“Paul and I try to hang out with locals rather than the tourists wherever we travel,”writes Intrepid Correspondent Vicki Terhorst. “So, when we were ready for some beach time during our recent stay in Malaysia, we headed for Pangkor Island, a west coast island popular among Malays.
“We left our hotel in nearby Taiping early in the morning, while it was still cool, to catch the first (and maybe only) bus headed toward the port town of Lumut. You can also reach Lumut on comfortable, first-class, air-conditioned buses from Kuala Lumpur or Ipoh.
“Lumut’s simple beauty convinced us to stay the night. We found a reasonable hotel, with Wi-Fi, overlooking the well-designed boardwalk park along the bay. After unpacking and checking e-mail, we ate at the hawker stalls (think food court for locals) at the bus station. I’m a vegetarian and found a traditional dish of string beans cooked with eggs and melt-in-your-mouth tofu.
“After breakfast, we took a long walk along the boardwalk to watch the birds and the bay.
“The next morning we took the smooth 30-minute ferry ride to Pangkor Island itself, where we selected the beach at Nipah Bay as our base.
“We arrived in the middle of a long weekend, and, that first day, hordes of Malays arrived every hour. Still, we had many hotel options and chose a place on the beach with a view where we were able to negotiate a weekly rate.
“Each morning began the same way. Our travel companion Jose, Paul, and I drank coffee on a large balcony we shared with a couple of other rooms. From the balcony, we listened to the gentle waves and watched the action on street and in the trees. The island is home to dozens of friendly hornbills.
“Our second morning was dead quiet. Most of the vacationing Malays had gone home, and only a few Western backpackers remained. Utter peace, quiet, and escape…nothing but beauty.
“Well, beauty and garbage. As is often the case in the Third World, if you go where the locals go, you are confronted with contrasts. In Nipah Bay, the locals left behind piles of garbage when they moved on. Worse, a major, messy boardwalk construction project extended up and down the beach and cluttered up access.
“Still, directly in front of our room and just beyond the unsightly mess, I could see the beach and, in the treetops, the birds. After two days, the ugly didn’t register anymore. It’s just what it is–the process of progress.
“Every day we spent in Nipah Bay, I’d look over my always-growing to-do list…and then I’d put it aside and turn my attention instead to the beach and the birds and the constant lullaby of the waves…”
Kathleen Peddicord www.liveandinvestoverseas.com
Utter Peace, Quiet, And Escape
Make Your Own Simple, Sweet Reality In Belize
Mick Fleming is a larger-than-life character, a Brit who, more than 30 years ago, with US$600 in his pocket, made his way to Belize City, where he met a guy in a bar who owned a piece of land in the jungle he was interested in selling. Mick bought, thinking he’d try his luck as a farmer. The farming was tough going, but, in time, Mick identified another opportunity. Travelers were beginning to find their way to this remote region. They’d happen upon Mick and ask if he had a place where they could spend the night.
Mick built a few thatched-roof cabins…then a few more…then a dining room and a bar…
I met Mick nearly a quarter-century ago, when his Chaa Creek Lodge was a humble (electricity- and hot water-free) but beautiful oasis in the rain forest. I returned as often as I could for years, but, when we traveled out to see Mick this week, I realized it’d been maybe 13 or 14 years since my last visit.
In the intervening years, Chaa Creek has grown up. Today it’s 25 luxury villas, a spa, a swimming pool, and five-star service in the still thatched-roof dining room.
“The world has changed since we saw each other last,” Mick said our first evening together. “We watch the news here each evening, and we know what’s gong on out there. It’s not that we’ve got our heads stuck in the sand. It’s that we choose a different reality.”
Here in the Cayo, it doesn’t take long for any other reality you’ve brought with you to fade. In this frontier land of rivers and rain forest, your mind and your body are occupied with challenge and discovery from sunup until you fall exhausted into your bed each evening.
At Chaa Creek, Mick and his staff (Chaa Creek employs more than 125 local Belizeans) grow their own fruits and vegetables on site, make their own furniture in their woodshop, and thatch their own roofs using techniques passed down from father to son in this part of the world for centuries.
Mick Fleming is something of a legendary character in this part of the world. But the relevant point for you is that the opportunity that Mick came to this quiet corner of the world to find three decades ago exists still. Belize’s Cayo District remains a place where a man (or a woman) can stake a claim and carve out a simple but rich and rewarding life.
Friends and colleagues at our Live and Invest in Belize Conference this week showed all in attendance especially appealing current opportunities for doing just that—for starting over, for seeking safe haven, and for making your own reality in this beautiful, English-speaking country.
Kathleen Peddicord www.liveandinvestoverseas.com
Isle of Man Bay Festival Triumphs
With the massive success of the recent Isle of Man Bay Festival, organisers have confirmed it will be back in 2011.
Over 25,000 people attended the festival over the three days, with the Sunday afternoon ‘X-Factor meets Britain’s Got Talent’ show pulling in a capacity crowd of almost 8,000 people. Based on police estimates, that is a bigger crowd than the one that descended on the prom for the busiest night of the TT entertainment.
The acts, which included a surprise performance from UK chart top-ten artist DJ Ironik, were a hit with the local crowd. Many of them expressed their desire to return to the Isle of Man, with some of them having stayed with local families during their visit.
Between the acts and the fans, the atmosphere in the ‘Valhalla’ tent – the biggest temporary venue in Europe – was electric. Even outside the tent there was a carnival atmosphere that was enjoyable for entire families, with bars, fairground rides and vendors filling the field.
The Festival organisers were ecstatic about the outcome of the event. Jonathan Irving commented: “We are delighted that the people of the Isle of Man got behind the festival and really enjoyed themselves, and we are proud that we could play a part in bringing it to them. We really want to thank everyone who was involved, from the fans and the acts to the army of staff and volunteers who made it all such a success. We would also like to thank Douglas Council for all their constructive assistance”.
As a result of its success, the organisers have already announced that the Festival will definitely return in 2011 on the weekend of the 17th, 18th and 19th of June in Nobles Park, subject to final ratification by the full Douglas Council. It has been confirmed that following on from the total success and popularity of the ‘X-Factor Meets Britain’s Got Talent’ that will make a definite reappearance again on the Sunday afternoon based on its huge popularity with fans. Due to an overwhelming demand to purchase tickets now for next year, with one couple changing the dates of their wedding to fit in next year’s festival!, tickets for the X Factor/BGT will go on sale on 6th July along with ‘Early Bird’ offers for the other shows.
Further news and updates will be available from www.bayfestival.im.
Despre noul iPhone 4G de la un fan iPhone (via Orange UK)
Da, sunt un fan iPhone. Nu pot spune exact de ce dar este telefonul meu preferat. Tocmai am pus mana pe un 4G de la Orange (UK) si l-am testat gandindu-ma la ce motive as putea avea sa nu-mi upgradez iPhone-ul meu. Modelul nou promite sa imbunatateasca fragilitatea si viata scurta a bateriei, aspecte care au fost reclamate la iPhone 3GS. Cu o grosime de 9.3 mm, noul telefon este foarte robust, avand panouri de sticla si o portiune care … pare de otel … rezistent, nu gluma. Are o optiune interesanta “Face Time video calling” pe care o pot folosi cei care cand suna au acces Wi-Fi si pot vedea cu cine vorbesc. Noul telefon iti permite sa rulezi in paralel mai mult deo aplicatie si sa treci de la una la alta in timp ce prelungesti viata bateriei. Noua camera (5 megapixeli) are flash si posibilitati de inregistrare video HD. Adevarul este ca nu prea eram multumit de pozele pe care le faceam cu iPhone-ul. Poate acum … Ecranul noului telefon (3.5 inch) are de 4 ori mai multi pixeli decat iPhone 3GS si 78% din pixelii unui iPad. Deja exista 1.500 aplicatii disponibile pentru acest telefon si o mare varietate de iBooks. Hai ca asta-i tare: are un microfon suplimentar. Oare de ce??? Iar acum vine intrebarea de final: cafea stie sa faca?
Once Crazy, Now Genius…Just Ask Brian
In the month since my new “How To Retire Overseas” book was published, I’ve been interviewed by a dozen reporters and editors intending to review the book in their respective media. A common theme has emerged:
Americans are ready to make a move. They want out. They’ve had it with health care “reform,” rising taxes, and an uncertain future. They want to find a way to hold on to the assets they’ve worked their whole lives to accumulate. More than any generation of retirees that has preceded them, they’re ready to take action to take control.
They’re even ready to retire overseas!
When I began covering this beat 25 years ago, I was a little ahead of my time. Back then, the suggestion of retiring to a foreign country was most typically met with raised eyebrows or confused silence.
Today, a quarter-century later, leaving home and hearth, loved ones (especially grandchildren) and everything familiar at this important phase of life no longer qualifies as nuts. More and more would-be retirees are recognizing the sense, even the wisdom in the idea.
Still, you might call it an outside-the-box strategy.
And, frankly, the more closely and seriously you consider your retire overseas options, the more intimidating the whole notion can seem.
I’ve been reminded lately just how daunting the idea can be not only by the reporters whose questions I’ve been answering, but also by a new friend, Brian, in Panama this month continuing his preparations for eventually moving to this country full-time.
We met Brian in February, when he joined us for our Live & Invest in Panama Conference. Brian attended the conference free, for he’d taken the step to become a Panama Circle Member. Panama Circle Members are invited to join us for every Panama event we sponsor as our guests.
Brian is a successful businessman and an independent sort with an adventuresome outlook. In other words, not the kind of guy who looks for someone to hold his hand through life. Yet Brian recognized early on in his retire-overseas thinking that, if he were going to do this, he might be wise to get help.
Brian has been in and out of our office in Panama City this past week, asking directions…enlisting help making plans to visit Taboga Island, Boquete in the mountains, and Los Islotes on the Azuero coast…consulting maps…borrowing a computer to check his e-mail. He’s become like part of our little Live and Invest Overseas community, and we’ve been enjoying his company.
Brian’s returning home to the States today, but he is making plans already for his next Panama visit next month. Panama Circle Member’s Liaison Kim Coffey will be at his disposal between now and then, to help with his return travel arrangements, to make appointments in Panama City related to processing his visa and opening a bank account, to plan further exploration throughout the country, whatever Brian needs. Our Panama City office is his Panama City office; our Personal Assistant is his Personal Assistant; our resources are his resources.
I’ve enjoyed watching Brian make use of the benefits and services of his Panama Circle membership this past week, and the experience has helped me to realize what I’d say is the biggest benefit of all of this association.
As I mentioned, Brian has been coming and going from our office, checking in from the road by cell phone, enlisting our help whenever he has a question. He’s discovering Panama on his own, finding his own way. But he’s not alone. We’ve got his back. Brian can venture off, embracing opportunities to lose his way in this country (literally and figuratively), knowing that we won’t let him go too far wrong and that, whenever he does make a wrong turn, we’re only a phone call away.
Watching Brian work to pull together the pieces of his emerging new life in Panama…and watching Kim and the others in our Panama City office support him along the way…I’m recognizing anew the value in all this.
Right now, we can offer this level of support in Panama only. But, yes, as readers write to ask regularly, our growth plan calls for developing this service in other key markets, as well. We’re moving as quickly as we can to that end.
Watch this space for further details.
Kathleen Peddicord www.liveandinvestoverseas.com
Signature, Rick Astley, The Coronas si Curiosity Killed The Cat au socializat cu fanii pe Facebook si Twitter
Campania de marketing a lui Bay Festival a avut o importanta componenta de social media care a functionat “ca focul pe un lemn uscat” si a contribuit la succesul acestei prime editii. Dimineata, Jonathan si Jamie Irving, organizatorii, ne-au anuntat ca deja au stabilit detaliile de baza pentru editia din 2011. Mai multe detalii aici. Signature, Rick Astley, The Coronas si Curiosity Killed The Cat sunt alte nume care au socializat cu fanii pe Twitter si Facebook in timpul show-ului.
Springtime In The Jurançon…French Country Living At Its Best
“Sometimes, when the sun shines, you just have to drop everything and get outside!” writes France Correspondent Lucy Culpepper.
“This morning I dropped the children at school, then set off on my road bike into the Jurançon countryside in the southwest of France. This is rolling wine country. The vine growers use traditional grapes, such as Lauzet, Petit and Grand Mansengs, and Courbu. The vines are just starting to turn from woody looking sticks to the leafy boughs that will soon bear the fruit for both the golden sweet and the dry clear green Jurançon wines.
“Wine has been grown in this area since the Roman times, but Jurançon did not become nationally famous until it was used for the baptism of King Henri IV in 1553. The infant Prince had his lips rubbed with garlic and moistened with Jurançon wine. It was said that the wine gave him ‘a vigor and ardent spirit that never left him.’
“Everywhere I explored on my bicycle this morning was bathed in the sweet smell of spring. At almost every turn there was a sign for a chambre d’hôte (bed and breakfast) or a gîte (a self-catered house or cottage), and I can easily understand why. This really is the most beautiful place to visit. Pretty villages with bakeries bursting with breads and pastries, streets lined with blossoming fruit and nut trees, towering ancient churches ringing out their bells, rivers and streams in full flow from the melting Pyrenean snow and the glorious mountains, with just a little snow hanging on, towering up in the distance.
“I took a break at a small farm offering samples of homemade goat’s cheese, a delicious nutty, creamy variety made on the farm. The owner proudly showed me his flock, grazing in the valley below. I passed on the glass of Jurançon offered, not wanting to wobble off into the distance on my two wheels.
“This is France at its best.”
Kathleen Peddicord www.liveandinvestoverseas.com
From High Stress In The UK To The Bliss Of French Country Living–One Family’s Retire Overseas Adventure
In 2006, two generations of the Mulcare family decided to leap off the work treadmill in the UK and follow their dream of living, working, and retiring in France.
Until this point, the younger generation–James Mulcare, his wife Ruth, and James’ sister Louise–were all working in full-time stressful jobs in Britain. James was a real estate asset and fund manager; Ruth was a PR consultant, and Louise was a sales manager with Mercedes Benz.
James and Louise’s parents had just retired from a successful law practice and bed-and-breakfast business. It was the older generation that launched the search for a new place for the whole family to relocate and start a new life.
They knew they wanted to be in France. But where would suit everyone? After traveling the length of the Pyrenees, they came across Cauterets; a lively all-year-round Pyrenees town with fabulous skiing in the winter and endless outdoor activities in the spring, summer, and autumn.
Today, the Mulcare family has transitioned from their stressful life in the UK to a new French country life running seven self-catering holiday apartments. Euro-Correspondent Lucy Culpepper interviewed them this week about their adventures…
LC: How long did it take the whole family to pack up and move after making the decision that Cauterets was the right place?
JM: It took us a year to leave the UK. We all had houses to sell, resignations to work out, and possessions to pack up and store.
LC: Did you make any special preparations before you moved?
JM: We all took French lessons, even Alex, my nephew, who was 5. My sister, Louise, took an accountancy course. We made several trips to Cauterets to start the procedure of registering us in France, though most of that could only be done once we had arrived and had a permanent address.
LC: Did you rent in Cauterets before you found the right property?
JM: Our parents bought a large property in Cauterets that we all moved into while we looked for properties of our own. We had made several visits to the town before moving here to get to know all the property agents and to begin the search for the property that would become our business.
LC: How long did it take to find the right properties?
JM: It took a year to find our own homes. Living in our parents’ house during this time was challenging, as we were all used to our own lifestyles. My search was particularly urgent; my wife Ruth gave birth to our first child one week after moving into our own home!
LC: And the business property? How did you find that?
JM: It was a long search, resulting in a very good knowledge of all the property agents in Cauterets and visits to many sites. But we knew what we wanted so we kept looking until we found the property that fit all our criteria.
LC: Did you have to do much work on the property?
JM: It was a massive renovation project that included the complete transformation of the internal layout, full re-wiring, new plumbing, and redecoration. We completely transformed the building from a dilapidated 19th-century bakery to six self-catering apartments and a Welcome Room. Each apartment, except the studio, has its own terrace overlooking the Gave de Cauterets River. We also bought and completely renovated an apartment in the building next door to us.
LC: Were you involved with the renovations or did you manage from a distance?
JM: I was on site, project managing, every day. We were working with a diverse range of artisans who needed day-to-day directing to keep to the design and time schedule. I also did a lot of work myself.
LC: How would you describe the result?
JM: We now have seven stylish apartments (LC: they really are very stylish!). They are decorated in a contemporary style, but we have maintained the original character of the building, including the original bread ovens in the Welcome Room.
LC: How have you found setting up a business in France?
JM: There’s a lot of paperwork in this country, so having good relationships with your bank and your accountant is crucial. We found a fantastic banking advisor in the town who helped set up all the financial side of the business. She introduced us to an accountant, who also speaks English (though we speak to him in French now!). He set up the correct business structure for us.
LC: Apart from the famous paperwork, what else is different about doing business in France?
JM: We have found that everything takes longer than at home. This is understandable, as we’ve been dealing with a new system in a new language. Finding good contacts and building a rapport with the local community has been essential. The business culture is very different. E-mail is not the norm; faxing still rules in certain areas! Pre-planning has been critical, as many items for the building renovation were not kept in stock.
LC: Do you feel you have integrated and been accepted in the community?
JM: Everyone here in Cauterets has been friendly and welcoming. At the beginning, our language skills were basic. We took weekly conversation classes and tried to speak French to the locals instead of relying on their English. Having my nephew at the local school was a great way of meeting people, and now we have our 2-year-old in the local crèche – that has really helped us become part of the community. Louise, my sister, went one step further and married a Frenchman from a town nearby – that has really improved her French skills!
LC: What are the main benefits of living in France?
JM: The elusive work-life balance is more attainable here. Although we have swapped some problems and challenges from the UK for new ones in France, overall the pros vastly outweigh the cons. The lifestyle in Cauterets is based around the mountains. The life of a claustrophobic London office job has long disappeared. Our passions and hobbies, like skiing and trekking, have now become our work. More emphasis is placed on family life and outdoor activities; the pace of life is much slower here than in the UK, where everything is open for business seven days a week all day long.
LC: What’s your typical workday?
JM: I run the day-to-day business with Louise. She works in the mornings on accounts, reservations, and admin and is then free to collect her son from school (something she wasn’t able to do as a sales manager for Mercedes Benz).
I work in the afternoons also on reservations, inquiries, and arranging activities for our guests. Every day, from 4 to 6 p.m., I serve locally baked cakes, tea, and coffee to our guests in the Welcome Room. It’s the perfect time to chat and socialize and help our guests make the most of their vacation.
LC: Do you miss anything about your life in the UK?
JM: Marmite and a proper pint of beer! We also miss friends and family and the ease of conversation and comprehension.
LC: Has Cauterets lived up to your family’s expectations?
JM: We enjoy every season here. In winter, the skiing is in full swing, and the mountains become a winter wonderland. In spring, the lower valleys open up for walking. There are beautiful mountain flowers, spectacular waterfalls, and white-water rafting. In summer, the long spells of glorious weather allow us to make the most of all the outdoor sports and the fantastic hiking in the National Park. Then, in autumn, it’s cooler but warm enough to camp and go on long quiet treks.
It’s a year-round playground, which is great for business.
You can see what the Mulcare family has built at: http://www.mulcares.com.
Kathleen Peddicord www.liveandinvestoverseas.com
How To Earn Guaranteed Yields Of Up To 22% Per Year…
Last month, I alerted you to an opportunity to invest in the Founder’s Guild memberships being made available at Carmelita in Belize. This was an appealing opportunity, evidenced by the fact that the developer at Carmelita, friend Phil Hahn, has closed out all the packages available (to Live and Invest Overseas Marketwatch members).
The interest in these investment packages was so great that Phil has decided to make additional packages available. Specifically, Phil has launched four additional US$50,000 packages this week.
In addition, he has created a new level of investment opportunity and is making four US$75,000 packages available, as well.
The US$50K package offer remains the same. Each investor receives two lots–one garden and one estate lot. The total current discounted value of the lots is US$52,000. This is slightly more than the amount of the investment, meaning you have back the value of your investment immediately.
In addition, each investor will be repaid his capital from initial retail lot sales.
The formula for the repayments is straightforward. Founder’s Guild members will receive, as a group, 50% of the net revenue from developer lot sales. Net revenue refers to revenue after discounts and sales commissions. The funds will be distributed quarterly to members on a pro-rated basis based on investment amount.
It’s a fairly secure investment. You get titled lots worth your initial investment up front, and you get your cash back over time. The developer projects the cash repayments will be complete within three years.
In other words, you double your money in three years.
The new US$75K packages also include two lots–one village lot with a discounted value of US$24,000 and one river village lot with a discounted value of US$52,000. For, again, a combined value of slightly more than the amount of your investment.
In my report on Carmelita last month, I explained that Phil’s plan for this riverfront development in the Cayo District of Belize is a sustainable community. Each house will be on solar power. The community will have gardens for growing residents’ own food. Houses will be built using local materials, including the beautiful Belizean hardwoods.
The first round of Founder’s Guild memberships went quickly. And Phil will be presenting these packages to attendees at our Live and Invest in Belize Conference next week.
I don’t expect these eight packages to be available very long.
This is an opportunity for a great return (the projected annualized ROI here is 24% if you sell your lots within three years at the discounted retail values I’ve quoted here) for a relatively low risk.
Lief Simon www.liveandinvestoverseas.com
Life As Art–Retirement In The Enchanted Land Of Bali
“From the comfort of your veranda,” writes Asia Correspondent Wendy Justice, “you can see the people of the neighboring village tending to the irrigated paddies of bright-green rice. A gentle breeze making its way down from the distant mountains softly touches into life the shimmering greens of a hundred species of plant life.
“You eye the ducks swimming in the irrigation canals and tilt your ear slightly toward the sounds of happy laughter, and other-worldly gamelan music softly carries from the banjar community hall in the distance.
“Taking a deep breath, you sigh with contentment. The scent of flowers surrounds you, and a wisp of incense floats your way from the canang sari offering baskets that your housekeeper has carefully and reverently placed to invite balance and harmony into your home.
“This place is called the ‘Enchanted Land,’ and, once you’ve seen it, you’ll understand why. Despite its small size, this island packs in everything you expect of paradise, from coral reefs to the jungle-clad slopes of mighty mountains complete with tribes of naughty monkeys. Here, amid the most gracious and hospitable of people, you could live well for as little as US$1,500 a month.
“Yes, this is one of the most charming and affordable havens on earth.
“I’m speaking of the island of Bali, Indonesia.
“If you’re in search of an exotic but welcoming retirement haven on a fixed income or a modest budget, Bali offers a fine quality of life that could be just what you’re looking for.
“If you have a slightly bigger retirement budget, you’ll find that you could live substantially better in Bali than you could most other places in the world today.
“Certainly other overseas retirement havens offer more Western-style comforts and amenities, and, yes, some places qualify as more affordable retirement options than Bali.
“But I’d say that perhaps no other place on earth offers more stunning beauty, gracious hospitality, or diversity of cultural and outdoor activities than this little island.
“Fantastic festivals, mysterious jungles, and exotic foods are just some of the treats in store for the adventuresome retiree who seeks out these shores.
“Of course, you aren’t going to pack up and move to Bali without first experiencing life on this island firsthand. Most people initially head to Bali with a tourist visa and experience the area for a month or two before making a full commitment for permanent retirement…and I heartily endorse the strategy.
“Thinking longer term, Bali is a great place to consider for part-time retirement overseas, spending maybe half a year or so on the island and the remainder of the year elsewhere.
“Although it’s not for everybody, thousands of foreigners have come to Bali for a visit and then decided to make it their home. Even if you aren’t up for a retirement move this exotic, there’s no denying that this is one of the most beautiful spots on earth.”
Kathleen Peddicord www.liveandinvestoverseas.com
