Monthly Archives: April 2017

SkyTeam enters marine and offshore services market – Tnooz

Posted: April 17, 2017 at 1:11 pm

The SkyTeam alliance launched SkyTeam Marine and Offshore to meet the travel needs of the marine and offshore industry.

The new product will offer tailored travel solutions for seafarers and offshore workers.

SkyTeam Marine and Offshore initially will include travel on six SkyTeam members: Aeroflot, Air France, Delta, KLM, Kenya Airways and Saudia.

More airlines are set to participate in the coming months.

The carriers will offer one-way and roundtrip special fares to more than 1,000 global destinations with special conditions for baggage allowance and ticket flexibility to meet the travel needs of ship crews and offshore workers.

It is managed by IAS Global(International Airline Services), a company created in 1994 by KLM to meet the demands of increasing globalization of the marine and offshore crew travel markets.

IAS specializes in the provision of air travel for the shipping, oil and gas and alternative energy industries.

Although it initially offered its pricing and ticketing services exclusively to marine travel agents in the UK on behalf of KLM, it expanded rapidly to other European territories within a year.

It established a US presence as well, opening IASE Americas in Houston in 1995, and took over KLMs offshore oil and gas industry travel business in the same year.

It now operates three subsidiaries: IAS Europe, IAS Americas and IAS Asia. It also has a partnership with Dnatain the Middle East.

SkyTeam said working with IAS Global will ensure its product is widely available to M&O specialist travel agencies worldwide through one convenient point of contact.

The marine and offshore travel market is complex and requires highly specialized skills and a different type of service engagement than most other forms of managed travel.

The cost of downtime for a ship or an oil rig is huge, so the crews that service this machinery need to be arranged with speed and precision.

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Chinese developer to bring Xiongan frenzy to offshore investors – THE BUSINESS TIMES

Posted: at 1:11 pm

[HONG KONG] Days after plans for a new economic hub south of Beijing ignited a frenzy among mainland investors, a Chinese property company with links to the zone has unveiled plans to sell overseas bonds.

China Fortune Land Development stands to benefit from the central government's Xiongan New Area project, announced on April 1. The company said on April 6 it planned to raise US$1 billion through its first offshore bond offering.

The local government has given Fortune Land, which is based in Hebei province where the special economic zone will be built, the task of developing some 500 square kilometres of the new area, or about a quarter of the total planned size.

The bond deal may take some time to get off the ground, like the planned metropolis itself, but it has already caught the attention of potential underwriters and investors.

Fortune Land's bond offering "is probably the only chance available to gain access to Xiongan-related assets", said a Hong Kong-based credit trader at a major Chinese bank. He noted that property sales had been frozen in the area and that related stocks might already have overshot due to the frenzied investor response.

Some DCM bankers were keen to get in on the action. "We have already sent people to Hebei to approach the issuer. We definitely want to get on the deal," said a banker at a middle-sized Chinese bank.

Expectations that Xiongan will mirror the success of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and Shanghai Pudong New Area have fired up domestic investors, sending the shares of regional companies sharply higher. Fortune Land's Shanghai-listed shares rose more than 62 per cent, to 44.39 yuan, from April 1 to April 12. Last Thursday, the company, along with 13 others, requested a trading halt to evaluate the impact of the project on its business.

The new economic zone, situated around 100km south-west of Beijing, will take over some administrative functions of the capital and is expected to grow into an international hub.

Another DCM banker with a foreign bank said he would be sure to join in pitching for the mandate, but cautioned that marketing the credit to foreign investors could be challenging. "How will you tell the story to investors? It is not a conventional Chinese property developer and there is no comparable peer in the US dollar bond market," he said.

Fortune Land develops industrial new towns for local governments through public-private partnerships, whereas property companies that have tapped the offshore bond market in the past are mostly developers of commercial or residential buildings. "You can market the credit skewing towards Chinese local government vehicles, but then it is a privately owned company, not an SOE like all LGFVs," said the banker with a foreign bank.

Eye-catching equity gains and reports of property speculators flocking to the area with suitcases full of cash, are not expected to skew the pricing of the new bonds. "The issuer's credit fundamentally won't change immediately. It (Xiongan New Area) may be a market topic, but it won't affect the yield it needs to pay investors," said a Hong Kong-based DCM banker at a Chinese investment bank.

Another banker, who approached Fortune Land years ago to explore US dollar bond issues, pointed to the uncertainties surrounding the Xiongan project.

Fortune Land itself warned in a filing that the contracts it had secured with the local government were subject to policy uncertainties. "The company has not obtained any residential land in the area and thus no project development has been started," it said.

The issuer must also secure the approval of the National Development and Reform Commission, a main regulator of Chinese offshore debt, bankers said. "Every issuer desires to print offshore deals as early as possible in an environment of rising US interest rates, but the pace of issuance ultimately lies in the hands of NDRC," the banker said.

A Fortune Land investor relations officer told IFR that the offshore bond plan had not been registered with NDRC yet, which means months might pass before an actual offshore deal could be launched.

Fortune Land, rated AA+ (Dagong Global), last month privately placed 706 million yuan (S$143.2 million) securities backed against PPP projects in the domestic exchange market.

This was one of the first batch of PPP securitisations designed to attract private investment to government-led projects. A one-year senior tranche was priced at par to yield 3.90 per cent.

REUTERS

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THE HIGH SEAS AWAIT – Orlando Sentinel

Posted: at 1:11 pm

Its 17 degrees as a small crowd gathers around a bar made of ice less than a nautical mile from Port Canaveral. Wrapped in borrowed parkas, theyre enjoying Polaris cocktails, a tart blend of citron vodka, Inniskillin Icewine and lemon-lime soda, served in ice cones that chill the lips with each refreshing sip.

Their visit to the Svedka Ice Bar before setting sail contrasts frigidly with the sun and sand that await these passengers in the Caribbean Islands. Poking out from the wintery cavern, vacationers hit the sundeck and wave good-bye to land as the Norwegian Cruise Lines Epic sails south.

Atlantic Sailings

This past November, Port Canaveral widened its channel by 100 feet, which may not sound like much, but it was enough to usher in the next larger class of cruise ships, starting with the Epic. This 1,081-foot vessel began sailing from the Atlantic port to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean (Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Jamaica) in November 2016. On April 1, Epic departs for a summer season in Europe before returning to Port Canaveral on November 18 to resume seven-night Caribbean sailings.

For the cruise crowd hungry for top-notch entertainment, Epic is the ideal ship. Its onboard shows, Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, a colorful costume spectacle with Las Vegas dazzle, and Cirque Dreams and Dinner, a small-scale Cirque du Soleil-inspired performance with aerial acrobatics and gymnastic feats, promise passengers an exciting night at the theater.

The ship is also serious about happy hours, making sure youre never far from your next cocktail with 20 onboard bars and lounges. Youll find one dedicated to sake, another one specializing in whiskey, and then theres the hipsters favorite: Bliss Ultra Lounge for those who want to dance or bowl yes, it has its own bowling alley.

Passengers have a wide range of cabins from which to choose, including 128 studio staterooms catering to solo cruisers, a growing segment of the industry. The studios are economic, not just in terms of value, but also space. Although much bigger than a room in a Japanese capsule hotel, theyre somewhat similar in that the bed occupies the bulk of the floor plan. This isnt the sort of room where youd host a cocktail soiree, but thankfully, buying into this category comes with access to the Studio Lounge, where the ships entertainment team gets the party started with nightly meet-ups opportunities to find like-minded companions for upcoming shore excursions, or leave a note on the whiteboard to make other plans.

Then theres the Haven by Norwegian, a ship-within-a-ship complex. Book here and youll enjoy special butler and concierge services, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and even a private pool, sundeck and restaurant.

Gulf Sailings

From Port Tampa Bay, the biggest news is the introduction of Cuba as a port of call. Both Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line began sailing to the once-off-the-radar island, with overnight visits to Havana.

Royal Caribbean introduced four- and five-night sailings to Cubas capital this April on the Empress of the Seas one of the more intimate ships in the fleet, catering to just 1,602 passengers.

Curious travelers can explore the islands Spanish colonial architecture on a shore excursion, or book a food-centric tour to sample Cuban dishes that blend Spanish, African, Caribbean and Native American Taino influences. The local music and up-and-coming art scenes are well worth experiencing for those interested in learning more about the culture.

Onboard the Empress, Cuban flavors abound throughout the ship, starting with the warm aroma of none other than Cuban coffee. At Caf Royal passengers indulge in cups of caf con leche and cortaditos Cuban espresso shots topped with steamed milk. Restaurant menus feature Latin-themed foods representative of the island flavors.

For passengers who want to spend more time in Havana, a cruise on Carnivals Paradise offers a day and an overnight in the capital. With 12 sailings, each four- or five-night cruises, starting June 29, you can easily make a summer visit to the country.

With extra time in port, the adventurous can explore the bars of Old Havana; sip daiquiris at El Floridita, a former haunt of American writer Ernest Hemingway; and soak up the ambiance and live music at the always-lively Caf Paris. On weekends, a visit to the Vedado neighborhood, a quick cab ride from Old Havana, turns up the Fbrica de Arte Cubano. This high-energy industrial space serves as an art gallery, bar and dance hall for tourists and locals alike.

The 855-foot Paradise is known for attracting the younger generation as well as the kid-at-heart in every guest with its 115-foot-long waterslide and Seuss at Sea entertainment (Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, and Dine with the Cat in the Hat and other Dr. Seuss characters). Chefs cater to pint-sized cruisers with cartoon-worthy dishes and candy-colored pancakes.

As family cruising becomes more attractive, so has the creation of adults-only spaces. The Paradise has Serenity, a retreat where hammocks, loungers and a separate bar are designed specifically for grown-ups in search of total relaxation and quietude.

Next year Carnival will bring the Miracle to Port Tampa Bay. Seven-night Caribbean sailings start in January 2018. The 963-foot ship offers the Seuss-themed events and the adults-only areas, plus fun venues like the Cherry on Top candy store, stocked floor to ceiling with sweet treats, and pampering palaces like the Cloud 9 Spa, with aroma steam baths and a thalassotherapy pool as well as treatments from massages and facials to even acupuncture.

Future Plans

The popularity of cruise vacations and the mega-ship designs have resulted in increased numbers of passengers traveling through the terminals. Ports continue to expand and update their facilities to accommodate the traffic. So its no surprise that Port Canaveral is still in the throes of deepening their channel to allow even larger ships to travel in and out of the Central Florida port. And speculation abounds that more major cruise lines, from Celebrity Cruises to Princess Cruises, will be lining up for the next available berth.

Ready to Book Your Cruise?

Robin Souder, owner of the Orlando-based Cruise Experts International, has been booking sailings for the past 20 years. She offers her advice on not only how to plan for a cruise, but also on how to get the most for your money.

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THE HIGH SEAS AWAIT - Orlando Sentinel

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From highways to high seas | Ahmedabad News – Times of India – Times of India

Posted: at 1:11 pm

AHMEDABAD: On May 20, if everything goes according to schedule, Gujarat will take a giant step towards realizing one of the most ambitious projects the Roll-on Roll-off (Ro Ro) ferry service conceptualized decades ago. The construction of Ro-Ro terminals at Ghogha and Dahej on either side of Gulf of Khambhat is expected to be completed on this day.

This means that transporters and travellers could simply reach Ghogha port, drive their vehicles inside a Ro-Ro ferry and reach Dahej within 90 minutes flat for the onward journey after a few months. Touted to be game changer for transportation of goods and passengers between Saurashtra and south Gujarat, the ferry service will cut the distance between the two regions by helping avoid the circuitous 360 km road journey to just 31 km by sea.

However, the financial viability for the ferry operator would strongly depend on how many transporters and passengers opt to use this sea route to the conventional highways.

Though conceptualized several years ago by the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), the serious work on Ro-Ro ferry service began only in 2011 when Essar Projects Ltd was awarded the contract to build the two terminals, which required specialized engineering skills due to its complex design. "It's an engineering marvel...a new mode of transportation and a novelty for someone to experience," said Ajay Bhadoo, vice-chairman and CEO, GMB.

Over the years, the cost of building the terminals escalated to Rs 615 crore from Rs 300 crore a decade ago. But this was not the only rough weather the project faced. After several failed attempts, GMB managed to select a ferry service operator through competitive bidding.

A little known Surat-based Detox Group's firm Saurashtra Enviro Projects Ltd, which has tied up with

Seattle, US-based Black Ball Transportation Inc, was selected as the ferry operator.

Two more terminals planned in kutch, one in south gujarat

With the Ro-Ro service between Ghogha in Bhavnagar and Dahej in Bharuch on the verge of completion, the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) is exploring the possibility of similar services at three more locations in the state. "Once we are done with Ghogha-Dahej project, we are planning two more terminals in the Gulf of Kutch and one in south Gujarat. This will cover the entire Gujarat coast," said Ajay Bhadoo, CEO, GMB.

Mumbai-based consultancy firm i-Maritime has already conducted a feasibility study of locations in Gulf of Kutch.

These projects will be at greenfield locations. "However, for simple passenger ferry services, we can look at the existing ports. For example, in the northern side of Gulf of Kutch, we are looking at a fresh location. But on the southern side, we have the existing Rozi Port near Jamnagar. In south Gujarat, we have Hazira port," he added. "We are essentially targeting linkages of south Gujarat and Saurashtra because there is tremendous demand for transportation, both in terms of passengers as well as goods between the two regions," he said.

last-mile connectivity vital to project's success

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High-Seas Adventure Game, Oceanhorn, Gets Nintendo Switch Preview – COGconnected (press release)

Posted: at 1:11 pm

News update. First off, in case you were not aware, developer Cornfox & Bros is working onOceanhorn 2. But in creating the sequel to their critically acclaimed title of 2015, they laid the groundwork for porting the latter to Nintendo Switch. Since announcing the port a few months ago, theyve reached a cornerstone where they can now provide our first look atOceanhorn:Monster of the Uncharted Season handheld Nintendo Switch.

On top of being a notable tale, this game looks beautiful. Of course, publisher FGD gameswanted to showcase some of the graphics.And its the remastered PC version that was also released for PS4 and Xbox One. Furthermore, just like those releases, the Nintendo Switch version will run at 60FPS, handheld (720p) and docked (1080p). Hence, wherever you are, you get to experience a smooth-running adventure.

Oceanhorns debut on the Nintendo Switch is part of a developer trend to port many great games to the new console. That being the case, expect to find more gems to reach Switch as time goes by. As a result of more ports, we may see fewer games slip under the radar. A great thing for the gaming industry, especially since now players can take those games wherever they please.

Comment down below and let us know if youre excited forOceanhorn on Nintendo Switch. Will you pick it up? Then remember to check back for more news and updates as they come our way. Happy gaming.

Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas combines captivating storytelling, breathtaking 3D visuals and exciting gameplay into one epic action-adventure experience. In the game you explore the islands of Uncharted Seas, a world filled with many dangers, puzzles and secrets

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This pokey home may not look like much, but it comes with something special to justify its 150k price tag – The Sun

Posted: at 1:10 pm

The cramped storage unit doesn't come with enough room to swing a cat, but there's a serious upside to living here

THIS home may look humble on the inside, but theres a very good reason why it comes with a 150,000 price tag.

The cramped storage unitdoesnt haveenough room to swing a cat, but buyers will have to hand over $189,000 (150,000) to get their hands on it.

privateislandsonline.com

This may sound like a terrible deal, but the whole package seems far sweeter when you realise what else youre getting for your money.

Thats because your 150,000 doesnt just get you a tiny property it gets you an entire private island, situated in Canadas picturesque Lake Superior.

Sarrat Island is a 1.5 acre plot, complete with a campsite, storage unit, outhouse, and, of course, a charming wooden dock where you canmoor your ride.

privateislandsonline.com

privateislandsonline.com

The pine-covered slice of land is the perfect spot for a fishing enthusiast or even a moose hunter and can be accessed easily by boat.

Surrounded by idyllic woodland, the islands lucky buyer could strike out in any direction and explore Canadas natural beauty at their leisure.

Andthe island could be all yours for less than the price of a London flat, with the freehold patch offering the perfect opportunity to escape the rat race and forge a new life in the wilderness.

privateislandsonline.com

Its listed on Private Islands Online, a site where you can bag islands from all over the globe.

The listings on the site range from humble homes like this one, to vast, multi-million pound paradise islands.

Google Earth

privateislandsonline.com

This isnt the first island home to excite house hunters, after we revealed that this dream island was on the market for a whopping 2.4 million.

And if youre looking for a cheaper buy, we recently revealed how one man was raffling off his mansion for just 2 a ticket.

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This pokey home may not look like much, but it comes with something special to justify its 150k price tag - The Sun

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5 beautiful Scottish islands to rent – The Scotsman

Posted: at 1:10 pm

17:13 Monday 17 April 2017

Fancy sampling life on your own private island?

Switch off your smartphone, fall out of signal and step onto your own Scottish island for a holiday of extreme peace and natural beauty.

Here are five islands of Scotland ready to offer the perfect, tranquil getaway for those seeking the ultimate escape.

CARNA

Visitors to Carna will be given a private boat to navigate around their hideaway, a 600 acre island in Loch Sunart close to the Ardnamurchan peninsula.

There is no mobile signal, Wi-Fi or television here with the slow pace of island life the only thing to get caught up in.

READ MORE: Remote Scottish island for sale - complete with private island

Two cottages can be rented to enjoy total seclusion on an uninhabited island rich in wildlife and natural beauty.

Guests arrive on boat from Laga Bay, with a quick lesson given on arrival on how to drive your own boat during your stay. A 24-hour radio link to the mainland is offered for peace of mind.

Prices start from 1200 a week or 720 for a short break.

http://www.isleofcarna.co.uk

SANDA

Guests to Sanda will be treated to a tune from a piper as they step onto the island.

Sanda sits off the southern tip of the Mull of Kintyre with visitors taking a 40-minute boat journey from the mainland.

READ MORE: Nine abandoned islands of Scotland

Renting four cottages on Sanda, which sleep eight in total, will give your group sole run of the island for a cost of 2,000 a day.

Hours can be spent here roaming the foreshores or enjoying the bird life, with Sanda home to Scotlands fourth bird observatory.

The island was bought by Swiss property developer Michi Meier in 2010.

For those seeking a little organised activity, a day trip to Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, which is just 20 miles away can be arranged, as well as a fishing excursion from Campbeltownand a supervised whisky tasting session.

http://www.vladi-private-islands.de

TORSA

Around a mile long and half-a-mile wide, Torsa is sheltered between the Isle of Luing and Degnish Point on the mainland.

Guests access it from motorboat from Ardinamir Bay on Luing, which is a 30-minute drive and short boat crossing from Oban.

Once on Torsa, guests have the use of an Egator electric buggy to carry luggage and shopping to Torsa House, the only property on the island.

From there, the island is all yours, save for the Dolphins and porpoises in Melfort Sound. Red and roe deer and foxes roam the island, otters hunt in the shoreline kelp and seals bask on the rocks in Cuan Sound.

Buzzards and eagles may also drop by.

http://www.torsa-island.co.uk

RONAY

If it was easy to get to, it wouldnt be worth visiting, according to the brochure for Ronay.

But once you arrive here, youll have a private Hebridean retreat at your disposal.

The island is accessed by boat, which you can pick up from Kallin Harbour on North Uist. Food, drink and provisions should be bought before you leave.

A break on Ronay is all about the simple pleasures of island life. There are pristine lochs to plunge in, crags and gullies to ramble across and fish to catch.

Youll find mussels ready to be picked off rockfaces and lobsters to be potted. A kayak is also available and youll likely see porpoises on your travels.

The five-bedroom self-catering cottage has a large, modern kitchen and dining area that sits 10.

The sitting room is kitted out with books, games and a wood burning stove.

The house can be rented from 800 a week.

http://www.ronayisland.com

RONA

Rent three cottages for you and your friends on Rona and the island will be - almost - all yours.

With no shops, roads or traffic, and just one permanent residence, where the island manager and his wife life, Rona is perfect for those seeking a true getaway.

The holiday cottages have been re-built from the ruins of Dry Harbour settlement, last inhabited in the 1920s. Now kitted out with 21st century technology, the properties are powered by wind energy.

The clock will tick gloriously slow on Rona, where days can be spent beachcombing, gathering seafood, sunset watching and relaxing by a real fire.

You may also find the occasional camper on Rona, but there is enough of this island wilderness to go round.

http://www.isleofrona.com

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Maldives? Tahiti? No, this luxury island is not where you’d expect … – Stuff.co.nz

Posted: at 1:10 pm

JANE REDDY

Last updated14:26, April 11 2017

SUPPLIED

Blessed seclusion on the Song Saa Private Island.

It's the closest thing I'll get to a culinary romance.

In a crisp jungle dawn but with the promise of heat later in the day, I open the heavy wooden door of my villa to retrieve the rolled note that's been slipped between the outside handle. It's a love letter of sorts.

"'Souse day', good day from all the Song Saa Islanders.

SUPPLIED

Song Saa Island is nestled in the Koh Rang Archipelago.

"We trust that you are enjoying our little paradise and the Monk Blessing this morning.

READ MORE: *Angkor Wat in Cambodia dress code: Ban on scantily clad tourists *Kiwi woman admits breaking Buddha statue at Angkor Wat *A scary incident with stray dogs in Cambodia

"This evening we would like to invite you for dinner at our main beach area for Kampong Som ocean red snapper fillet and Island coconut creme brulee and tropical fruit compote.

"... From our island bakery you can enjoy Kamping Cham, ripe mango mousse torte, caramel palm sugar infused. With warmest wishes Chendu and Chef Sophat."

An invitation to dinner, cooked by another is a clear signal that I am away from the regular world of routine and rush that I've chosen.

The off button has been pressed, permission has been given to relax, here on this tiny island in Cambodia.

But on the journey to one of the kingdom's newest resorts it's hard to keep expectations in check.

Chatter about the Song Saa Private Island begins in the hot and dusty inland of northern Cambodia and follows me all the way south to our destination in the Koh Rang Archipelago.

In the coastal town of Kep, once dubbed the Riviera of the south, expat eyebrows raise at the resort's mention and locals grin.

The resort only five years young and the story of how Australian owners Rory Hunter and Melita Koulmandas Hunter came to build such a place on a jungle-covered island in this fledgling country appears to be better known in the kingdom than it does in their homeland (although they haven't lived in Australia for several years).

The kingdom's first true luxury resort on a private island sounds like the poster child for luxury as well as for care for the community and environment.

It sounds idyllic. A little far-fetched even.

And yet the speedboat ride from Sihanoukville port with leather seats, cool white flannels and champagne is upstaged after only a few steps on to the silkiest of sand of the private island (staff assure me that it's not imported) and a walk to the jungle villa with butterflies darting among the greenery.

The 3.5-hectare island, Koh Ouen, is just one part of Song Saa.

Wooden bridges connect it to its "sweetheart" the four-hectare nature reserve of Koh Bong, to the Vista restaurant and bar area and the over-water villas.

In an arc shape, without railings, the bridge walk to breakfast is both deliberate and giddying as schools of snapper dart back and forth in the turquoise water underneath me.

In the over-water pavilion, as oatmeal with cinnamon lemongrass and kaffir lime is served alongside tropical fruit cooled by wet stones, the putt-putt of fishing boats can be heard in the distance.

Just as intoxicating is the jungle villa No.11 with its heavy doors between bedrooms and conversation-pit lounging areas; half-moon pool overlooking its sweetheart island, outside showers, furniture of recycled fishing boats and a drinks station where fresh limes, lemongrass vodka and tonic water are refreshed each day.

Koulmandas Hunter designed almost every piece of furniture before having it custom made.

"All of the floors in the villas are old recycled housing materials from Thailand and Cambodia. The pool tiles are a local stone from the mainland and all the work stations are made from 100-plus year old Cambodian beds," she says.

If rustic sophistication were a thing, this would be it.

Be prepared too for the most elaborate turn-down service with ladders required to draw the curtains, restocking of the fridge, fluffing of the pillows and the lighting of many, many tealight candles enclosed in lanterns.

Request an in-villa movie night and you will return to a screen the width of the lounge area, movie projector and boxes of popcorn.

A private island this might be, but it is also one piece in the Song Saa story as the project director, Ben Thorne of the Song Saa Foundation, says of the first government recognised marine reserve that rings 200 metres around each island and across a five-hectare stretch of ocean.

"Fishing in the archipelago is the predominant source of food and income and nutrients for the local communities," Thorne says.

"We know that we have transient turtles come through the area and a high abundance of commercial fish species such as snapper and barracuda so the ones that are caught outside the reserve have protection in around the Song Saa islands.

"Once we've protected enough fish in our own marine reserve there will be juveniles going out beyond the waters of the marine reserve. It's about protecting and creating a legacy for the local fishermen as well as the local environment here.

"And we want guests to be able to go out and see this diverse reef, which we're proud to say we have."

To see how the foundation works, I cross the waters, not by luxury speedboat but by longtail to Song Saa's closest village in the community of Prek Svay, loosely translated as Mango River. Stilt houses line the waterways and fishing and cashew farming is a source of income.

Dotted with coconut trees, about 30 per cent of staff are from the community and the foundation runs English lessons and beach clean-ups as part of its conservation club.

Many are employed from nearby Sihanoukville and staff are gearing up for World Ocean day and mangrove planting.

I receive my Buddhist blessing from two monks and then from a small child a gift of bugs wings as I leave the village.

Back at the villa the rolled dinner invitation has arrived inviting me to the main pool area at the edge of the ocean under a canopy of twisted and thatched dried vines.

There's just one one other couple dining on a small deck in the middle of the pool, clearly marooned and loving it.

There's another 30 or so guests here, I just don't see them often.

Every night is a new dining place, from the beach club to the end of the jetty, all timed for sunset and maximum serenity.

One guest I do talk to has just arrived for a break from her heavy-duty job in industrial China for a week of spa treatments and yoga classes and I understand the repeat visitation.

This tiny island is the place for a punctuation mark of sorts. The honeymoon, the anniversary, the present to yourself.

For me it's been the shortest, sweetest romance of all time.

FIVE MORE THINGS TO DO AT SONG SAA

* Take a kayak or catamaran with picnic to explore the area.

* Snorkel around the islands to spot grouper and parrotfish.

* Hire the spa sanctuary for exclusive use under the stars.

* Join the daily morning yoga class.

* Explore Koh Bong with a conservation team member to spot kingfisher, sea eagles and Malaysian plover.

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Maldives? Tahiti? No, this luxury island is not where you'd expect ... - Stuff.co.nz

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Interview with the Danish dynamo who brought Singularity University to the Nordics: It’s a killer cocktail – Business Insider Nordic

Posted: at 1:06 pm

Singularity University, the famed think tank and tech education program in Silicon Valley, recently opened a Danish branch, marking the first major foreign expansion. SingularityU Denmark's founder and CEO Laila Pawlak sees a step-change in the regions tech and social impact on the horizon. Frankly a killer cocktail.

Shortly after announcing the world's first tech ambassadorship, Denmark landed another major milestone when, 1st of March, a new branch of Singularity University (SU) opened in the country.

SU's mission is to bridge the gap between global challenges and technological solutions.The Silicon Valley program has attracted tech executives and entrepreneurs from around the worldsome of them 150 from the Nordics.

One of them is entrepreneur Laila Pawlak, the Danish organisation's founder and CEO.Pawlak later worked as faculty in Silicon Valley before taking on the commitment to bring it to the Nordics, together with her partner,Kris Ostergaard, also a former SU faculty.

Pawlak likens the effect of the SU education with "eating the red pill" ( la Matrix), and seeing the opportunity of using technology in a whole new light.

Housed in a 5000 sqm campus, SingularityU Denmark will offer various educational and innovation programmes that combine the latest within exponential technology with future business areas.Key subjects are artificial intelligence, computing, biotech and robotics, as well as Global Grand Challenges which will be part of all programs.

While the Danish branchs intention according to Pawlak is to democratize access to the insights and activities that were previously only anchored in Silicon Valley, she points out its not going to be a copy paste of the original, with many original initiatives in the pipeline.

Pawlak, who drew on her experience founding innovation network DARE2mansion, adds that bringing SU to Denmark was an 18-month long, olympic process that wouldn't have been possible without local support in Denmark.

Theres been massive support from near and far - its really extraordinary.

So what is the true purpose of Singularity University?

We believe there are big global challenges that affect one billion people or more, and that these challenges can be solved, and provide huge opportunities for businesses.

What we focus on is these big problems that a lot of people suffer from, where business and technology can actually make an impact. We believe the best way to impact the world is leveraging exponential technologies. Thats the foundation of everything we do.

We encourage startups to think bigger, to think more impact. So that the technologies they are working with can be used in much bigger contexts.

And you are going to host startups in Copenhagen?

We already have about 200 people from a number of startups occupying our offices and more will be moving in. Weve had more than 100 startups reach out to us within the first week. And were already negotiating 2000 sqm more space.

Tell us what was your vision of bringing SU to the Nordics?

Even though we are going to be based out of Denmark, it is quite natural to think of us in terms of a Nordic SU branch. For one, weve just brought in the first eight mindblowingly awesome faculty, who have been recruited from all the Scandinavian countries.

From a Nordic perspective Im extremely excited, because weve been working on this in stealth mode for a year and a half, day and night. We played all the cards for Scandinavia that we have a lot of things going for us, the rising startup environment being one of them. Were stable countries that have come a long way to figure out a societal model that takes care of people, but at the same time is at the technological forefront; and takes care of the environment while also growing businesses.

So one of the reasons I made this my full-time commitment, and sat up night after night, is that I honestly truly believe that in the Nordics, we have the potential of showing the world how to do this in the right way. And I want to be part of making that happen.

We can show the world that we can foster prosperity and growth and happiness and positive impact, while at the same time doing it in a decent, right way. If we leverage all the strengths of our history, competences and education, and we add on top of that a strong technological insight and engagement, then were unbeatable. I genuinely believe this.

What I see in Silicon Valley is enthusiasm and optimism - hey lets try it out. And I really want to bridge that, and combine it with all of the strengths we have in the Nordics that they dont have in Silicon Valley. Then we have this killer cocktail to bring us to the next level. And we can truly be a role model to the rest of the world.

What are some of the challenges that Nordics have in doing this?

Weve kind of had an industrial way of looking at success. It is traditionally having a lot of employees in a company. But perhaps thats not the right way to measure success, maybe it should instead be how many people you positively impact.

For example, it could be a smartwatch for ADHD children to help them work from home and cope with their daily life. It might not be the best financial business ever, or have as many employees, but is that not at least equally - or an even more successful company?

The notion is that we can create companies that have a sustainable business and a lot of impact. Thats what were going to look at. I think we need to create new measures for what is a successful business.

What are some ideal outcomes from establishing SU in Denmark?

For me its all about impact. My dream scenario is startups being extremely successful impacting millions of people around the world. It is startups that met at the hub. Corporates that change their business model to positively impact people around the world. It is students being inspired to create a dream where they are technologically inspired to go out and start new businesses.

Impact is what we get measured on. Its all about that moment when people come back to you: the reason we are doing this, is because we met through this program and were inspired.

What was your own best experiences from SU?

I want to use a Matrix analogy. Participating in an SU program, its kind of taking the red pill. You see the world in a whole new light. And when you start seeing these possibilities, and understand what technology can do, then theres no going back.

I had moments when I discovered biotech. Suddenly, I had this feeling of a whole new world opening up to me. I think everybody, no matter what perspective or background they enter SU with, theres an area they dont know lot about, and suddenly all of these technologies converge. If Im in pharma, then I may be looking into AI. If Im in networks and computing I might look into biotech. I discovered all these new tech opportunities.

The second is the sense of community, of finding my tribe. I instantly felt like this is where I belong. A lot of people thought I had been crazy talking about purpose and profit, and scalable, positive impact. But when I came to SU, people just said yes, this is how we roll. Afterwards I felt committed to the responsibility of sharing that with more people.

Singularity hints at the point when robots will have surpassed human intelligence. Whats your personal view, are you afraid of robots?

I dont believe in the terminator scenario. For me its all about people.

How can we make a positive change for people? If we can leverage tech and robots to create a better life for people people that need help walking, lifting, whatever they need help with by all means, lets do it.

There are people that have an untapped potential that we dont see, because theyre doing things that robots are soon going to be able do. I dont think that potential has been fully tapped. If we play our cards right, in the Nordics and as a whole, I think we can set free that potential, and create a lot of entrepreneurships and creativity to create even more potential.

So we need to educate people to be enthusiastic about technology and understand it, so that people are not afraid of it.

So young entrepreneurs who want to get ready for the future might find something interesting at SU Denmark?

I would figure so! By the response weve had, it seems that a lot of people can strongly connect with our mission, and that makes me really proud.

And we want to make sure we target people in all levels of the organization. Many executives who have gone to SU in Silicon Valley, and try to bring their ideas home are met with resistance. We have high-level education executive level, but also at other levels.

Thank you!

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Interview with the Danish dynamo who brought Singularity University to the Nordics: It's a killer cocktail - Business Insider Nordic

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The Future of Food: To GMO or Not To GMO? – Singularity Hub – Singularity Hub

Posted: at 1:06 pm

An organic diet has never been more in style than it is right now, with millions of consumers willing to shell out extra dollars for organic foods. Most of us have a vague idea that organic is better because its more natural and free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and pesticides.

But what does natural even mean? The line is harder to draw than we may think.

Earths population has more than doubled since 1960, and the UN estimates it will reach 9.7 billion by 2050. GMOs already play a role in feeding extra mouths, and if we let it, that role may grow. Yet they are also still a source of controversy, and there are both valid concerns and misconceptions.

How different is food from GM crops as compared to food from non-GM crops?

Humans have been genetically modifying plants and animals for thousands of years. Five hundred years ago, say a farmer noticed some corn was a little sweeter. To replicate that flavor, the farmer might select those seeds for the next crop. That new trait came about by random genetic mutation, and establishing a noticeably sweeter flavor using selective breeding would take years, if not decades.

Genetic engineering does much the same thingdiscovering and introducing genes that yield desired traitsbut in a faster and more accurate way than selective breeding .

Some GM foods, likeBT crops, are engineered to contain a form of pesticide, which means they dont need to be sprayed with chemical pesticides. Eating food that produces a pesticide sounds scary, but as the video notes, pesticide doesnt always mean it is inedible or harmful to humans. Many substances harm insects or animals, but not humanscoffee is one example.

And there are examples of pesticide-resistant GMOs having a tangible positive impact on people. When eggplant farmers in Bangladesh began to get sick from using too much chemical pesticide, for example, they implemented BT and were able to reduce pesticide use by 80 percent.

Much of the backlash against GMOs is less about genetic engineering and more about the business practices of the corporations that control our food supply. GMO crops have been a money-maker for herbicide companiesand as crops have been modified to be herbicide-resistant, herbicide use increases. For companies making GMO seeds and associated herbicides, thats a lot of power over something as critical as how we feed ourselves.

And perhaps we need to be particularly careful when it comes to genetically modified anything, to thoroughly vet it for harm to humans and ecosystems. Once the genies out of the bottle, many worry we might not be able to get it back in again.

As we continue to confront and sort out the ethics of it all, however, we cant neglect the potential good that genetic engineering may bring. We might even look beyond pests and weeds in the future. Plants could be engineered to produce more nutrients to improve our diet or to be more resilient to climate change, or even to protect the environment instead of just reducing agricultures impact on it.

GMOs are part of the larger genetic engineering debate, which is only going to intensify. New techniques are getting easier, cheaper, and more precise by the year. Tech can do damage or be a force for good; the real trick is weighing risk and benefit impartially and making choices that steer us in the right direction.

Image Credit: Kurzgesagt/YouTube

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