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Kamala Beach, Phuket, Thailand
What are you working on now?
Developing a new condominium resort near Patong
on the west coast of Phuket.
Timespan in Marbella?
18 months - but it felt longer...
What brought you here?
Opening new European sales offices for our Asian
property developments – I really could
have chosen anywhere in Europe to do this but
Marbella was always my top choice and we had
a great time.
What do you think of Marbella?
I loved it! I made some great friends and had
a lot of fun. I still keep in touch with my
mates there - one of them even came to visit
me here in Thailand this year - he took back
some quality memories and an inflatable mattress
- those of you who have been here will know
what I mean…
What was your Marbella lifestyle like?
I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some
crazy evenings out at Suite,
Olivia Valere and the second row in Banus. I
spent too much and drank too much and thoroughly
enjoyed myself. I also managed to do some sailing
around Estepona and Gibraltar, which was great
fun. I was doing a fair amount of traveling with
work, which was pretty boring - but there was
never a dull moment in Marbella!
How does it compare to where you are now?
Phuket recovered fast after the tsunami - a lot
of money was spent here and things are now
growing really quickly. There are a lot of
similarities with the growth of the Marbella
area 20 years ago - we are trying hard to keep
up with demand even now - and we've only just
started. Land is becoming more expensive and
the infrastructure is racing to keep in line
with the increasing volume of development and
tourism (does that sound familiar?). Phuket
is a great place to go out and its very focused
on the tourist market - but there are still
some fabulous bars, nightclubs and restaurants
tucked away here and there for those in the
know (does that sound even more familiar?).
Your top 3 Marbella experiences/venues?
1. Pil Pil at Da Brunos in Marbella beach front
with my family
2. Walks on San Pedro beach promenade with my
dog.
3. Discussions on the meaning of life and where
to find the most beautiful girls at 3am
But not
necessarily in that order...
Least favourite thing about Marbella?
The prices. Apart from that it's one of my favourite
places!
What made you leave?
I had to oversee the completion of the sales
of my last project (www.tamarindhills.com)
here in Phuket and start my next one (www.kamalafalls.com),
which will launch next month.
Is there anything you miss about Marbella?
My house in San Pedro, my beautiful dog (who
now has new parents) and my Mercedes convertible
(I now have to drive a 4x4 to handle the roads
here in Phuket). The best this for me was being
able to enjoy the culture, the nightlife, the
skiing, the sailing, and even the shopping,
without having to travel far. There's something
for everyone within a couple of hours’ drive
of Marbella.
What is the latest news you heard from Marbella?
Joanna Dogmoch getting married (I met Joanna
through a really good friend,
Michelle Pierce, and had a few good nights out
while I was there) and the new San Pedro bypass
starting.
How often do you visit?
I had planned to go back this January but missed
my chance - I will be back again in July -
I hope!
If you were in Marbella now, what you be doing?
I'm not sure what's still open, things change
so fast, but a great day for me would be:
Morning - walking the dog down the promenade
on San Pedro Beach.
Afternoon - visiting Gib to talk with clients,
or finding new ones, looking to invest in Asian
property.
Evening - Dinner on San Pedro beach at La Taberna
Del Alabardero with my wife, meet some friends
at Cheers Bar in San Pedro, then off to Banus
for drinks and some people watching. Then maybe
Suite or Valere’s to mingle with the beautiful
people if I still had the energy (and the cash)...
Send your suggestions for Planet
Marbella candidates to
ezine@marbellas.com
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