisitortothehotel,andthis
inturn,createsPRandexposuretothehotel
throughoutthecharitynetwork.”Velcekisalso
thehotel’sin-housecurator.
sojournOffTheRunways,AirportHotelsShine
Indeed,thisshiftinserviceanddesignhas
madetheairporthotelmorethanjusta
convenientshelterfortheharriedtraveller.
Conventionalairlinepassengersstillmakeup
thebulkoftheoccupancy,butmoreandmore
airporthotelsaremarketingtheirservicesto
extendedbusinesstravellers,localresidents
andevenairportemployees.
“Airporthotelsarethemselvesbecomingreal
destinations,”oneindustryexpertcommented.
LikewithSofitelHeathrow,withits45meeting
rooms–thelargestconferencehotelinBritain
–andaspathatincludesahammamanda
restaurantthathasfivelivecookingstations,
guestsareinvitedtolinger.Andwiththe
terminalamere100metresaway,catching
thatflightoutjustmeanssteppingoutintothe
hotellobby.
10 11
02
RECIPEFOR SUCCESS
Ingredients:One cup of 21st Birthday Celebration
One large serving of International Celebrity Chef
One ballroom at a luxurious five-star resort
Ten servings of talented Hyatt Chefs + kitchen staff
Twenty six banquet staff
300kg Snapper
100kg Darling Downs Beef
100kg Jerusalem Artichoke
120kg Coconut puree
2000 bottles of Hardy Wines
1200 Gordon Ramsay fans
Method:Mix all ingredients together
Result: One of Gold Coast’s most enjoyable and
successful food events this year
�
sojournRecipeforSuccess
0�06
TheGordonRamsayseriesoflunchesanddinners
heldinearlyJuneintheBallroomatHyattRegency
SanctuaryCovetocelebrateSanctuaryCove’s21st
BirthdayCelebrationwastodateoneofthehighlights
oftheyear.Ridinginonatsunamiofpublicity,Gordon
RamsayarrivedatSanctuaryCovetopresentsome
exclusivelunchesanddinnerstoadoringfansand
enjoysomedowntime.Thiseventsawover1,200
peopletravelfromalloverAustraliaandNewZealand
toseetheirfavouritechefinaction.
WhileontheGoldCoast,Gordonenjoyedfivedays
asaSanctuaryCoveresidentlivinginamultimillion
dollarpropertyonTheCircle.Thoroughlyenjoyingthe
privacyandexclusivityoftheresidentialcommunity,he
evenjokedwiththemediaduringaphotocallsaying
hehadpurchasedthevilla.
Eacheventovertheweekendprovedtobe
ahugesuccessparticularlyforthosewho
purchasedVIPticketstoenjoy30minutes
withGordonatthepre-eventcocktailparties.
Gueststothelunchesanddinnersindulgedin
aGordonRamsayMasterClasswithGordon
preparingfourofhissignaturedishesright
beforetheminapurpose-builtkitchensetup
intheHyattballroom.WhileGordonprepared
eachdishonstage,theHyattchefsunder
thesupervisionofGordon’sSousChefStuart
Gilliespreparedexactlythesamedishwhich
wasthenservedtoallguests.
PresidentofSommeliersAustraliaand
co-writer/presenterofThe Wine Guide,Ben
Edwardstookontheroleofemceeforthe
GordonRamsayeventsandchoseallthe
winesthataccompaniedandcomplemented
eachmeal.Guestsdelightedinlearningabout
thewinethatwouldaccompanyeachdish,as
wellastakingawayaspecialtipaboutdrinking
stillwaterwithlightsimplewhitewinesand
sparklingwaterwithfull-bodiedredandwhite
winestoenhancetheoverallwineexperience.
The Gordon Ramsay Sanctuary Cove event menu
included:-
EntréeofJerusalemArtichokeSoupwithRoastedShallots
accompaniedbyHardysSirJamesVintagePinotNoir
Chardonnay2004andAcquaPannaStillMineralWater.
CarpaccioBeefWithBarigouleVegetablesandQuailEggs
servedwithHardys‘ButchersGold’ShirazSangiovese2007
andS.PellegrinoSparklingMineralWater.
MainofRoastFilletSnapperwithCauliflowerCreamand
ShellfishVinaigrettewithHardysHRBD636Chardonnay
2007,HardysEileenHardyChardonnay2006(AReserve)
andAcquaPannaStillMineralWater.
DessertofCoconutPannaCottaWithMangoSorbetand
CoffeeEssencecomplementedbyHardysWhiskersBlake
ClassicTawnyandS.PellegrinoSparklingMineralWater.
�
sojournHomeGrown
0�08
09
Thequestionandanswersessionfollowingeachevent
provedveryentertaining.Anumberoflocalchefsdelighted
inhavingthechancetoaskGordon“foodie”questions
whileothersrelishedinthechancetoputGordononthe
spotwithsomequiteinterestingandunusualquestions.
WhileatSanctuaryCoveGordondidabooksigningat
ÔBar+GrillinTheMarineVillage,whichsaw60lucky
winnersgettomeetGordon,haveaphototakenwithhim
andgetasignedcopyofhisautobiographyHumble Pie.
Despitemediareportsleadinguptotheeventandthe
media’spersistencetofindanegativestory,Gordonwasa
completeprofessionalthroughouttheweekendanddidnot
hesitatetospeakwithanyonewhoapproachedhimfora
photographoraquickchat.
Andifyouarewonderingwhereaninternationalcelebrity
chefchoosestodinewhileontheGoldCoast–lookno
furtherthantheFireplaceatHyattRegencySanctuary
CoveandTheMarineVillageSanctuaryCove.Thechefs
atTheFireplacearestillreelingaftercookingforGordon
andhisentouragenotonce,buttwicewhilehewasstaying
atSanctuaryCoveand,MaxandAmandafromLoesco
delightedinlookingafterGordonontheThursdaynight.
FollowingthebooksigningatÔBar+Grillin
TheMarineVillageontheSunday,Gordon
promisedtogobackfollowinghislunch
eventandbyallreportshethoroughly
enjoyedoneofthenewestdiningvenues
atTheMarineVillage.Chefsfromeachof
therestaurantsthatGordonvisitedoverthe
weekendweredelightedwhenhemade
apointofgoingupandmeetingthem
beforetakinghisseat.Forachef,thiswas
somethingtheywillcherishthroughouttheir
careers.
TheGordonRamsayseriesoflunchesand
dinnerswereapartoftheexcitingactivities
andeventsscheduledthroughout2009to
celebrateSanctuaryCove’s21stBirthday.
Withmoreexcitingeventsinplanning,
SanctuaryCove’scomingofagewillbea
yeartoremember.
sojournRecipeforSuccess
Gordonwasacomplete
professionalthroughout
theweekendanddidnothesitatetospeakwith
anyonewhoapproached
himforaphotographor
aquickchat.
11
11
life
styl
e
Haute New HomesLeisure Farm Resort unveils its 3G Homes for discerning homeowners and the next generation of homebuyers.
sojournHauteNewHomes
1110
Takingtheenvironmentandachangingdemandinglifestyleinto
account,propertydeveloperscontinuetorethinkthehomesoftomorrow.
ForMulphaLandBerhad,thiswasthebestopportunitytoshowcasetheir
edgeindesigningcontemporaryhomeswithoutcompromisingonthecore
valuesofcomfortandlivability.Andnowhereelsearehomesofthefuture
bestshowcasedthanatLeisureFarmResort,theexclusiveresidential
developmentthatcelebratestomorrow’sconceptliving.
LeisureFarmResortunveilstwonewhomedesignsaptlycalledthe3G
Homes(Green,Gated,Generation).3Greferstoanewgenerationof
intelligenthomeswithbuilt-intechnologiesdevelopedinthebestinterest
oftheenvironmentandmodern-dayfamilyrequirements.Thetwodesigns,
LoftandPavilion,havebothbeenconceptualisedtomirrorthisconcept.
Eachhomehasbeentailoredasamodelforthenextgenerationliving,
withoutsacrificingtheenvironment,securityandprivacy.
LoftandPavilionowemuchofitssleek,green
sustainableelementsfromconformingtothe
GreenBuildingIndexandCONQUAS.Homes
aredesignedwithsustainableelementsand
recyclablematerialsinmindtomaximise
naturallighting,waterandcrossventilation
forhealthyliving.Rainwaterarerecycled
forrecreationalandgardeninguse.Home
orientationprovidesnaturalventilation,
sun-shadingandmaximumdaylightthat
minimisesenergyconsumptiontokeep
thehousescoolandlight.Otherfeatures,
includingenergy-savinglampsand
water-efficientfittings,alsocontributetowards
amoreenvironmentally-drivenhome,perfect
forthoseseekingalow-impactlifestyle.
Elsewhere,thegardenenvironmentalso
createshomesthataregreenandsoothing
tothesenses.BothLoftandPavilionare
setwithinanacreofestatelotsitewith
meanderingcanalwaterways.Eachhome
stylehasbeendesignedtoconformtothe
landscape,allowingformaximisedviewsof
thesurroundingenvironmentfromallcorners
ofthehouse.TheGreenPlotratioensures
engagementwiththesurroundings’natural
contours,withlandscapedgardensandcanal
waterwaysbecomingonewiththehomes
insteadofexistingasseparateentities.
Thegatedandguardedenvironmentprovides
thepeaceofmindforhomeownerstoenjoy
livinginoneofMalaysia’spremierresidential
resorts.Perimeterfencing,precinctfencing,
multi-layerelectronicaccess,24-hourpatrol,
andhomesequippedwithalarm/panicbutton
areallanodtowardsintelligenthomesofthe
future.
Thehomesarealsoexcellentmodelsof
efficiencyforcommunalliving.Thereare
pocketsofprivacytobefoundinthehomes,
roomsinsiderooms,combinationofvarious
spheres,eachwithadifferentfunctionand
purpose,allowingownerstoliveunderone
roofcomfortablywithoutcompromisingon
personalspace.Thankstothecleverplayof
spacesandlivingareas,bothLoftandPavilion
haveseparatemulti-familyliving,entertainment
andlifestylespacestoaccommodatethe
needsoftoday’smodernliving.
The3Ghomesresonatewithanattemptto
combinearchitecturewiththeenvironment
andfuturisticfindsinitsdesigns,creating
stylisticsubtletieshomeownerscanappreciate
formanyyearstocome.
1�12
sojournHauteNewHomes
Spaceiswell-definedintheLoft.Here,thefamilymaylivewithinthesamespaceand
stillfindpersonalsanctuary.Thehome,clearlydemarcatedintofourdomains,offers
adiscreetseparationofspaceswhilelinkingthemthroughwaterandquietpassages.
Theprivate,semi-private,guestandloftareasshareacommonviewofthepool
whichstraddlesthecentre.Onemovesseamlesslyfromthemasterbedroom,
throughthedining,kitchenandfamilycentreandintotheloftwherethespacecanbe
adaptedintoarecreationalareaorevenastudy.Lightandairsiftthroughfreelyand
thepool,byvirtueofcarefullyplacedwindowsandopenings,providescoolnessto
thehomeandacalmingeffecttothepsyche.
Loft
sojournHauteNewHomes
Themajestyofitstriplepavilionroofbeliestheserenityofitsinteriorspaces.
Here,theimpressionofgrandeurgiveswayquicklytointimacyandcloseness
themomentonestepsintothehome.Bedroomsareshuffledneatlytogether
ononesidewhilefamilylivingspacesdominatethecentreandtheopposite
side.Ahead,apondlinedwithtreesandapoolripplesoftlytowardsthe
waterfront.Thewaterflows,layeruponlayer,extendingthenotionofpeace
andharmonyintoyourworld.Fromabove,wheretheprivatesanctuaryofyour
bedroomlies,youarethemasterofallthesespaces.Here,whereeleganttall
pavilionsmeetgentlesimplicity,youfindthebestofbothworldsforyourfamily
underoneroof.
Pavilion
1�
life
styl
e
Green Design MovesRaintree Residence becomes the model of green rehabilitation throughout Mulpha Land Berhad’s sustainable renovation.
14
Inrehabilitatingtheoncegrandeurarchitecture,MulphaLandBerhadwas
keentoadoptsustainablepracticesandgreendesignsthatwouldrender
suchprojectswithaslittleimpactaspossibletothenaturalenvironment.
Thegeneralobjectivewastoadoptthe‘Green’approachofrestoring,
reusing,preservingandenhancingtheexistingfacilities,andtobringback
RaintreeResidence’spastglorywhileintegratingthepropertyintothe
existingurbanfabricoftheAmpangHillneighbourhood.
The Raintree Residence building was built in 1987. It had become the neighbourhood’s singular, ordinary icon, most likely for its French Mansard-influenced roof style and the seemingly endless balconies that provided soothing views of the verdant Raintree Clubhouse across the street.
1�
Variousstepsandelementswereintroduced
andundertakentobalancetheoldwith
thenew.Throughlandscaping,Raintree
Residencewasgivenamodern,tropicalfeel
thatincorporatedexistingmaturetreesin
thearea,allowingeveryunitofthe12-unit
apartmentabalconyviewofthesurrounding
green.
Increatingthistropicaloasis,thedevelopers
observedastrictnositeclearancepolicy,
wherenocuttingorfellingoftreeswasdone
inthevicinity.Instead,newsaplingswere
plantedduringpre-constructionwithspecies
specificallychosentoprovideshade,shrub
andmosquitopreventiononcetheymature.
Stepswerealsotakentopreserveexisting
topsoilandtreeswhileincorporatingthenew
landscapetrees.
Reducingtheenvironmentalimpactfurther,
thedevelopersreducedconstructionand
demolitionwastethroughdeconstructing
andsalvagingusablebuildingmaterialsfrom
structuresslatedfordemolition.Allwood
doorswerereused,solidwoodstairtreads
andstoneswererecycled,and80percent
ofallexistingdecorativewalls,floortilesand
wallgranitewerealsopreserved.Oneof
thefinestexamplesofthispracticewasthe
building’sexistingrubblestone.Thiswas
reusedasretainingfinwallscreatedtodrawin
maximisedcrossventilationforcoolingwhile
providingprivacyforthearea.
sojournGreenDesignMoves
16
Another feature created for Raintree is the introduction of the soak zone, an area where the temperature is maintained at equilibrium. The entire site is subdivided into nine distinctive pocket gardens as soak zones with various species of trees screening and shrubs defined with hard landscape. Elsewhere, in order to help increase the functionality of the soak zones, the building’s surrounding is created with Water Permeability green area. Water collection from the walkway roofing is discharged into the green surrounding as permeable soak zones. Rubble stones are used in the design to reduce water run-off and promote water recycling.
1�
ImprovingtofurtherlessentheimpactofRaintreeResidenceto
thenaturalenvironment,varioustechniquesstressingenergy
efficienciesandtechnologicalchangeswerealsointroduced.Ceiling
fanswereinstalled,allowingforbettercirculationandtoencourage
tenantstoreducedependencyonairconditioning.Window
openingsizewasincreasedtoallownaturallighting,naturalcross
ventilationandreduceheatgain.Thebuildingalsohasadouble
glazingfeaturethatimprovessoundinsulationandheatgain.Energy
conservationcoolingequipmentandinstantwaterheatingsystem
weretheadditionalgreenandsustainabledesignsintroducedtothe
renovationproject.
Greenarchitectureisthepracticeofincreasingtheefficiencyin
whichbuildingsuseresources–energy,waterandmaterials–while
reducingbuildingimpactsonhumanhealthandtheenvironment
throughbetterdesign,construction,operationandmaintenance.
Whilesmallinscale,theconceptwasappliedtoRaintreeResidence,
focusingonrestorationbyreusingorrecyclingexistingbuilding
finishestoreducecarbonfootprint.Thisprovidesnotonly
whole-buildingconservation,butsignificantlyloweredtheamount
ofwastebeingplacedintothelandfills.
sojournGreenDesignMoves
18
Thesedayspeoplehavealotlesstimetotravelandcanoftenfindthecostprohibitivewhentravellingwithchildren.Minibreaksallowspeopletotakeshortbreakspackagedtobecosteffectiveandsimpletobook.
ItcouldbeaThursdayandyoudecideyouwanttotakeyourfamilyawayforalongweekend,bookingaMinibreaksisassimpleasgettingonlineandselectingwhereyouwanttogoandchoosingyourpackageinclusions;thebestnewsisthatchildrenundertheageof10stayandeatforfree.Alternatively,shouldyourequireasecondroomforthefamily,youwillreceivea50%discountonthatroom.*
Availableonanydayoftheweek,Minibreaksofferarangeofoptionsincludingfullservice,bedandbreakfastorroomonlyandadditionalbenefitsincludinglazybreakfastserveduntil11:00amandlatecheck-outuntil4:00pmonSaturdaysandSundays.**
FamiliesarenotforgottenwiththeintroductionofMyLittleHilton,aspeciallydesignedofferingforouryoungerguestsaspartoftheMinibreakspackage.MyLittleHiltonincludesfreestaysforchildrenwhensharingtheirparents’room,asecondroomathalfprice,andfreefoodandbeveragefromthechildren’smenuforchildrenuptotheageof10.
* Conditions apply, subject to availability. ** Subject to availability.
life
styl
e
Make Mine a MiniTake a break with Hilton Melbourne Airport Minibreaks.
Minibreaks is a flexible, short-stay package perfect for families and singles looking to tailor-make the perfect getaway.
21
Hilton Melbourne AirportArrivalDriveMelbourneAirportVic.3045Tel:+61 3 8336 2037
high lifeMakeMineaMini
2120
life
styl
e
Sanctuary Cove’s Holiday SpiritsEnjoy Christmas in style with a relaxing holiday in the tropical surroundings of Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove.
Fillyourdayslazingbyourbeachlagoonpoolsippingcocktails,orbemoreadventurousandexploreallthatSanctuaryCovehastooffer.TheMarineVillagefeaturesboutiqueshopping,restaurantsandcafés,arangeofgolfcoursesnearby,orventurealittlefurthertotheexcitingGoldCoastthemeparks,beautifulHinterlandandbeaches.
CampHyattisavailableforthekidsandChampionsDaySpawillfulfilallofyourbeautyandpamperingneeds.ChoosefromanumberofaccommodationpackagesandawonderfulvarietyofdiningoptionsoverChristmasDay.Ourdiningoptionsarealwayspopular,sobesuretobookearly–youwon’twanttomissoutonanyofthecelebrations.
WewantyoutoenjoyyourChristmasandwelookforwardtosharingthisspecialtimewithyou.
Cove Caféfrom6pm
‘‘TwasthenightbeforeChristmasandallthroughtheGreatHouse,peoplewereeating,muchmorethanamouse’.TemptyourtastebudsonChristmasEvewithaninternationalbuffetfeaturingtraditionalfestivedishesandsweettreats.
EnjoythelovelysoundsofourChristmascarollersperforminglivethroughouttheevening.
AUD$75perpersonBookingsareessential.Call +6 7 5501 9840.
The Fireplacefrom6pm
Oursignaturerestaurantwillbeopenfrom6pmofferingtantalisingdishesfromourálacartemenu.
Bookingsareessential.Call +6 7 5530 1234.
2�
Getinearlyandtreatyourselfandyourlovedonestoaweekendgetaway.
FromjustAUD$350pernight,enjoyluxuriousRegencyClubaccommodation,fullbuffetbreakfastfortwoinCoveCafé,andaccesstotheexclusiveRegencyClubLoungewhereyoucanenjoyrefreshmentsthroughoutthedayandcanapésandbeveragesintheevening*.
Forextraluxury,upgradeyouraccommodationtoaQueenslanderorHomesteadSuite**.
Forbookings,visitsanctuarycove.regency.hyatt.com***
* StayinaluxuriousguestroomfromAUD$260pernight,roomonly.Offervalidfrom1August2009andsubjecttoavailability.
** Upgradefeeapplies.*** WhenbookingonlinepleasebookunderAdvancePurchase.
Advance Purchase
Christmas Early Bird Special
HyattRegencySanctuaryCoveManorCircle,SanctuaryCoveQueensland4212
Tel:+6755301234sanctuarycove.regency.hyatt.com
high lifeSanctuaryCove’sHolidaySpirits
2�22
2�
after hoursArtontheBall
24
life
styl
e
Art on the Ball2010 Fine Art combines the passion of sport with the beauty of art.
“ItwasWaldyrPereira,theBrazilianmidfielderbetterknownasDidi,whofirstcoinedtheterm‘Football–theBeautifulGame’.2010FineArtbreathesnewlifeintothatdescription,”saysRobSpaull,GeneralManagerof2010FineArt.“Initseighty-yearhistorytheFIFAWorldCup™hasevolvedintosomuchmorethansimplythemost-watchedsportingeventonEarth,”saysSpaull.
01 LuizCavalli(Brazil)‘Commemoration’
01
2010FineArtisaSouthAfricancompanythat
hasacquiredfromtheGlobalBrandsGroup,
FIFA’sMasterLicensee,agloballicenseto
produceanddistributefineartrelatedto
the2010FIFAWorldCup™.“Finearton
thisscalehasneverbeforebeenlicensed
foraFIFAWorldCup™”,saysCraigMark,
ManagingDirectorof2010FineArt.“As
SouthAfricans,weareextremelyproudthat
2010,ourFIFAWorldCup™,willbreakthis
newground.2010FineArtwilluplift,inspire
andunite,creatingnewplatformstobringthe
worldtoAfricaandtakeAfricatotheworld
throughart.”
SpeakingaboutthetwomainCollections,
Spaulladds:“Weareassemblingbotha
2010InternationalFineArtCollectionand
a2010AfricanFineArtCollection.The
InternationalCollectionwillsee160of
theworld’sleadingcontemporaryartists
–fivefromeachofthe32qualifyingnations
–producingoriginalworksinspiredbyAfrica,
theFIFAWorldCup™,andtheirownnational
pride.Theseworkswilleachbereproduced
210times(linkingbacktotheyear2010)
andissuedasasigned,limitededitionof
highqualityprints.Theseworkswillthenbe
exhibitedin32differentcitiesaroundtheworld
inearly2010.Thescopeandscaleofthe
undertakingis,webelieve,matchedonlybyits
potentialtohelpbuildtheglobalexcitementof
thefirstAfricanFIFAWorldCup™.”
Thusfar,54internationalartistsfromsix
continentshavealreadyagreedtoparticipate
inthe2010InternationalFineArtCollection.
“Ithasbecomeaglobalsymbolofexcellence,bridgingdividesandunitingpeoplearoundtheworldinasharedpassionfortheevent.In2010,itbecomesevengreater–withthefirstAfricanFIFAWorldCup™.TocelebratetheworldreturningtoAfrica,wehavelaunched2010FineArt–oneofthelargestandmostambitiousinternationalartcollaborationsinhistory.”
03
02
04
02 KeithCalder(SouthAfrica)‘GoalKeeper’
03 MarianneNaerebout(Netherlands)‘GOAAL!’
04 KimiSakaki(Japan)‘PlayCentipedeJapan’
2�
“Wearehonouredtohaveartistsofthe
calibreofSpain’sEleazar,Argentina’sPablodi
Masso,Australia’sRichardBirmingham,and
Japan’sKimiSakakialreadyonboard,”says
Spaull.Theveryfirstworkacceptedintothe
Collection–‘AfricaTwirl’byEngland’sPeter
Phillips,knownastheFatherofBritishPopArt
andacontemporaryofAndyWarhol,serves
asavibrantsamplingofthe2010International
FineArtCollection.“Ourplanistolaunchthe
bulkoftheCollectioninearlyDecemberto
coincidewiththefinalFIFAdrawhereinCape
Town.”
Turningtothe2010AfricanFineArtCollection
Spaullsays,“Therehasneverbeenabetter
platformtopromotethedepthofAfrican
artistictalentthantheFIFAWorldCup™.It
isourbestchancetoshowcasethecreative
wealthofourcontinent.TheCollection
isbeingassembledintwoparts:Amore
accessiblecollectionofAfricanrangesthatwill
includesculptures,artphotographs,paintings,
etchingsandmanyothermedia;aswellas
apioneeringPanAfricanexhibitionrootedin
thestrongestarttraditionsfromacrossAfrica,
professionallycuratedbyateamoffiveleading
SouthAfricanexperts.ThisPanAfricanexhibitionwill
behostedduringtheWorldCupinoneofthelargest
HostCitiesasanOfficialParallelEvent.”
Speakingaboutthemorecommercial2010African
FineArtrangesSpaullexplains:“Theworksincluded
sofarinthecollectionrepresenttheincredible
variationswithinthecollectionitself.FromKeith
Calder’sincrediblebronze“Footballers”toMutheki’s
powerfulpaintingsoftownshipsoccerscenes;from
ClintStrydom’sevocativeblackandwhitephoto
range,“RealHeroes,”tothefunandvibrant“Cows
LoveFootballToo”seriesbyKenyanartistTaju.Gavin
Rainhasproducedsomeamazingworksof
neo-pointillismwithimageshiddenwithinother
images;BhekiKhambule’spaintingsofthehost
stadiumsandWelcomeDanca’srichportraitsof
soccerinthestreetsarealsobeingexhibited.Arange
ofHildegardvanHeerden’setchings,andworksby
theiconicEstherMahlanguwillalsosoonbeadded.”
26
05
06
07
05 GustavoRosa(Brazil)‘Goal’
06 CharlesJan(Korea)‘GoFootball’
07 KeithCalder(SouthAfrica)‘BicycleKick’
after hoursArtontheBall
KenyanartistJosiahWaiguruGitau,better
knownastheartistTaju,hadthistosayabout
theproject:“It’sareallybigopportunityfor
Africanartistslikemyself–andit’sareally
greatthingthatthiscompanyhasfounda
waytousetheWorldCuptobenefitAfrican
art.Foryearswehaveheardhowmassivean
opportunitytheWorldCupwillbenotjustfor
SouthAfricabutforallofAfrica–wearereally
happytobepartofaprojectthatismaking
thatareality.”
AsagalleryownerinKwaZulu-Natalhimself,
CraigMarkbelievesthe2010AfricanFine
Artrangeswillbehighlysoughtafter.“There
hasneverbeenartofthiscalibreofferedin
relationtoaFIFAWorldCup™”,saysMark.
“TheCollectionisstillbeingassembledand
willhavesomethingforeveryone’stastes.
WearealsoappealingtoAfricanartistsand
galleryownerswhowouldliketogetinvolved
tocontactusassoonaspossible.”The
AfricanFineArtCollectionhasalreadybeen
exhibitedacrossSouthAfrica,incitiessuch
asCapeTown,Johannesburg,Durban,and
Mangaung,andhasaconstantlyexpanding
listoffutureexhibitsinthefutureleadingup
totheWorldCup.
“Artandsporthavebeenlinkedfromthestartofrecordedhistory,”saysSpaull.“Theybothhavethepowertouniteandtoinspire–andaswelaunch2010FineArtinSouthAfricatoday,itisourhopethatthisprojectandourCollectionswillbecomeakeyfeatureofthe2010FIFAWorldCup™.”
08
09
08 GavinRain(SouthAfrica)‘FanVictory’
09 Taju(Kenya)‘CowsLoveFootballToo’
2�2�28
Livesdrivenbypassionandtheidealofexcellencehaveledtwoindividualstoauniquecollaborationofspeedandstyle.
MARRIAGE OF STYLE AND GRACE
Pershing,abrandoftheFerrettiGroup,isoneoftheleading
companiesinthedesign,constructionandsaleofmotor
yachts,withauniqueportfolioofnineofthemostexclusive
brandsinthenauticalworld:FerrettiYachts,Pershing,Itama,
Bertram,Riva,Apreamare,MochiCraft,CRNandCustom
Line.Pershingisconsideredoneofthelasttrueyacht
manufacturingcompaniesthatnotonlymarketstheboats,
butactuallymakesthem.
Itwasthisdistinctvaluetotime-honouredtraditionsand
manufacturingknow-howthatcaughttheattentionof
Jean-MarcJacot,ParmigianiFleurier’sCEO,acompany
thatsince1996,hasredefinedtheworldofhautehorology.
Whenachancemeetingbetweenthecompanies’twotop
mentookplaceattheCannesInternationalBoatShow
in2006,itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforeamaritime
marriageensued.Thefinalfrontier:Toproduce,bywayof
collaborationbetweenthetwocompanies,thefirstrange
ofunderwatersportswatchesthatblendtheessencesand
designsignaturesofeachrespectivebrand.
PershingS.p.a.hasbeendesigning,producingand
marketingluxury‘open’motoryachtsforover27years,
andnowboastsafirmlyestablishedpositionasoneof
theleadingnamesinthe‘MadeinItaly’fibreglassopen
yachtsector.ThePershingrangestandsoutforits
superiorperformance,constantlyresearchedstyle,top
qualitymaterialsandpainstakinglydesignedinteriorsthat
offerultimatecomfort.Advancedconstructionmethods,
powerfulenginesreaching7400MHPandtheuseofsurface
propellers,hydrojetsandgasturbinesallcombinetogive
Pershingyachtsadistinctivelysportingtrimandpeakspeeds
ofupto52knots.
Significantly,Pershingwascreatedbythedreamand
determinationofitsPresident,TilliAntonelli.Hislovefor
boatsbeganasaboywhenhesailedonthe‘Morodi
Venezia’alongsideRaoulGardini.Thiswastheperiod
whenhemadethehighlyintuitivemoveofbecomingaboat
constructorandtogetherwithtwofriends,foundedthe
companythat,in1981,launcheditsfirstboat.
�130
Fouryearsafterthat,followingameetingwithYachtDesignerFulvioDeSimoni,cametheideatoestablish
Pershing,whosemissionwasclearrightfromitsname.Thecompany’sfirstprojectwasthePershing
45’,anopenyachtthatoweditshugesuccesstoanewwayofenjoyingcomfortandprivacythat
revolutionisedthesector.AntonellihassinceledPershingtoitscurrentinternationalstanding,whichhe
regardsasanaturalprogression,orasheputsit:“theonlywaytogrowandexpandistojointogether”.
In1998,thecompanyjoinedtheFerrettiGroup.In2004,Pershingpurchased100percentofthecapital
ofoneofItaly’sclassicopenyachtcompanies,Itama,andAntonellitookoverasPresident.Enthusiast,
experimenter,loverofbeautyanddifficulttoplease,thesearethequalitiesthatbestdescribeTilli
Antonelli’scharacterandapproachtoyachtconstruction.
“the only way to grow and expand is to join together”
after hoursMarriageofStyleandGrace
AlmostatthesametimethatAntonellistarted,
ayoungmanbythenameofMichelParmigiani
fromtheheartofaSwissregionknownas
Val-de-Travers,wasdiscoveringapassion
forthemechanicsoftime.Fascinatedbythe
craftsmanshipofwatchmaking,Parmigiani
carvedacareerinthefieldofrestoring
horological‘objectsd’art’.Hewouldfurther
hiscreativitybydevelopingprivatelabel
timepiecesforprestigiouswatchbrands,
includingHermesandChopard.
Parmigianifoundedhisoriginalcompany,
ParmigianiMesureetArtduTempsSA,in
Fleurierin1976,whenthemechanicalwatch
businesswasreelingfromtheintroduction
ofquartztechnology.Hisrestorationwork
enhancedhisknowledgeofthehistoriccraft
whileraisinghisprofileasawatchmaker.
Itwasthisthatcaughttheattentionofthe
Sandozfamily,heirsofapharmaceutical
company,whothroughtheSandozFamily
Foundationbecamethemajorityshareholder
inParmigianiMesureetArtduTempsand
establishedtheParmigianiFleurierbrandin
1996.
Today,thecompanyisconsideredthe
benchmarkforSwisshorologicalrefinement.
Theauthenticityofitsmanufacture,reflected
initscompletelyindependentproduction,
enablesittopushitswatchmakingdreams
tothelimit,demonstratingthe‘made-to-
measure’philosophyoftheFineWatchmaking
brand.
TheprestigiouspartnershipbetweenPershing
andParmigianiFleurierwasdevelopedin
2008basedonasharedbusinessculture.
Bothareleadersintheirrespectivesectors
withinnovativeimpulseandanabilitytobe
aheadoftheirtime.Bothworkgovernedby
ethicsofthehigheststandards,choosingtop
qualitymaterials,withacontinuousquestfor
eleganceandstyle.Itwasinevitablethata
partnershipwouldensue,inspiredbythese
topvaluesofexcellence.
Pershingbecamethenaturalchoicetopartner
Parmigianiincreatinglimitededitionaquatic
timepiecesthatwouldmeettheexpectations
ofdiscerningtimepiececonnoisseurswho
pursuethatactiveandluxuriouslifestyle.The
collaborationgavebirthtotwolimitededition
models.Thefirstwascalled‘one-one-five’,
inspiredbyPershing115,theshipyard’smost
prestigiousmodel,andthesecondmodelwas
anunnumberedchronographsimplycalled,
‘zero-zero-five’.
The‘one-one-five’isanexclusively18-carat
rosegoldor950Palladiumseriesthatcomes
intwodialversions,TanandSilver,eachin
115piecenumberededitions.Itincorporates
theself-windingchronographmovement
CalibrePF190.Thecaseiswater-resistantto
660feet,andhasarotarybezel.
The‘zero-zero-five’isanon-numbered
serieswiththesameinnovativevolumes,but
availableinfourdialversions:Black,Silver,
BluMetalandAmaranth.Thissteel-only
pieceisinspiredbythesilveryreflectionsof
Pershingyachthulls,anemblematic,instantly
recognisablecolouroftheItalianbrand.
Thesteelmetalexhibitscontrastsbetween
thesatin-finishedloopsandthewatch’s
shinymiddleband.Itincorporatesthenew
ParmigianiFleurier‘in-house’self-winding
chronographmovementCalibrePF334,fully
developedbytheFleuriermanufacture.
In2009,followingtheoverwhelmingsuccess
ofthefirstcollection,Pershinghasconfirmed
theimportanceofthepartnershipsigned
withParmigianiFleurierbydevelopingand
producinganewlineofchronographs,
featuringuniquetechnology,innovation,
prestigeandpersonality.Theyarethehighly
feminineversionPershing‘zero-zero-two’
chronographandthePershingTourbillon30
secondAjouréthatcomesin40limitededition
pieces.
Pershing’sAntonellibelievesthatthedynamics
betweenthetwobrandsdirectlyreflectthe
camaraderiebetweenthemenbehindthe
enterprises.“Weimmediatelyfeltweshared
something,”hesays.“Wearebothbuilding
uniquejewelsthatalotofpeopledreamof
owning,andassoonastheyacquirethem,
theywanttoshowthemoff.”
PARMIGIANI FLEURIERPershing zero-zero-five
��32
PARMIGIANI FLEURIERPershing one-one-five
after hoursMarriageofStyleandGrace
life
styl
e Willie’s Wild Chocolate RideWillie Harcourt-Cooze, host and star of Willie’s Wonky Chocolate Factory, talks about the show, his passion for chocolates and more.
With a mission to be the first chocolate producer to grow and make 100 percent cocoa
from bean to bar, tell us how it all began.
It’sbeenapassion,along-timepassiontomakechocolate.It’sbeenaquestthat’scovered,
spanned,Isuppose15yearsnow.In1993,IfoundmyselfinVenezuela,andIstumbledacrossa
farmthatproducedthefamouscriollovarietycacao.Foundedin1640,it’sslightlyabandoned.Ifell
inlovewithit.Theguywantedtosell,butittookmeacoupleofyearstocompletethepurchasedue
justtotheeconomicsituationthere,andthat’swhereitbegan.
How did the TV series come about?
IhadspentalongperiodoftimelivinginVenezuela.Ihadtwochildrenborn
there,andI’dlivedmuchofanidylliclifemakingmy100percentbars,selling
inthelocalmarket.SoIreallyhadtakenmyselfoutofmainstreambusiness
backinEngland.
ReturningtotheU.K.andstartingabusinessisquitedifficult.Ididn’thave
ahome,anditwasveryapparentthatIwasn’tawarehowIwasgoingto
marketthischocolate.Icameupwiththeideathatthebestwaytotell
peoplewouldbetomakeashortfilm,butIaskedaround,andthemessages
thatcamebackwere:“Willie,ifyouwerefamous,they’dmakeatelevision
programme,butyou’renot,sotheywon’t”.Isortofthoughtthatwas
ridiculousbecausewhatbetterpersonwouldbeplacedtodoaprogramme
thanmyselfhavingbeenacocoafarmerfor13years.
Iwasn’thindered,andwithacoupleoffriends,shoteighthoursoftapefrom
beantobar.Thenonedayafriendmanagedtopullafavourandmadea
verygood,six-minuteprogrammeoutoftheeighthours.OnceI’dshownit
toacoupleofpeople,theyweresofascinatedbywherecacaohadcome
from,andIthinktheythoughtmyabilitytotellthestorywasgoodaswell.
Anditwentveryquicklyfromtherethatthetelevisioncompanieswere
interested,andtherestishistory.
after hoursWillie’sWildChocolateRide
��34
How big of a chocolate addict would you say you are?
Ineverwasabigchocolateaddict.Isupposeyoueatwhatyourparentseat.Inaway,you’reinfluencedbythem,andtheytendedtoeatdarkchocolate.But,youknow,45yearsago,chocolatewasn’tverysophisticated,soIdidn’treallyhaveapalate.OnceIstartedmakingmychocolatesinVenezuela,Ifounditverydifficulttoeatotherchocolatesbecauseitjustdidn’thavetheflavourtomatch.IsupposeIdoalotofchocolatetasting,asIgothroughtheprocess,soIprobablyconsumeareasonablequantity;probablyseveralhundredgramsoverathree-daymakingprocess.
What made you so fascinated with chocolates?
Itwasn’tuntilI’dstumbledacrossthefarminVenezuelathatIrealisedthereweredifferent
flavoursfromdifferentbeans,anditsuddenlyopenedmyeyestochocolateasalmostlikea
finewine.
TherewasonepointwhileItravelledaroundVenezuelalookingfordifferentbeans,Iusedto
takemylittlerawironpanandwoodenspoonandgasfireandagrinder.Iusedtoaskfora
smallquantityofbeans,andI’droastinmylittlepanfor20to25minutes,andthenI’dshell
themandgrindthemmeticulouslyseveraltimesuntilIhadaveryfinepaste.AndIusedto
buytheequivalentofacream.Theycalleditcrème,whichisacreamforbeating,andIwould
makeaverysimpletrufflebyaddingalittlesugarandthecream.Anditwasaveryeasyway
ofcatchingtheflavournotes.Itfascinatedmethatsome(beans)hadacitrusflavour,anutty
flavour,asortofspicyflavournotes.Ireallythoughttomyself:Peopledon’treallyknowwhat
realchocolateis.Andthatwasthebeginningreally.
How long does it take you from start to finish to
produce a bar of chocolate?
Fromtheharvesttimetothedrybeanisperhapsa
coupleofweeks.Thentobringoverhere(England),
itwouldinvolveanothersixweeksbetweencustoms
andtravellingtime.Soyou’vegotacoupleof
months.ThenIthinkfromactualmanufacturingof
roastingthebeanstoshelling,torefiningandthen
conching,toactuallymakingitintoabar,that
wouldinvolveatleastperhapseightdays,
ninedaysmaximum.Thewholeaffairwouldbe
two,two-and-a-halfmonthsreallyfromthemoment
I’vepickedthebeaninVenezuela.
��36
You mention of limited edition chocolates. How is each batch
different and how do you achieve consistency in taste?
Iproduceonlyacoupleoftonsofchocolatesayear,sothatliterally
isallthereis.Soobviouslyoncethat’sgone,it’sgone.Ithinkthe
reallyinterestingthingaboutcacaoandwhatpeoplearebeginningto
understandisthatthedifferentstrainshavedifferentflavours,andthat
alsoisreflectedinperhapswhereit’sgrown.Likeachateauorafine
wine,you’vegottheseuniqueflavours,andtheyvaryfromhaciendato
hacienda.ButIthinkthefutureofcacaoonconnoisseursandpeople
whoreallyenjoyit,isreallytheselimitededitiontothepointwhere
perhapsit’sreallyfromnotasinglebean,butsingleestate,liketeaora
coffeewheretheflavourisknownforthehaciendathatitcomesfromor
theplantation.
You know you are in competition with confectionary giants like
Cadbury. How do you make your products stand out from the
rest?
Well,Ithinkwherewe’redifferentfromtheconfectionarygiantsis,in
fairnesstothemofcourse,isthattheyareproducingamassproduced
product.Mymachinesarecapableofroastingandprocessingsmall
batches,whereastheyhavecontinuousmachinesthatprocesstonsat
atime.Also,I’mproducingchocolatewithold-fashionedtechniques.
Forexample,I’mconchingforthreeorfourdaystoremovethevolatile
flavours.Amodernchocolatemanufacturerproducinginlargequantities
andvolumesisdoingthatconchingprocessinthreehours.Obviously
there’salossofflavouraswellinthatprocess.Bythenatureoftheway
wedoit,we’reseparated,andwecanachieveflavourprofilesthatthey
can’t.
Thereisalsothetypeofbeanused.Obviously85percentoftheworld’s
beansareforastero,whichisagoodbean.It’safast-growinghybrid.You
getahighyield,butitdoesn’thavethesameflavour,forexample,with
thecriollovarieties,thetrinitarioandtheporcelanas,andthenthesort
ofhybridsinbetweenthere,whichrepresentabout15percent.These
aremoreoftheflavouredbeansand,ofcourse,they’remuchmore
expensiveintheworldmarket.I’mfulfillingthatnichereally.Perhaps
I’mstillproducingchocolatewithapassionandmyforemostthingisto
produceaveryfinebarofchocolate.
Why do you think chocolate and its consumption is so popular?
It’sastimulant.Itgivesyouasenseofenergy.Ithinkprobablyalotof
thechocolatenowadaysit’ssadlyaboutthesugarrushthatpeopleare
getting.Butifyou’reeatinggoodchocolate,there’sdefinitelyachocolate
rush.AsIsaid,itreleasesseratonin.Goodchocolatealsocontains
theobromine,whichissomethingsimilartocaffeine.Ithinkprobably
becauseithasallthosepick-you-upqualitiesandthatstimulation.And
it’sprobablyquiteaddictive.Ithinkintruth,there’sacertainamountof
addictioninit.
What are your plans for the next five years?
Iwouldreallylovetofindsomegreatfarmsaroundtheworld,wherever
theymightbe.I’vebeenlookingatsomebeansfromBaliandJavaand
I’dliketoaddbars,whicharecalledBalineseorJavan.I’dlikethemto
benamedafterwheretheycomefrom.
I’dliketofindmorefantasticbeans,makemore,differentchocolate
bars.Itwouldbegreattohaveafamilyof20differentbarsfromaround
theworld.IthinkI’dlovetomakeamilkchocolate,butnotwith20
oddpercentcocoasolids;perhapswith40or45percentcocoasolids
becausemilkchocolateisverypopularinthiscountry.It’sjustthatI’ve
nevercomeacrossagoodone,sothatwouldbeachallenge.
What’s the best way to eat chocolate?
Well,Ithinkifyoumeanhowtofullyenjoychocolate,probablyslowly.I
thinkifyou’vegotagood,qualitychocolate,firstofall,youwanttohave
thechocolateatroomtemperature.Youshouldn’tkeepchocolatein
thefridge.Becausethecocoabutterinchocolatemeltsat37-degrees,
whichisbodytemperature,whenyouputitintoyourmouth,the
differencebetweentheroomtemperatureandyourbodyisnotsogreat,
andit’llmelteasily.
Willie’s Wonky Chocolate FactoryairsWednesday,9pmonASTROChannel707,
DiscoveryTravel&Living
after hoursWillie’sWildChocolateRide
01
��38
after hoursSoftBlueAdventure
life
styl
e
Soft Blue AdventureNew Zealand may be known as the extreme sports capital of the world, but you can just get tamely wet in the South Island.
Forsomeonewhogetsmotionsickness
fromthemerebobbingofamooreddinghy,
Iwasn’ttoothrilledattheideaofhuntinga
podofwhalesthatrequiresmetobattlethe
unpredictabilityofavastblueocean.Plus,
iftheominouswarningofthechalkboard
thatdescribedtheday’sweather–“Choppy
waters.Mayinduceseasicknessinsome.”
–wasanythingtogoby,Iwouldseriously
considerstayingonterrafirmaandwatch
anywhaleadventureonmyfavouritecable
channel.
IwasinKaikoura,astunningpeninsula
two-and-a-halfhours’drivenorthof
Christchurch,whereGodprobablytappedon
hisartisticsidetocreatethisseasidesettlement
manymillenniaago.Wheretectonicplates
collided,therenowleavestoweringpeaksthat
falltothesea,andwithinthesewaters–where
oceancurrentsconverge–theyaresorichin
nutrientsthattheyhavelongagoluredmany
marinelife,inparticulartheSpermwhale.
Rightnow,however,withtheweathernoton
myside,I’mbeginningtoquestionmysanity
andifatallIreallywantedtoseethewhale.
Alas,myhostfromtheWhaleWatchKaikoura
wouldhearnothingofit.Hewasstilltrying
toselltheideaofmeonasleekcatamaran,
thesaltywindblowingkissesinmyhair,and
pointingouttoallthe‘stars’oftheshow–a
dedicatedwallplasteredwithpastsightings
ofSpermwhales,Humpbackwhales,Orcas,
Hector’sdolphins,andHuskydolphinsthat
callKaikourahome.NotthatIdidn’ttrustmy
host.WhaleWatchKaikouraisamultiple
award-winningnaturetourismcompany
ownedandoperatedbyindigenousKiwi.
They’rereliable,withagoodprovensafety
record.Butwho’sgoingtosavemefrom
myselfwhenIpukeallovertheplace?
IncomesWingsOverWhales,acompanythat
letsmeseethewhalesfromthesky.Kaikoura,
itseems,hasplannedeverythingforeveryone.
SohereIwas,minuteslater,strappedinmy
seatinasix-seaterplane.JustasIwasgetting
comfortableinmyseat,thepilot’svoice
ranginmyheadphoneswithourfirstSperm
whalesighting.Butinsteadofone,wesaw
threeSpermwhalesblowingatthesurface
ofthewater.“Comingupfromadive,Sperm
whalesspend10minutesormoreclearingthe
lungs,blowingabreathinandoutevery12
seconds,”mypilotexplains.“Theydothisto
getridofoldcarbondioxidefromthelastdive
01 Kaikoura’sfamouscoastalline.02 TheruggedterrainsofKaikoura.03 AresidentsealspottedinKaikoura.
02
03
Kaikoura
beforeloadingupwithfreshoxygen,because
they’llbeholdingtheirbreathsforthenext45
to60minutes.”Soforthenextfewminutesor
so,theplanecircledthethreetargets,looking
forthetelltalesignthatthewhaleswereready
forthenextdeepdive.Theydidn’tdisappoint.
Soon,oneofthethreewhalesbegantotake
twohugegulpsofair,pointedherheaddown,
andraisedherflukesoutofthewatertodive.
Itwasalloverwithinseconds,butwewere
luckytospotfivemorewhalesinthenext20
minutes.Asmypilotexplainedlater,onecan
neverpredictnature,soforustoseeupto
eightwhalesinsuchshortperiodoftimewas
anextremelybigbreak.
Buoyedbymywhalewatchingexcitement,I
waseagertoexperienceNewZealand’sother
gem,theHector’sdolphin.Thedolphinis
endemictoNewZealandandisthesmallest
andrarestofalltheworld’sdolphins.Forthat,
IdrovefrommybaseinChristchurchforthe
90-minutejourneytoAkaroaonthecapital’s
eastcoast.Thedrivebroughtmethrough
scenicplainsofwinevalleysandlavender
fieldsbeforethebeautifullittletownofAkaroa
withhugeFrenchinfluenceembracedme.
Here,IjoinedtheBlackCatGroupfortheir
SwimmingwiththeDolphinsprogramme.The
excursionallowsvisitors“softencounters”
withthedolphins,aconservation-friendly
techniquethatletsthedolphintoapproach
theswimmerinitsnaturalenvironmentrather
thenthereverse.Chasingthedolphinsis
totallyprohibited,andtheBlackCatGroup
iscommittedtobeingaresponsibletourism
operatorbyobservingthesestrictmeasures.
Theyarealsothefirstcompanytogetthe
covetedGreenGlobe21,aninternational
programmetoensurebestenvironmental
practices,anddonatepartproceedsfrom
SwimmingwiththeDolphinstoresearchand
educationonHector’sdolphins.
ThecalmwatersofAkaroaHarbourwereto
meagoodomenforthetrip.Thejourneyto
theopenseawassmooth,andIhadnone
ofthatqueasyfeelinginmystomachthat
oftenturnedsuchwaterexpeditionsintoa
catastrophe.Soon,mycatamarananchored,
andIsuitedupinaspecialwetsuitthatI
nicknamed‘NoBrainer’–foritletsyoufloatin
thewaterautomatically–Imadethejumpinto
theicycoldwatersasmyguideremindedmy
groupto“makesomenoise”.Thedolphinsare
attractedtoloudsounds,andapparently,will
stayaroundyoulongersolongasthereare
noises.
Notlongintoourmedleyofmusical
cacophony,twodolphinsappearedtosay
hello.Butjustaseasilyastheyappeared,they
disappearedoncemore.Beforewecouldask
06
05
04 HectorDolphinsarethepermanentresidentofKaikoura.
05 NewZealandisblessedwithstunningnatureandscenery.
06-07 Therearemanycompaniesthatofferwhalewatchingexcursions.
08 ThewatersofKaikouraattractallkindsofmarinespecies.
04 07
40 41
after hoursYoungRider
after hoursSoftBlueAdventure
whatthematterwas,ourguidewasshoutingatustogetoutofthewaters.
Flashesofdorsalfinsslicingthewaterscutthroughmymindastheworstofmy
fearsensconceditselfjustasmyhostcriedout:“I’mnotkiddingguys—there’s
awhaleinthewaterandyouneedtogetoutquick!”Oh,okay.That’snotbad.
Still,notwantingtotamperwithfate,weallscrambledasfastaswecould
backtotheboat.ThewhaleinquestionwasaHumpback,asmyguidetold
melater.AndbecauseaHumpbackcreatesapowerfulsuctionwhenitdives,a
swimmer,whichinthiscasemeantus,caneasilybepulledbythesuctionand
drown.NotacomfortingthoughtasHumpbackscandiveupto100metresin
just10minutes,renderingalleffortstoswimtothesurfacehopeless.
Althoughdisappointedbytheshortexcursionwiththedolphins,Iwassoon
joinedbytherestofthegroupaswewatchedtheHumpback’santicsinthe
waters.Myguidetoldmethatforallhis30yearslivinginAkaroa,thiswasonly
thethirdtimehehasactuallyseenawhale
onthetrip.Wereallywereverylucky.And
thisHumpbackwasn’tdonewithusjustyet.
Asthoughmakingupforchasingawayour
dolphinfriends,thewhaledecidedtogive
abreachingdemonstration:Leapingfrom
thewater,bellyup,archingbackwards,then
plungingspectacularlybackintothewater
onitsside.AndtothinkIwantedtosettlefor
cableearlier.
08
Related Documents
