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Imagine—this is what we want you to do with our savvy investment issue. The

Caribbean is now, more than ever, the place to make your mark, to live your dreams

and enjoy every moment. And as the world continues its steady climb upwards

from the recent economic downturn, we invite you to sit back, relax and imagine

the opportunities that lie in our azure waters, rugged hills and verdant valleys.

Guided by our trusted advisors, developers and experts, we take you island

hopping and then some, showing you the best investment opportunities.

In Barbados, peek inside First Citizens Bank’s newly restored and re-designed

corporate offices, Warrens Great House—with energy-efficient and historically

sensitive interiors by iDesign Ltd. Giselle Crayston brought a quirky but sophisticated

interpretation with bold prints and colours that might be more Hollywood chic

than corporate. It is not your grandfather’s bank and it will surely enhance the

future of personal banking in the region—style included! This restoration shows

how architects, designers and developers can respect tradition while welcoming

the future.

In St Kitts, Christophe Harbour has debuted its most recent project, The

Pavilion—a sleek architectural rival to the beauty of the Kittitian natural landscape.

Developed by Bud Darby, this latest installment at Christophe Harbour is island

living rejuvenated. The Pavilion is now the island’s best place to not only be seen,

but also the best place to dream.

Close your eyes and picture this because Dominica has decided to share her

secrets. Secret Bay—a secluded eco-luxe villa complex is the best opportunity to

benefit from a project that has a clear long term vision: a permanent vacation spot

where you can get away from it all and still be at home—making it the ultimate

discovery in the pristine West Indian environment.

Finally, in our whirlwind tour, we bring you back to Barbados where Cin Cin’s Chef

Larry Rogers shares his unique story as a citizen of the world. The celebration of

flavours featured in his restaurant is the result of his renegade years spent dreaming

of one day becoming a renowned chef. His international experience and his own

life challenges are reflected in his menu, the positive attitude of his team, and the

overall live-your-best-life ambiance of the Mediterranean restaurant.

John Lennon said it best: “You may say that I’m a dreamer,” but with all our

investors here in the Caribbean “I’m not the only one.”

So, as you read, smile and ponder, remember that in the Caribbean, dreams do

come true!

editor’s note

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here’s how to keep a secretIn ReMoTe AnD RuGGeD DoMInICA, eCo-CHIC ReSoRT

on noRTHWeST CoAST IS A MeDLeY oF CHARMInG ConTRADICTIonS

WRITeR HARRIeT MASSInGBeRD

PHoToGRAPHeRS DeReK GALon AnD IMAGeS DoMInICA

IMAGIne YouR oWn PRIvATe vILLA WITH THe SeRvICeS

oF A BouTIque HoTeL. Imagine total seclusion a mere

10-minute drive from the nearest town.

Picture yourself immersed in the sights and sounds

of nature in luxurious comfort—with speedy wi-fi.

Most importantly perhaps for today’s discerning

eco-traveller, imagine if all this could be enjoyed guilt

free. Sound too good to be true?

The new resort of Secret Bay on the northwest

coast of Dominica ticks all these boxes and more.

A host of enchanting contradictions, the secluded

villa and bungalow complex is eco as well as luxury,

a development concerned with conservation, a two-

week getaway and a second home.

The island’s unique biodiversity offers a lively

backdrop to this sustainable getaway experience.

Dominica remains one of the most remote and least

well-known islands in the Caribbean and abounds

in natural wonders: waterfalls, hot springs, a huge

boiling lake, a river for each day of the year and some

of the last oceanic rainforests in the world.

on the main road just outside Portsmouth and

about an hour’s drive from both the capital Roseau

and the main airport at Marigot, a discreet sign

indicates the turning into Secret Bay. Perched on a

cliff top promontory with panoramic views of the

Caribbean Sea and rainforest-covered mountains

(decorated with the occasional rainbow), the site

juggles wild jungle with fruit trees, manicured paths

with an explosion of tropical flowers and manages to

somehow host two distinct microclimates.

A path down through the forest takes you to the

peaceful Cario River, which borders the property and

meets the sea at Tibay beach. From here you can

swim or take a kayak round the peninsula to white-

sand Secret Beach—dare yourself to paddle through

the natural rock-formed arch. The teal-green waters

are calm and warm and snorkelling gear is available

in order to explore the rich marine life and coral

reef.

The development of Secret Bay has been the lifelong

dream of Dominican hotelier and businessman Gregor

nassief, who discovered the site as a little boy and

was determined to one day own the land around it.

It took him 15 years to acquire the land with his wife,

well-known Latin American artist Sandra vivas.

LeFT Two-storey Ti-fèy Bungalow sparkling

in the forest at night

ABove Zabuco Honeymoon villa perched

on Secret Bay cliff top

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THe CoveR AnD ConTenT oF MACo

ARe FuLLY PRoTeCTeD BY CoPYRIGHT

AnD CAnnoT Be RePRoDuCeD In AnY

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one of my favourite examples of their attention

to detail is the eclectic and original DvD, book and

music library available in the properties. Rather

than just going out and buying up the odd box-set,

Gregor compiled this collection through a lengthy

survey of the couple’s international network of

friends and colleagues. I was delighted to find many

personal favourites among the extensive selection—

and wished I had the time for the Long Term Break

Package (for stays of over a month) so that I could

properly enjoy it.

The couple is genuinely committed to the

protection of Secret Bay. All properties were built by

hand by local craftsmen to avoid bringing damaging

heavy machinery onto the site and the four villas and

bungalows were carefully positioned to ensure that

a minimum number of trees was cut down. They

are working to turn the bay into a protected marine

area and also run a development fund with the

local community of Tibay— and they are, of course,

forever planting more trees (every fruit tree native to

Dominica will eventually grow on the site) as well as

a kitchen garden.

The villas and bungalows were designed by

Sandra’s father, who also, rather fortuitously,

happens to be award-winning venezuelan architect

Fruto vivas. The design is modern and sleek yet

unmistakably Caribbean. The 2,500 square foot

villas sit on approximately 6,000 square feet of land.

Typical of Fruto’s unique aesthetic and sophisticated

engineering, the one- and two-bedroom villas of

sustainably-sourced Guyanese Greenheart cantilever

out from elegant concrete stems and give the feeling

that you are floating above the emerald forest and

sparkling sea.

TYPICAL oF FRuTo’S unIque AeSTHeTIC AnD SoPHISTICATeD

enGIneeRInG, THe one- AnD TWo-BeDRooM vILLAS oF SuSTAInABLY-

SouRCeD GuYAneSe GReenHeART CAnTILeveR ouT FRoM eLeGAnT

ConCReTe STeMS AnD GIve THe FeeLInG THAT You ARe FLoATInG

ABove THe eMeRALD FoReST AnD SPARKLInG SeA

ABove LeFT Zing-Zing two-bedroom villa

nestled into forested hillside

ABove Southwest-facing view from

Zabuco Honeymoon villa

RIGHT A glimpse of secluded white-sand

Secret Beach

FAR RIGHT Kayaking through natural rock-

formed arch towards Secret Beach

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In the villas, the many windows and the bi-folding

doors between the rooms make the whole place

light and breezy—I didn’t need the air-conditioning

that is available in the bedrooms. The one-bedroom

bungalows have been nestled into the forested hillside

and floor-to-ceiling windows give the impression of a

cosy tree-house, albeit a rather smart one. villas and

bungalows have been decked out with soft linens and

state-of-the-art appliances and the bedroom furniture

was handcrafted with locally-sourced red cedar.

upon return to the Zabuco Honeymoon villa

after the day’s exploring, I always found it hard to

pick my favourite gazing-at-sunset-over-ocean spot.

Contenders included the two-person hammock

swinging in the gallery, the inviting waters of the

infinity pool and the outdoor meditation point jutting

out from the cliff edge and complete with comfy

sofas. Mind you, the freestanding bathtub with views

straight out to sea did the job pretty well too.

Cooking at Secret Bay is also a treat. The kitchen is

kitted out with enough tableware for a dinner party

of 10 and the pre-stocking service before you arrive

as well as Portsmouth market down the road means

there is all you need to create your own sumptuous

feast. However, I would recommend the personal

cook who also offers cooking classes—pick up tips

on breadfruit balls, yam pie or the ubiquitous callaloo

soup. And then there are the local restaurants to

discover— the lobster at Sunset Bay and the octopus

at the Iguana Café were among my favourites. Ask

Anna to make the bookings for you.

In fact, it is perhaps the staff who make Secret

Bay truly exceptional—a silent force whose service

is personal, discreet and thoroughly unpretentious.

From the cooling towel at the airport to flower petals

on the bed, an organic food basket filled with local

goodies and even a guiding hand (much-needed in

my case!) into the hidden sea-cave on the property,

nothing is too much—and the staff at Secret Bay had

usually thought of it before I even knew I needed it.

Indeed, Secret Bay is much more than a holiday

resort. As Gregor explained, this is a “personal dream

THe one-BeDRooM BunGALoWS HAve Been neSTLeD InTo THe FoReSTeD

HILLSIDe AnD FLooR-To-CeIL InG WInDoWS GIve THe IMPReSSIon

oF A CoSY TRee-HouSe, ALBeIT A RATHeR SMART one

LeFT Living room and gallery of Zabuco Honeymoon

villa constructed of sustainable Guyanese Greenheart

BoTToM LeFT Well-equipped kitchen of Zabuco

Honeymoon villa overlooking sea below

BoTToM RIGHT Zabuco Honeymoon villa lower deck

with infinity pool and outdoor shower

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that we wanted to share” and the couple’s vision is

to create future second homes. Additional properties

will be completed by 2014 as part of stage two of the

project but the development will remain small with

an emphasis on boutique and personalised service.

The Residences Programme offers villas and

bungalows for purchase either fully or through a

fractional ownership scheme, which allows buyers

to match use to costs. Secret Bay will manage the

rental of your property when you are not using it at

attractive rates so you can reap the rewards without

any of the hassle.

This makes purchasing at Secret Bay not only a

great financial investment but also an opportunity

to benefit from a project that has a clear long-term

vision: a permanent vacation spot where you can get

away from it all and still be at home.

Secret Bay is aptly named—it’s a place that is so

special you feel lucky for having discovered it but

you’re not quite sure you should tell too many others.

Get there quick before the word gets out.M

SeCReT BAY WILL MAnAGe THe RenTAL oF

YouR PRoPeRTY WHen You ARe noT uSInG IT

AT ATTRACTIve RATeS So You CAn ReAP

THe ReWARDS WITHouT AnY oF THe HASSLe

ABove Mapou Bungalow forest

terrace with spiral staircase

leading up to bedroom

ABove RIGHT Mapou Bungalow

bedroom with floor-to-ceiling

windows overlooking forest

and sea

RIGHT one of the bathrooms in

the two-bedroom Zing Zing villa

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How to get to Secret Bay

From the caribbean: direct flights from

Barbados, antigua and Saint Lucia (LIat); St

Martin (BVI airways) and Puerto rico (american

eagle) or catch the ferry L’express des Iles from

neighbouring Martinique or guadeloupe.

From elsewhere, you will need to catch a

connecting flight.

From the USa: american airlines to Puerto rico,

Barbados, antigua or St Martin.

From canada: westJet airlines from toronto to

Barbados or air canada to antigua, Barbados,

guadeloupe or Saint Lucia.

From the UK: British airways or Virgin atlantic to

antigua, Barbados or Saint Lucia.

From France: air France or air caraibes to

Martinique, guadeloupe or St Martin.

From germany: air condor to antigua or

Barbados.

airport pick-up and drop-off are complimentary

for stays of more than five nights; the pampering

starts the moment you get off the plane.

PLenty to do at tHe reSort

Kayaks, bicycles and snorkelling gear are

available for guests. Villas have a private pool

or jacuzzi and are equipped with a library of

books, dVds and music. daily international

newspapers on your Villa Kindle. cable tV and

high-speed wi-fi as well as a mobile phone for

use during your stay. enjoy a massage in your

villa or connect with your inner Zen with private

yoga classes (included in some of the special

packages).

and nearBy

Fort Shirley in cabrits national Park is worth

a visit–well-preserved with lovely views on

to Prince rupert Bay. great hiking in nearby

northern Forest reserve and Syndicate nature

trail (look out for the endangered Sisserou

Parrot). and a boat or kayak trip up the Indian

river (one of the spots where Pirates of the

Caribbean was filmed) is a must.

dominica’s natural diversity makes it a haven

for hikers, divers, whale, dolphin and bird-

watchers and nature-lovers. the lovely anna

can arrange tours and excursions (specialist

guide and yummy picnic optional).

otHer detaILS

recommended packages for villa and bungalow

rentals include the Honeymoon and anniversary

package and the Long term Break Package

(stays of at least a month).

For a friends’ or family reunion, rental of the

entire resort is possible (with accommodation

for up to 10 people).

no children under 12 are allowed.

top tip: the villas are also available for

purchase under a full or fractional ownership

scheme. Contact Gregor for more information:

info@secretbay.dm or +1 767 445 4444

ABove outdoor meditation spot suspended from the cliff edge

FAR LeFT Snorkelling under rock-formed arch at Secret Beach

LeFT A spot of yoga outside the hidden sea cave

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