Refreshing Fridays: Relax with an African Lullaby
Friday, December 4th, 2009After a hard week, sometimes you just want to lay back, relax and get comfy. This Friday, take it easy with an African Lullaby cocktail.
Africa is the world’s second largest and second most populated content full of just over a billion beautiful people and amazing natural scenic landscapes. Home to the Marula Tree, which grows wild in the Savannah and attracts many animals (including elephants),this tree produces delicious fruits of which the pulp is used in making the famous Amarula Cream liqueur, a flagship liqueur of South Africa and key ingredient to the African Lullaby cocktail.
How to make your own African Lullaby:
-2 oz Amarula Cream Liqueur
-1/2 oz Coconut milk
-4 oz Milk
-A dash of nutmeg
In a blender combine all ingredients with crushed ice. Pour into a nutmeg rimmed cocktail glass and serve. If you like, garnish with a cherry.
Where you can find a great African Lullaby:
The Grand Mauritian, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa:
Spread out over ten hectares, bordered by the reef and nestled between a natural marine park and lush sugar cane fields is The Grand Mauritian on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Inspired by traditional Mauritian architecture this luxury resort captures the essence of luxury and privacy that is at the heart of your stay.
Maia Luxury Resort and Spa:
Known as one of the best resorts in Seychelles, Maia Luxury Resort and Spa is situated on a magnificent secluded beach amongst swaying palms and lush tropical boundaries. From award winning gardens, fine cuisine, a fabulous spa and activities such as snorkeling and kayaking can all be experienced here at this luxury resort.
One&Only Cape Town:
Only moments away from the famous Table Mountain, One&Only Cape Town is a contemporary resort embodying a chic island design with and African flair. Central to exciting nightlife and entertainment, this is an ideal gateway to the uniquely rare adventures of South Africa such as wildlife safaris, wine country excursions and endless water play along pristine beaches.
Morukuru Family:
Located along the river’s edge in the Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa, Morukuru Family is a lodge that walks the fine line between untamed nature, and unabashed luxury. This intimate luxury lodge is a perfect starting point to connect with nature in all its forms.
Naoura Barriere:
Naoura Barriere spreads out over nearly five acres and set in a magnificent oriental garden full of ornate white flowers in the heart of Marrakech, Morocco. Each of the luxurious suites here comes with a private butler, a large terrace and superb views of their garden. And after a long day in this exotic city relax and recharge at their U-Spa offering two hammams, and the only aquatic course in Marrakech.
Adrere Amellal:
This luxury desert eco lodge is a timeless escape to ancient Egypt in Siwa. Adrere Amellal invites you to leave the modern world behind. Each room is truly unique, built by hand and blends into the surrounding landscape. With no electricity, evenings are softly lit up with beeswax candles and the starry desert sky.
Asara Wine Estate & Hotel:
Asara Wine Estate & Hotel is set in the heart of South Africa’s Stellenbosch wine lands. If you have a passion for food and wine this is the perfect place to indulge at one of their three gourmet restaurants. Have a fabulous glass of their award winning wine! And when you book exclusively though Kiwi Collection you’ll get our special Kiwi Rate which includes a complementary bottle from this fabulous estate.
Mchenja Bush Camp:
Combining the true safari experience with ultimate luxury is the Mchenja Bush Camp in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Set beneath a magnificent grove along Luangwa River, with individual safari holidays tailored to meet your every need. For those of you looking for an amazing experience in the African wilderness, Mchenja Bush Camp is your place.
The Marine Hermanus:
Perched on top of the cliffs at Hermanus, in South Africa with one of the southern hemisphere’s most spectacular seascapes is where you can find The Marine Hermanus. Featuring 42 individually decorated rooms and suites, each has extraordinary views across Walker Bay or the beautiful internal courtyard.
Sheraton Addis:
Standing opposite the National Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia the Sheraton Addis represents African elegance and impeccable service. Each window at this luxury hotel offers fabulous views of the surrounding country side and of the Entoto Mountains in the background.
Regent Beijing: 
Tivoli Victoria:
Jumeirah Essex House:
Sivory Punta Cana:
Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver: 
Madinat Jumeirah:
Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago:
Outrigger Serenity Terraces Resort Phuket:
The Standard, New York:
Tribe – The Village Market Hotel:
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From October 1 to October 4, 2009, guests will receive a lavish buffet breakfast, airport transfer, VAT and service charge all along the most pristine beach in Djibouti. At night, guests can party it up to great tracks from DJ Constantino. The package costs $150 per night.
About 16 local models displayed designs from four world-class designers: Kondakis, Kooroo, Zebu and Penny Winter. About 100 fashion enthusiasts were in attendance.
The third property we stayed in was the Banyan Tree. Like Maia, the Banyan Tree is located on 
Our experience started at the entry to the 
Our villa was lovely. It consisted of four main areas: the lounging/dining pavilion and deck, incorporating the plunge pool; the bedroom/bathroom; the sun lounging deck (with a two person Jacuzzi); and the spa pavilion. Each area had fabulous, picture postcard views. The beach, the ocean, and the surrounding hillside consisted of vibrant greens, blues and whites framing the hotel villas and main building.
Unfortunately, due to our schedule we were only able to stay at the Banyan Tree for two nights, but we still had a fantastic experience. The first day we relaxed in our hillside villa and had dinner in the Thai restaurant. The second day we stayed in our villa and took a trip down to the beach, sat on towels provided by the pool staff, and watched the ebb and flow of the tides. We stayed there until it was time for dinner, which we had in our own private villa. On the last day, we stayed in our villa – there really was no reason to leave and as we were hoping time would forget us and we could stay forever.
When we did leave the Banyan Tree, it was again in one of their private cars. Again the driver was professional, relaxed, and shared interesting anecdotes about the local environment. When we got to the airport, the driver even found a trolley for our bags and escorted us to the correct check-in counter. I have rarely been so sad to leave somewhere at the end of a holiday.
The second property we stayed in was 
Once we arrived at Maia we were greeted at the entrance and whisked by buggy up to our beautiful hillside villa, where our butler was waiting for us. Welcome drinks, fruit platter, etc., were all part of the plan, and executed perfectly. We hardly even noticed when our butler Salim asked us for our credit card to cover “incidentals”.
The villas are amazing. They consist of five areas: a small lounging/dining pavilion with the butler’s bar, the bedroom, the main bathroom and toilet, the plunge pool, and the dipping pool/outdoor bath. The buildings are solid concrete, with tall thatched ceilings that give them a Balinese feel. But the real trump card here is the quality of all the modern conveniences; the fittings and fixtures in the rooms. iPod docks, built in Bose speakers, Sony flat-screen TVs, a sound system that pipes music to all areas of the villa, Nespresso coffee makers – the list could go on forever. The rooms are extremely comfortable. The beds are possibly the most comfortable beds we have ever experienced in a hotel or resort; the sheets are a delight, and the goose down duvets are light and fluffy. The toiletries in the bathroom are La Prairie, which my wife couldn’t get enough of – their body lotion was fantastic.
Maia provided us with a series of pleasant surprises throughout our stay, beginning when we entered our villa (a Signature Villa overlooking the ocean and the mainland) and we were struck by two key things. The view, which was spectacular, and the plunge pool (~ 8 meters x 4 meters), which really drew us in with its azure blue promise of cooling comfort.
On one day we took a tour of the island by car. We had a driver, and of course our trusty butler along for the ride. We went up Mount Josephine and had magnificent views of Mahé, the other islands, and the ocean. We stopped at Beau Vallon on the beach for a delightful picnic, laid out by our butler, and then we returned to the property for dinner.
The first property we visited was 
Upon first impression the island was larger, greener, and more lush (this is becoming a theme!) than we had expected. It was no surprise to learn that North Island runs an environmental conservation program, which is heavily involved in bringing back endemic species of plant and animal to the island. North Island is a private island, with 11 guest villas supported by ~130 staff. The experience visitors have on North Island is truly a “super” Robinson Crusoe experience: all the pleasure of a beautiful island with few others, combined with all the modern conveniences you would come to expect in a modern city hotel – there was nothing missing!
Our villa was perfect. It consisted of six areas covering a total of 450 square meters. Only two of the areas were fully enclosed: the master bedroom, and the guest bedroom/study. The other areas consisted of the master bathroom, the guest bathroom, the main living area (including a kitchen), and the main deck with the lounges and plunge pool. The décor could be described as rustic chic and is perfectly in keeping with the setting and the feel of the property. All the furniture was old but nicely weather worn, and the soft furnishings were fresh and looked completely new (a real feat given that they are exposed to the elements 24 hours a day, 365 days a year).
The first thing that struck both my wife and me was how private the villa seemed. This sense of privacy was to be reinforced throughout our stay on North Island. That is, everything about the island speaks of luxury, exclusivity, and privacy. Although all villas were full (occupied) we really felt as if we were almost the only people on the island. We hardly ever saw anybody other than the staff. One of the staff described working on North Island perfectly, “It’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle.”
The sense of freedom we experienced was exhilarating. Since everything was taken care of by the Guest Relations team and our butler, we had nothing to concern us other than relaxing and doing the things we wanted to do. On the first day we did nothing other than stay in our villa, relax, and explore the island. On the second day we also stayed in our villa and explored the island. On the third day we took scuba diving lessons and went out snorkelling in one of the two boats they have on the Island. On the fourth day we relaxed by the main pool, followed by a private barbeque on Sunset Beach. On the fifth day we had a picnic on Honeymoon Beach, and on the sixth day we went to the spa on the hillside overlooking the Indian Ocean. Like so many other aspects of North Island, it left us speechless.
