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The St Raphael Resort & Marina Magazine | ISSUE 9 | 2019<br />

TASTE | DREAM | ENJOY<br />

IN THIS EDITION<br />

Experience Thailand | 4 Tips to plan a Mindful Wedding | Spa News | Top Tips<br />

and more...


Inside<br />

5 Dear Valued Guests,<br />

Visitors, Friends,<br />

Hotel and Marina<br />

Members...<br />

Welcome message from our<br />

Managing Director<br />

6 Dream, Believe, Do!<br />

Welcome message from our<br />

8<br />

General Manager<br />

8 Experience Thailand<br />

The birth and journey of our own<br />

14<br />

unique Thai Restaurant.<br />

The Golden Monkey<br />

14 The Tower at<br />

St Raphael Resort<br />

and Marina<br />

One of the most sought after<br />

addresses... here’s the why?<br />

20 Leasing of Pleasure<br />

Yachts<br />

Cyprus vat rules<br />

24<br />

24 4 Tips to Plan<br />

a Mindful Wedding<br />

28<br />

28 Witnessing<br />

The Transformative<br />

Power of Education<br />

30 Top Tips<br />

For our little friends<br />

34 Trending in Fashion<br />

36 Has Modern Life<br />

Ruined Your Attention<br />

Span?<br />

38 Serenity Spa<br />

News<br />

40<br />

40 The Benefits<br />

of Massage<br />

43<br />

43 What the Vegan<br />

is Going on?<br />

A Healthy story<br />

50 The rise of the<br />

Lifestyle Entrepreneur<br />

in the Global Economy<br />

56 Our Employees of<br />

the Year 2018<br />

Copyright © 2019 St Raphael Resort & Marina<br />

All materials within this magazine are protected by copyright.<br />

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publishers<br />

permission. Whilst the greatest care has been taken to<br />

ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication at<br />

the time of going to press, neither the Design Direction nor<br />

the St. Raphael Resort can accept responsibility for any errors<br />

or omissions. The magazine title “<strong>Seahorse</strong>” is copyright of the<br />

St. Raphael Resort & Marina.<br />

P.O. Box 51064, 3594 Limassol, Cyprus<br />

E-mail: info@straphael.com<br />

Tel: (+357) 25 834 200<br />

Fax: (+357) 25 636 394<br />

Design Direction: D-Zine Visual Arts<br />

Printed by: Laser Graphics Ltd<br />

www.straphael.com<br />

3


Dear Valued Guests,<br />

Visitors, Friends,<br />

Hotel and Marina Members...<br />

It is perhaps one of the most exciting years in St Raphael Resort and Marina’s history, and<br />

certainly in my career, where we present you the new, upgraded and finely tuned, not to<br />

mention rebranded, St Raphael Resort and Marina. This has been years in planning, taking<br />

over three years to complete and costing over ten million euros. Every details of the<br />

Resort has been planned to provide you with the ultimate in luxury, never losing our homely<br />

feeling, and all at our aim of affordable luxury. Our dining experiences have been upgraded<br />

and new recipes developed to match the new concepts of each individual restaurant.<br />

Our All Inclusive Package has been enhanced to offer the best in terms of quality, service,<br />

options and activities.<br />

This year we also welcome our fabulous Tower to our portfolio, featuring seventeen<br />

stunning apartments, most of which have already been sold to wonderful new friends,<br />

and also have some apartments available for short term rentals for anyone seeking the<br />

ultimate in hotel apartment luxury. The Tower is a unique high rise in so many respects,<br />

but the main distinctive features are not only the stunning views over the St Raphael Resort<br />

private marina, but also the roof top gym, infinity pool, relax area, The Golden Monkey Thai<br />

Restaurant and all our hotel facilities connected with the apartments.<br />

At St Raphael Resort and Marina, we have always believed in giving back to the local<br />

community, but this year have taken our sustainability model one step further. We have<br />

ceased using one time use plastic items such as straws, cups and takeaway materials,<br />

instead purchasing paper straws and eco friendly materials for all outlets, not only<br />

Seashells Healthy Living, which is the first fully vegan restaurant in any hotel in Cyprus and<br />

the first beach vegan restaurant in Limassol. We also are carefully selecting all goods and<br />

purchases to try to reduce our footprint to the best of our capability.<br />

Experience exquisite fine dining<br />

delights and tastes<br />

Situated in the unique location in the heart<br />

of the St Raphael Marina, the award winning restaurant<br />

serves an array of à la carte gourmet dining options<br />

with fresh fish, meats, salads and pasta, not to mention<br />

mouth-watering desserts and ice-creams that are<br />

available throughout the day.<br />

We have new award winning, sustainable and natural products in our award winning<br />

Serenity Spa as well as the first eco-friendly gym on the island, sourcing equipment that<br />

literally turns your exercise into electricity. Our buffets have also been enhanced to include<br />

less allergens, and offer a wider choice of food types from around the globe including<br />

healthier options suitable for all palates. Furthermore our chefs, after extensive training<br />

and research, have also been nominated to teach and share recipes on national television.<br />

Despite all the money and effort spent on our super new rooms and public areas, our staff<br />

remain and always will be the main source of our pride. We are family owned property, and<br />

I like to think of all our team as one larger family, all with the same aim of welcoming all our<br />

guests into the St Raphael family and making everyone feel at home. We remain forever<br />

proud that we have members of team who have been with us for over thirty, over twenty<br />

and a huge majority over ten years. We know you will always see familiar faces when<br />

returning to our hotel and marina, and in turn we hugely value all our repeat clients and<br />

marina members, whose support, feedback and positive wishes we could not do without.<br />

Enjoy your stay, visit, time or holiday with us, and I will always be happy to hear from each<br />

and every one of you.<br />

My best personal wishes,<br />

Farah Shammas<br />

Managing Director<br />

St Raphael Resort and Marina<br />

#farahshammas<br />

FOR RESERVATIONS: +357 25 834 242 | FAX: +357 25 636 394 | E-MAIL: SAILORS@STRAPHAEL.COM<br />

502 LEOFOROS AMATHOUNTOS, 4520 PYRGOS, P.O. BOX 51064, 3594, LIMASSOL, CYPRUS<br />

WWW. STRAPHAEL.COM<br />

5


Dream,<br />

Believe,<br />

Do!<br />

We have reopened our doors after being closed for 4 months, and after<br />

concluding the final phase of our three-year renovation programme.<br />

The final part of this journey included completing all remaining rooms of<br />

the main building, the redesign of the Captain’s bar interior, Lobby area,<br />

Reception, Landscaping and a new outdoor elevator, just to mention a few<br />

of the novelties that you should expect to experience during your stay with<br />

us. It is therefore our great pleasure in welcoming you to our Hotel this year,<br />

being both excited and proud of the results of our renovation programme,<br />

which we have diligently and meticulously carried out.<br />

The rooms of the main building have been totally revamped to meet the<br />

need of the contemporary traveller, be it a single, couple or family. The<br />

bathrooms have a fresher brighter look, the bedrooms give a modern yet<br />

functional feel, allowing our guests to enjoy their stay with us to the fullest.<br />

All in-room accessories have also been carefully selected to match comfort<br />

and functionality. Lush bath towels, fine bed linen, luxurious bathroom<br />

amenities all contribute towards your in-room experience.<br />

Our Captains Bar is where the heart of our hotel beats. Perfect sunsets,<br />

exquisite cocktails, superb snacks and impeccable service constitute the<br />

perfect bar experience. Our talented interior designers have perfected the<br />

area of our Bar, lending the Bar’s interior an Art Nouveau air. Just the place<br />

to spend your evenings at the tunes of our talented musicians!<br />

To help guests with young children, special abilities and our elderly visitors,<br />

we have positioned an outdoor elevator to cover the areas of Captain’s<br />

terrace and Deck, Octagon Restaurant and Amphibion Pool area. No more<br />

juggling with the kid’s stroller, the beach towels and holding your children<br />

when going down to the Pool or beach, just pack them all in the elevator,<br />

and enjoy the ride.<br />

We have many small and pleasant surprises awaiting you whilst on holiday<br />

at the St Raphael, which I hope you will discover and enjoy. I feel though<br />

that it is important to share with you two passions that we are continuously<br />

nourishing at our hotel. Our commitment in continuously developing our<br />

staff and upgrading their professional skills, and towards the wellbeing<br />

of our environment, in finding ways of reducing our carbon footprint,<br />

increasing the number of Vegan dishes, minimising the usage of non-organic<br />

plastic, maximising our recyclable refuse and reducing our power consumption.<br />

With this in mind, allow me to wish you and your loved ones, happy holidays<br />

at the St Raphael, and I hope that you will enjoy our changes as much as we<br />

had in creating them.<br />

May you have a most enjoyable stay with us,<br />

whatever the occasion of your visit.<br />

Demetris Demetriou, MA<br />

General Manager<br />

6


EXPERIENCE<br />

THAILAND<br />

The birth and journey<br />

of our own unique Thai Restaurant,<br />

The Golden Monkey<br />

As soon as we made our plans for The Tower and<br />

designed a space for a stunning speciality restaurant,<br />

the guesses and suggestions were on. Some believed<br />

we should reopen ‘The Phoenician’ with a new way,<br />

incorporating modern Lebanese food with traditional,<br />

some were voting for Italian, others mentioned for<br />

fashionable trends like Peruvian or Sushi. However,<br />

for us personally, there was never any doubt that<br />

it had to be Thai. A cuisine like no other, yet suiting<br />

so many tastes, Thai can be the most delicious, also<br />

upmarket, Asian food around. Not to mention that<br />

we do not have a fine dining Thai in Limassol, even<br />

Cyprus. As first we thought of franchises, but then<br />

written by<br />

Farah Shammas<br />

Managing Director<br />

St Raphael Resort and Marina<br />

#farahshammas<br />

All photos in this article are taken by<br />

our Executive Chef, Elias Elia<br />

found no one who could love our project with the<br />

same enthusiasm that we do. And this, dear readers,<br />

is how one autumn day, The Golden Monkey was<br />

born… in theory.<br />

8 9


Why the<br />

name?<br />

Well, as some may realise, most of our<br />

family’s logos have animals – a cat, a<br />

seahorse, a butterfly… Not only that, but the<br />

Tower logo itself was designed as golden<br />

lettering on black and we wanted to follow<br />

the same feel. When looking into meanings<br />

and good luck metaphors in Thai, we<br />

discovered the beautiful Golden Monkey<br />

lily flower, and so the playful monkey<br />

image immediately began to take shape<br />

into a flower instead. Both these images,<br />

both representing good fortune, can be seen<br />

all over the restaurant in the design and<br />

accessories.<br />

It seemed only natural to want the best<br />

interior designer we could find for such a<br />

project, and one that could also visit weekly<br />

to be on top of all details, and hence we<br />

chose to work with the famous architecture<br />

and design company in Lebanon, Nabil A.<br />

Azar Architects, and none other than the<br />

founder’s son, Mr Fawzi Azar. After the<br />

concept had been finalized, a trip to<br />

Thailand was organised, where we not<br />

only had the chance to sample some of<br />

Thailand’s best food, but more importantly<br />

choose integral features of the interior<br />

design and accessories to fit the luxurious<br />

heights of our concept.<br />

A cuisine like<br />

no other, yet<br />

suiting so<br />

many tastes<br />

10 11


Of course, the most important part of any<br />

restaurant is the food, and we at St Raphael<br />

Resort are so lucky to have some super<br />

talented young (and old!) members of our<br />

team keen to learn more. So, a one month<br />

intensive Thai cooking trip was organised<br />

for our Executive Chef and three of his<br />

best staff. This intensive course covered<br />

starters, mains, desserts and more, and<br />

also gave some time to everyone to really<br />

have a feel for the country they would be<br />

representing in their cooking.<br />

...the most<br />

important<br />

part of any<br />

restaurant is<br />

the food...<br />

Our Head Chef is of course from Thailand<br />

itself, with many years of gourmet Thai<br />

food experience and our menu is carefully<br />

prepared to select the best of Thailand’s<br />

traditions. We cannot wait to open our doors<br />

in a few months, and welcome hotel guests<br />

and visitors alike to this unique culinary<br />

experience on our Mediterranean island. Be<br />

prepared to be transported to another place<br />

in the world, from the moment you enter the<br />

restaurants reception area…and we are sure<br />

you will enjoy your Thai journey as much<br />

as we do.<br />

A CUISINE<br />

LIKE NO OTHER,<br />

YET SUITING<br />

SO MANY TASTES<br />

12<br />

coming soon at the tower of st raphael resort & marina


THE TOWER<br />

AT ST RAPHAEL RESORT<br />

AND MARINA<br />

One of the most<br />

sought after addresses...<br />

here’s the why?<br />

While building the Tower at St Raphael Resort and Marina, we were often told<br />

that our project is one of the most successful projects in Limassol. Now I know<br />

that many want to flatter, but results do speak for themselves, and when looking<br />

at the sales results, our Tower is clearly one of Limassol’s best sellers. The ‘Why’ is<br />

quite simple: our location is perfect. Set in a quiet location, not in earshot of any<br />

main roads, with an unobstructed view of St Raphael’s private marina and the<br />

Mediterranean Sea, a property situated on Limassol’s bay front line, connected to<br />

our five-star awarding winning St Raphael Resort, yet being 33 meters away from<br />

the main building.<br />

14 15


The Apartments were all designed not to have any north facing rooms, in fact<br />

the north part of The Tower is used solely for common areas, stairwells and<br />

service features, leaving the South and of course East and West for the<br />

breathtaking views from all the apartment rooms. As you enter the apartments,<br />

the natural beauty of your location is apparent as soon as you open the door,<br />

and finishing of every apartment, designed differently to suit different styles and<br />

needs, is absolutely top quality. The roof top (level 15) has a long infinity pool as<br />

well as a private sun lounging area, gym and is the ideal location for all residents<br />

to enjoy peace and quiet, should they not wish to frequent the large array hotel<br />

facilities.<br />

From 2020, we will have some select apartments available for short term rentals<br />

so for anyone desiring a holiday in a luxurious apartment but with all the<br />

facilities of a five-star resort, including gardens, pools, spa, room service and<br />

more, they don’t have to look any further. The solution is here, including a choice<br />

of board basis.<br />

For further information on how to rent an apartment for your next visit, please<br />

visit www.straphael.com or contact us directly at info@thetowerlimassol.com<br />

Please note we may also have apartments for sale or resale.<br />

16 17


Global Mobility<br />

Services<br />

Our service delivery model is structured around the life-cycle<br />

of an international assignment and assistance can be provided,<br />

amongst others, in the following categories:<br />

• Personal taxation services<br />

• Social insurance services<br />

• Immigration services<br />

Our professionals possess extensive experience and expertise,<br />

know which questions to ask and can readily help you address<br />

the challenges that may arise.<br />

Drawing on best practices with our multi-disciplinary approach<br />

and our global network, we are in the best position to assist<br />

our clients think beyond the present, see beyond borders and<br />

achieve long-lasting success.<br />

For more information please contact:<br />

George Markides<br />

Board Member, Head of Tax<br />

T: +357 22 209 297<br />

E: gmarkides@kpmg.com<br />

Costas Markides<br />

Board Member, Primary Contact<br />

T: +357 22 209 189<br />

E: cmarkides@kpmg.com<br />

kpmg.com.cy<br />

THE TOWER<br />

AT ST RAPHAEL RESORT<br />

AND MARINA<br />

…a landmark in the making<br />

©2019 KPMG Limited, a Cyprus limited liability company and member of the KPMG network of independent member firms<br />

affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (”KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.<br />

E-mail: info@thetowerlimassol.com, Website: www.thetowerlimassol.com


LEASING<br />

OF PLEASURE<br />

YACHTS<br />

CYPRUS VAT RULES<br />

Cyprus has become increasingly popular as a destination<br />

and home port to many yachts. Over the last few years some<br />

of the world’s best known and iconic superyachts have taken<br />

up berths and have cast their recognisable silhouette along<br />

the Limassol sea horizon and shoreline.<br />

This drive is due to the constant investment in this sector,<br />

the opening and development of new marinas on the island,<br />

some with berths accommodating superyachts. Of course,<br />

it deserves mentioning in this magazine, that the first<br />

private marina in Cyprus is the St Raphael Resort’s “St<br />

Raphael Marina”, plans for which started in the early 1980s.<br />

Other than the well-known benefits the island has to offer,<br />

and its central location in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus<br />

has adopted rules regarding the leasing of pleasure yachts<br />

and the applicability of VAT.<br />

The Cyprus VAT rate is currently 19%. This rate is lower<br />

than much of Europe and when it comes to the leasing of<br />

pleasure yachts, the rate may be further reduced based on<br />

the yacht’s usage. However, cases are examined on a case by<br />

cases basis.<br />

Some of the basic conditions on the application of VAT for<br />

the leasing of pleasure yachts were recently published in<br />

a new circular of the Cypriot Tax Commissioner. Subject to<br />

formal application these are:<br />

Written by<br />

Michael Papadopoulos<br />

Advocate<br />

Michael Papadopoulos LLC - Law<br />

1. Producing a copy of the lease agreement or<br />

any other agreements.<br />

2. Producing a document which describes in<br />

detail the procedures for the keeping of a log<br />

book or whether an electronic system of<br />

tracking the yacht is in operation.<br />

3. The lease agreement should not give a right of<br />

purchasing the yacht to the lessee at any point<br />

in time during the lease agreement, otherwise<br />

it may be considered a supply of goods and<br />

not a supply of services.<br />

4. If at the time of an application, the company<br />

cannot produce sufficient data which will<br />

give the Tax Commissioner the opportunity to<br />

calculate with reasonable preciseness where<br />

the services of the lease of the yacht are<br />

actually used and taken advantage of, then<br />

the Tax Commissioner may prefix these<br />

amounts, taking into consideration the facts<br />

he has at his disposal<br />

(again on a case by case basis).<br />

5. There will have to paid at the time when the<br />

registration (VAT) number is given – a<br />

guarantee amount, which shall not exceed<br />

3% of the value of the yacht.<br />

6. The value of the yacht must be verified from<br />

the purchase invoice if the yacht is new, and<br />

if the yacht is second hand, ascertained from a<br />

certificate from a qualified surveyor of yachts.<br />

7. The director of the company or other<br />

authorised person by the company (of the<br />

lessor / owning company) must sign a<br />

“Declaration” in which he agrees with the<br />

amounts regarding where the services of the<br />

lease are actually used and taken advantage of.<br />

8. The company must remain registered in<br />

the Register of VAT for not be less than six<br />

(6) years.<br />

9. In all cases the yacht must be put at the<br />

disposal of the lessee in the Republic<br />

of Cyprus.<br />

10. The lessee, may have his establishment either<br />

in or outside the Republic of Cyprus, and must<br />

be a physical person, that is a person who<br />

leases the yacht not for business purposes.<br />

20 21


11. The company (lessor) will have to submit the<br />

required tax declarations.<br />

14. The amount of income tax will be determined<br />

in accordance with the Income Tax Laws.<br />

12. When prefixed amounts are used in<br />

accordance with point 4 (above), and when the<br />

yacht leased has a length not smaller than<br />

twenty (20) meters, the company should every<br />

six (6) months, produce to the Taxation<br />

Department detailed data in connection with<br />

15. The payment of the tax- calculated on an<br />

annual basis - will be made in two installments,<br />

the first will be paid not later than the 30th<br />

June and the second 31st December of each<br />

year in a manner which shall be decided by<br />

the Registrar.<br />

the lease of the yacht (course of navigation of<br />

the yacht). The Registrar has authority to make<br />

possible modifications to the agreed amounts<br />

in accordance with the data and/or to<br />

determine the future amounts.<br />

13. The output VAT will be made in accordance<br />

with the amounts that the Registrar shall set<br />

(point 4) at the time of the application of the<br />

company. Claiming of input VAT is not allowed<br />

whilst the company is registered in the<br />

Register of VAT.<br />

16. When the yacht is not registered in the Cyprus<br />

Register of Ships the lease agreement is<br />

subject to stamp duty. The value of the lease<br />

for the purposes of the calculation of the<br />

stamp duty will be calculated on the basis of<br />

the value of the yacht, the operational costs<br />

and the expected profit of the company.<br />

This article is for information purposes only<br />

and professional advice should be sought for each<br />

specific case.<br />

for the sea!<br />

Looking for a great spot to berth your boat big or small?<br />

St Raphael Marina is just the right place! We offer a safe and welcoming environment in which to leave your boat.<br />

For our new price list, check our website.<br />

BOOK YOUR MARINA BERTH BY GETTING IN TOUCH WITH US<br />

St Raphael Marina, P.O. Box 51933, 3509 Limassol, Cyprus, Tel: +357 25 834255, Fax: +357 25 635208<br />

E-mail: marina@raphael.com.cy, Website: www.raphael.com.cy/straphaelmarina<br />

22


4 Tips to plan<br />

a Mindful Wedding<br />

With digital technology, we’ve never been more distracted. But the one day<br />

where you are forced to be mindful is on your wedding day, if you let go of<br />

control and simply allow it to happen, it is glorious!<br />

Mindfulness is a state of awareness, it means paying attention to the<br />

present moment, on purpose. Allowing us to be aware of and gain more<br />

control of our thoughts and feelings so we are better able to manage them.<br />

Mindfulness isn’t a new concept. It has been around for centuries and<br />

forms a strong basis of cultures including Buddhism. It can help manage<br />

stress or anxiety, and it can also help us slow down and focus.<br />

Weddings are notoriously known for causing stress, so rather than<br />

focusing on the intricate planning details, let’s simplify things. Let’s make<br />

your wedding planning more mindful, less stressful and see how you can<br />

incorporate mindfulness into your every day going forward to live with less<br />

stress and more peace of mind.<br />

Let’s go!<br />

Get perspective<br />

Planning a wedding can force us to face challenges, to hear lots<br />

Just breathe<br />

Breathing is such a simple and powerful tool to instantly relieve anxiety, worry or<br />

stress – yet we so often forget to use the power of the breath!<br />

Here’s a quick exercise to try:<br />

Take a moment to quieten your mind.Inhale deeply - (focus on inhaling air to your<br />

diaphragm and filling your belly up with air - not your chest and shoulders)Breathe<br />

in for 3 secondsHold your breath for 6 seconds (you can do it!!)Breathe out for 8<br />

seconds, slowly releasing the air from your belly. And repeat!<br />

Be confident that the decision<br />

you are making is right...<br />

Have a digital detox <br />

Go a day without your phone. Leave your phone out of your bedroom so you can<br />

avoid the temptation of scrolling through your phone looking at weddings first<br />

thing in the morning and last thing at night. Make a mindful cup of tea. Be present.<br />

Have cuddles with your loved one instead. You don’t need to plan 24/7<br />

of opinions, so family disputes and guest list headache, lots of<br />

Nova Reid<br />

by Rupa Photography<br />

decisions to make and money stress can feel magnified. It can leave you<br />

with low-level anxiety or uncertainty about if you’ve made the right decision<br />

and hard to let things go. Get perspective. Be confident that the decision<br />

you are making is right. If something is lingering and bothering you, If it<br />

is not serving you, let it go or ask for help and delegate. The world will<br />

not end.<br />

Practice gratitude <br />

International Research already shows us that practicing gratitude is something<br />

that works wonders for our wellbeing, it makes us happier, reduces stress,<br />

encourages sleep and increases life satisfaction, yet it is something we do so little.<br />

Amazing things happen to us all the time and we rarely notice or acknowledge<br />

them. Start today - what are you grateful for?<br />

Nova Reid is a diversity and wellbeing<br />

consultant and Founder of multi-award<br />

winning wedding website and wedding<br />

show: Nu Bride www.nubride.com<br />

Wedding photography by<br />

Photo Experts<br />

24 25


502 AMATHUS AVENUE, 4533 LIMASSOL<br />

P.O. BOX 51064, 3594 LIMASSOL-CYPRUS<br />

TELEPHONE: +357 25834200, FACSMILE: +357 25636394<br />

E-MAIL: WEDDINGS@STRAPHAEL.COM | WWW.STRAPHAEL.COM


Witnessing<br />

the Transformative<br />

POWER OF EDUCATION<br />

The impact of<br />

Malaika’s work is<br />

far-reaching and<br />

all-encompassing...<br />

written by<br />

Salima Etoka<br />

photo<br />

Noella Coursaris Musunka<br />

Over the past decade, Malaika has impacted thousands of lives in the<br />

village of Kalebuka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while also<br />

sparking a lasting transformation in the wider community.<br />

Malaika, which is the Swahili word for “angel,” is a grassroots nonprofit<br />

organization that is catalyzing change from the ground up. Founded in<br />

2007 by Noëlla Coursaris Musunka, a Congolese/Cypriot international<br />

model and humanitarian, Malaika is empowering girls, women, and<br />

their community by improving access to education, clean water, and<br />

healthcare.<br />

The impact of Malaika’s work is far-reaching and all-encompassing,<br />

fueled by the alarming statistic of seven million children and<br />

adolescents being out of school in the DRC, the ongoing issues of<br />

villages lacking access to water and electricity, and the constant threat<br />

of malnutrition and disease.<br />

The Malaika School provides 314 girls with an accredited, holistic<br />

primary and secondary curriculum. Students take classes in literacy,<br />

languages, STEM, health, civics, and the arts. Additionally, they receive<br />

two nutritious meals per day - using food grown organically on the<br />

agriculture field on our premises - and regular health checkups.<br />

At the Kalebuka Football for Hope Center, built in partnership with<br />

FIFA, Malaika provides training in healthcare, literacy, IT, sports, and<br />

sustainable agriculture for over 5,000 youth and adults annually. As part<br />

of this center, the Nzuri Threads Program focus on teaching women<br />

in the community financial literacy, entrepreneurship, sewing and<br />

embroidery skills. In the village and surrounding areas, Malaika<br />

has also built and refurbished 17 wells, which provide clean<br />

water to 30,000 people each year. Through partnerships with<br />

local doctors, Malaika has introduced measures to educate<br />

the community about common illness and disease - including<br />

malaria, for which over 11,000 malaria nets have been<br />

distributed.<br />

Over twelve years since its founding, Malaika continues to<br />

grow and is increasingly recognized on the global stage for<br />

its transformative impact. Most recently, The OUTNET and<br />

ROKSANDA partnered with Malaika to introduce an exclusive<br />

collection from ROKSANDA, where 10% of each purchase goes<br />

to support Malaika’s programs.<br />

Malaika is truly empowering the next generation of female<br />

leaders. Each day, it opens its doors to over 300 resilient,<br />

passionate, and talented young girls. By providing a space<br />

to learn, question, and engage, it encourages young girls to<br />

believe in the attainability of their dreams, and to fight against the<br />

societal norms that can restrain their potential.<br />

For more information about Malaika, please visit their website<br />

at http://malaika.org/. You can also find them on Twitter, Facebook,<br />

and Instagram.<br />

28 29


Mazotos Camel Park<br />

For our little friends<br />

ALL DAY FUN!<br />

If you are looking to escape the expected and be closer to nature, then the Camel<br />

Park at Mazotos village is your destination point. The park is a big day out for all the<br />

family with lots to see and do all day long! Lose yourself in the sights and meet a wide<br />

variety of animals such as camels, donkeys, ponies, deer, goats, ostriches, kangaroos<br />

and many other animals. A fun way of coming face-to-face with the camels is to feed<br />

them with carobs, which they will take directly from your hand! At the pool you can<br />

cool down, relax and enjoy refreshments from the pool bar. The park has a games<br />

room, bumper cars, small fish room, trampolines, hall of mirrors, 5D cinema, mini golf<br />

and many other games. Do not forget to visit the small museum which will take you<br />

back to an old Cypriot way of life.<br />

FOOD & DRINK<br />

If you want to recharge your batteries, the Camel Park restaurant offers a wide range<br />

of meals as well as hot and cold drinks. For on-the-go refreshments, you can enjoy a<br />

large variety of snacks, ice creams and drinks from the park’s kiosk.<br />

RIDES<br />

This is a must! Take an exciting safari ride on one of our well trained camels, seeing<br />

the countryside and sites from a height. The duration of the ride is roughly 10-15<br />

mins. You can also go for a pony or donkey ride and have your photo taken as a<br />

memento of your trip to the park.<br />

Limassol BubblePark<br />

The new fun park recently set up in Limassol is open from Tuesday to Friday from<br />

15.30 to 21.00 and during weekends from 10.30 in the morning to 21.00 in the<br />

Golden Donkeys Farm<br />

Golden Donkeys Farm is one of the biggest donkey farms in Europe and is located at<br />

picturesque village named Skarinou. It is hosting around 200 donkeys and is one of<br />

the biggest farms in Europe. The place is not just a farm but an area of multi cultures<br />

and tradition.<br />

People from all over the world are visiting the place to see these beautiful friendly<br />

animals that held a leading role at the farm life of the island during the ancient<br />

centuries. They are adorable animals and their main characteristics are their patience<br />

and strength. At the stone-made farm, you can visit the stone-made olive oil mill, the<br />

well, the farm house with the wax figures, which are representing old farm activities.<br />

As well as a lot of olive trees, the herb’s garden and a lot more that will “travel” you<br />

back to the old times. During those times the donkeys had a leading role at the lives<br />

of the people. At the place there is also a nice cafeteria that serves delicious Cyprus<br />

evening! Never before another funpark in Limassol was able to offer such a variety of<br />

activities to kids as well as facilities that make adults’ life much easier!! The fun park<br />

that offers real entertainment!<br />

At Bubblepark you can find the commonly loved playground with a variety of slides,<br />

cannon with foam balls, foam ball volcano, trampolines, inflatables with slides and<br />

various other kiddie rides. For the motor car lovers they can have the chance to<br />

race each other on a track of race cars and for the bike lovers to enjoy the fantastic<br />

formula bumper bikes.<br />

For the more athletic guys they can test their agility and fitness at the indoor rope<br />

course, experience the adrenaline rush of the zip line or even spin in the air with the<br />

new bungee trampoline! You can relax at our Yummie lounge restaurant having a<br />

drink or even try our sweets or snacks having a piece of mind about your kids under<br />

the supervision of our trained stuff.<br />

coffee and a restaurant full of traditional taste.<br />

30 31


Fasouri Watermania Waterpark<br />

Fasouri Watermania is the ideal place for families, friends and children to spend a<br />

one-day outing, during their summer holidays.<br />

At Fasouri Watermania Waterpark we want you to enjoy being entertained in a safe,<br />

fun and relaxing environment. Get away from the hassle and bustle of the crowded<br />

city and join us for a unique thrilling experience.<br />

Fasouri Watermania is presently the biggest Waterpark in Cyprus both in size (over<br />

100.000 square meters – 25 acres) and number of attractions and facilities with 30<br />

different slides and water games for all ages and includes one of the largest<br />

wave-pools in Europe, lazy river, children’s activity pool, the Kiddy bubble, the<br />

Black Hole slide, extreme Black Hole slide and the Kamikaze Slide and entertains<br />

thousands of local and tourist visitors every year. During the 6 month of operations, the<br />

waterpark also offers a daily shuttle bus service from Limassol at a charge.<br />

Fasouri Waterpark offers a wide variety of delicious dishes from theme restaurants,<br />

refreshments from the Cocktail Bar, freshly made crepes and waffles from the<br />

Sweet Land Kiosk, large variety of Ice Cream flavours, delicious mini donuts from the<br />

Donuts Kiosk, a wide selection of treats from the well-known Cinnabon Kiosk, freshly<br />

squeezed juices from our Juice Bar Kiosk and last, but not least, hot and cold aromatic<br />

coffees by Costa Coffee.<br />

So…do yourself a favor this summer: Have some cool fun at the number one<br />

Waterpark in Cyprus, Fasouri Watermania! We look forward to making this an<br />

experience to remember!<br />

Family Activities at our Resort<br />

There is always something for even the most active sports enthusiast to enjoy at<br />

St Raphael Resort. Apart from swimming in either one of our two outdoor or one<br />

indoor pools, the hotel also has table tennis, workout programmes, darts, french bowls,<br />

archery, a fully equipped gymnasium with the latest equipment, beach volleyball,<br />

badminton, two artificial grass tennis courts (it is also possible to rent rackets and<br />

tennis balls), sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi, serenity spa, scuba diving and all types of<br />

water sports at the beach.<br />

For even more adventure and entertainment options<br />

for our little and not so little friends<br />

please contact our Guest Relations Office!<br />

32


Trending<br />

in Fashion<br />

The wheel of fashion is turning fast and sometimes it might seem difficult to follow<br />

the trends. Fashion can be so powerful. Within the first seven seconds of meeting,<br />

people will have a solid impression of who you are. What you wear plays an important<br />

part in it. Everyday you can invent yourself new. So let’s get started and have a look<br />

at the F/W 2019 trends that reigned supreme – the ones that are the most important<br />

to know right now.<br />

The runways this season were loud and clear on the fact that you can pick and choose<br />

what trend you would like to try. Everything is possible. One obvious change is that<br />

designers have been turning away from the casualness of athleisure and trading it in<br />

for the opportunity to get dressed up. The 80s still play an important factor and Lady<br />

Diana’s iconic fashion moments serve as a source of inspiration. Bows have been<br />

spotted everywhere, on blouses, as belts or scarfs. Animal prints are a wardrobe<br />

staple and this fall is the season of the zebra. When it comes to outerwear, the cape<br />

is the hero piece alongside `70s inspired vintage shearling jackets. As designers are<br />

turning more and more towards more ethical and sustainable fashion, fur has almost<br />

disappeared off the runways.<br />

But what about our shoes, bags and accessories? The fashionable additions to the<br />

season’s best outfits have an equally polished attitude. With barely a sneaker in sight,<br />

the runways were dominated by clasp bags, fancy kitten heels, and vibrant platform<br />

boots that complemented the looks. On the grunge side of things there were lots of<br />

Everyday<br />

you can invent<br />

yourself new<br />

Written By<br />

Sandra Bauknecht<br />

www.sandrascloset.com<br />

Photos By<br />

Sandra Bauknecht<br />

and David Biedert Photography<br />

Memorize some of them to impress your friends when they ask you what you’re looking<br />

forward to wearing this season, and not so humbly reply, «Definitely a hint of<br />

lilac, everything punk from a transparent lace dress with combat boots to a tartan<br />

skirt with a chain choker, not to forget a cape and everything layered. You know, the<br />

essentials.»<br />

cool offerings: punk chokers and most of all, though, there were chains just about<br />

everywhere. If you belong to the not-so-shy fraction, opt for some colorful hosiery.<br />

In general, we are looking forward to a season full of unbridled fun. Enjoy!<br />

Love, Sandra<br />

34 35


HAS modern life<br />

RUINED YOUR ATTENTION SPAN?<br />

Written by<br />

Dr. Linda Papadopoulos<br />

Here’s an interesting thought: The attention span of your average<br />

goldfish is around nine seconds, according to recent research from<br />

Microsoft Corp., people today generally lose concentration after eight<br />

seconds – we have worse attention spans than a goldfish. Now this<br />

gives some credence to the idea that our increasingly digitalized<br />

lifestyle may be having an impact on our brains and cognitive health. The<br />

researchers surveyed 2,000 participants and studied the brain<br />

activity of 112 others using electroencephalograms (EEGs). They found<br />

that since the year 2000, around the time when the mobile revolution<br />

began, our attention span dropped from 12 seconds to eight seconds.<br />

The theory is that we are so inundated with screens and information<br />

vying for our attention that we find it difficult to filter out irrelevant<br />

stimuli. On the plus side, the researchers say our ability to multitask has<br />

drastically improved in the mobile age. The researchers believe that<br />

the changes have to do with our brains plasticity- its ability to adapt to<br />

environmental factors- and this is a good thing since we can use that<br />

plasticity to our advantage.<br />

So if you feel that your attention span<br />

just isn’t what it used to be, here are a<br />

few things that you can do:<br />

Ditch the distractions: In todays society, being connected,<br />

staying on top of your social media and keeping up to date with<br />

breaking news, (and funny cat videos) is the status quo. But the fact is<br />

these distractions get in the way of our ability to focus on tasks. So, if<br />

you need to get something done close all irrelevant tabs, avoid checking<br />

social media and email, and if possible settle in a quiet environment. If<br />

this makes you feel anxious then tell yourself you’ll take a break<br />

after 1 hour to check your phone and computer for messages<br />

but within that hour give yourself the best chance of focussing by<br />

avoiding digital distractions.<br />

Move your body: Physical activity can improve attention<br />

and focus, as it releases chemicals in the brain that affect<br />

learning and memory. In fact, exercise can provide a short-term<br />

boost to your mental and cognitive performance, making it<br />

easier to focus. So make a point of exercising at least 3 times a<br />

week even if its just taking a brisk walk around the block.<br />

Drink up: A recent study in The Journal of Nutrition found<br />

that mild dehydration - which can be so slight that you don’t<br />

notice or feel thirsty - can actually lead to inattention. So keeping<br />

a glass of water by your desk or taking a cup of tea into a meeting<br />

might help you focus and stay alert.<br />

One thing at a time: Its easier to focus when you don’t<br />

have a lot of things vying for our attention so make a list of the<br />

tasks that you have to do and then focus on one at a time.<br />

Motivate yourself with something you<br />

want: Reward is a key mechanism in directing behaviour<br />

so, if you create a deadline for a task try and combine it with<br />

a reward this way you are more likely to do it. This is<br />

particularly useful if you are self employed so don’t need to<br />

report to anyone - organising tasks with deadlines and rewards<br />

in mind will give you structure and increase the chances of you<br />

staying focused and motivated.<br />

Physical activity<br />

can improve<br />

attention and focus...<br />

36 37


News<br />

Serenity Spa at St Raphael Resort and Marina believes firmly in sustainability. We<br />

want to support our local heritage, culture, nature, traditions and people. Our staff<br />

are carefully selected and trained to the highest standards, in so doing we do not<br />

only offer the best in customer service, but also create the best team spirit and the<br />

best balance of expertise.<br />

We are proud to work with Kypwell, a premium wellbeing brand from the<br />

Mediterranean island of Cyprus offering natural holistic and high-performance<br />

skincare, herbal teas and wellbeing services. Their mission is to inspire and enable<br />

people to lead natural, healthy lives. Based on locally grown organic herbs and<br />

unique wellbeing traditions of Cyprus, the collection of effective skincare, body<br />

care and organic herbal teas will help you find luxury wellbeing for inside and out.<br />

We want to offer all our customers, hotel guests, members and locals alike, with<br />

the best of Cyprus: friendly service, impeccable treatments, and local products<br />

with pure nature being at the heart of our philosophy. Not only are none of the<br />

products we choose to work with, tested on animals, but where possible they have<br />

been certified vegan and are from organic and natural sources. Furthermore, all<br />

products we work with are from companies that firmly stand for the environment,<br />

their local people and neighbour, and promoting natural, pure ingredients.<br />

We have no doubt that you, our valued and most special guests, will enjoy every<br />

part of your experience at our award-winning spa. We look forward to welcoming<br />

you as part of the ‘Serenity Spa’ family and will be delighted to help you in a part of<br />

your spa journey, from selecting a treatment, tailor-making a package just for you,<br />

and in advising of ‘after-spa’ programmes.<br />

We also work with Rivage Natural Dead Sea Minerals, a superior Dead Sea brand<br />

from Jordan who were inspired by the power and results of the Dead Sea to<br />

transform the health of our skin and hair. The Dead Sea is the beginning of<br />

natural skin care, a healing and medicinal natural spa that has been celebrated<br />

since 3000BC. Each product in their range is carefully engineered to work with<br />

your skin’s natural qualities to renew, detoxify and nourish your skin, naturally.<br />

‘One of the secrets of a happy life<br />

is continuous small treats’<br />

Iris Murdoch<br />

38 39


The Benefits<br />

of Massage<br />

For some, they think of a massage as a luxury treat, a moment to indulge and get<br />

ing to “close the pain gate” by stimulating<br />

Massage Therapists today use their knowledge<br />

away from life’s routine, yet for others it may make up an important part of their<br />

competing nerve fibers and impeding pain<br />

of physiology and anatomy to combine<br />

healthcare lifestyle. Massages in various forms have been around for hundreds,<br />

messages to and from the brain.<br />

traditional Swedish and modern massage<br />

written by<br />

Farah Shammas<br />

Managing Director<br />

St Raphael Resort and Marina<br />

contribution by<br />

Christina Aresti<br />

if not thousands, of years and continue to be an integral part of many cultures.<br />

Just like various countries offer varying specialised techniques, such as Thai<br />

massage or Indian Head massages, so too do different people and body types<br />

require different treatments. There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to<br />

massage, but what has been proven in many studies is that massage, far from<br />

being only an indulgent luxury, has many health benefits.<br />

Reduce stress<br />

Stress is a prevalent component in today’s fast-paced world which can negatively<br />

impact on an individual’s health and well-being. Massage therapy has been<br />

shown to be a means by which stress can be reduced significantly on physical and<br />

psychological levels. This occurs because massage prompts the release of<br />

endorphins - the brain chemicals that produce feelings of wellbeing.<br />

Improve Circulation<br />

Massage has the overall effect of lowering your blood pressure and reduces<br />

your pulse rate. Massage facilitates tissue healing through the enhancement of<br />

circulation. Massage increases tissue fluid and assists lymphatic circulation thus<br />

reducing swelling while enhancing your immune system<br />

Reduce Pain<br />

Pain relief may occur by way of several mechanisms, including relaxing painful<br />

muscles, tendons, and joints; relieving stress and anxiety; and possibly help-<br />

Eliminate Toxins<br />

Massage causes chemicals to be released<br />

within the body, which bring toxins out of your<br />

muscles. Massage has also been found to help<br />

the substance lymph move around, which<br />

assists in getting rid of toxins from tissues in<br />

your body.<br />

Improve Sleep<br />

A massage will encourage relaxation and boost<br />

your mood. Going to bed with relaxed and<br />

loosened muscles promotes more restful sleep,<br />

and you’ll feel less tired in the morning!<br />

Enhance Immunity<br />

Stimulation of the lymph nodes re-charges<br />

the body’s natural defense system. Regular<br />

massages have been shown to make the<br />

immune system stronger, Massage therapy<br />

increases the activity level of the body’s white<br />

blood cells that work to combat viruses.<br />

therapy techniques with other therapies to<br />

treat people.<br />

Of course, massages cannot do everything<br />

alone, and an overall healthy lifestyle should be<br />

sort after, including a balanced diet, plenty of<br />

water (especially in the summer heat), regular<br />

exercise with yoga being highly recommended<br />

by many therapists and meditation.<br />

Some of our personal favourites for their overall<br />

health benefits for body, mind and soul<br />

would be ;<br />

- the all time classic ‘Aromatherapy Massage’<br />

which apart from the mentioned benefits<br />

above can also improve digestion and<br />

increase circulation.<br />

- The Ancient Greek Massage is also a unique<br />

signature massage that can assist in<br />

relieving muscle pain and boost energy<br />

levels.<br />

- Finally the Serenity Spa’s Ampai Massage<br />

was developed by the spa’s experts to help<br />

the body relax and recharge.<br />

40 41


What the Vegan<br />

is going on?<br />

1 MILLION HECTARES OF LAND CAN<br />

FEED AROUND 6 MILLION PEOPLE ON<br />

AN OMNIVOROUS DIET, OR 22 MILLION<br />

PEOPLE ON A VEGAN DIET<br />

Anyone wondering what all the hype about Veganism<br />

is? Is this a trend or a new fashion? What exactly is<br />

involved in being Vegan?<br />

Here are some of the answers and information you may find interesting!<br />

In short, there are three main reasons, someone would go vegan: health,<br />

environment, animal welfare. Of course, these can be combined or there are an<br />

array of personal reasons that can switch individuals to try and stay vegan. Here<br />

we explore some of the main ones, and the reasons why this is definitely not a<br />

trend, but a new lifestyle that a growing number of the world’s population see as<br />

the only way forward.<br />

502 AMATHUS AVENUE, 4533 LIMASSOL<br />

P.O. BOX 51064, 3594 LIMASSOL-CYPRUS<br />

TELEPHONE: +357 25834200,<br />

FACSMILE: +357 25636394<br />

E-MAIL: SPA@STRAPHAEL.COM<br />

WWW.STRAPHAEL.COM<br />

By Farah Shammas,<br />

#farahshammas<br />

HEALTH<br />

This is where my personal vegan journey began. In looking for ways to<br />

improve our overall health, to combat a huge number of common ailments and<br />

autoimmune diseases, and to not develop and even reserve some of the<br />

western world’s top killers such as heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes<br />

among others, a balanced whole food, plant-based diets always triumphs. Why<br />

aren’t all doctors and specialists talking about this? Well unfortunately most<br />

doctors have to do limited, if any, nutrition studies during their university years<br />

and hardly any after graduating. They are taught, and become experts, in<br />

problem solving once the problem has arisen, but not in treating the cause.<br />

There is also a lot of outdated information out there, but the good news is that<br />

new information and findings from studies are becoming available daily, proving<br />

without a shadow of doubt that all nutrients, including iron and protein, can be<br />

obtained in abundance if you go vegan.<br />

43


Vegan Facts<br />

DID YOU KNOW?<br />

GOING ONE YEAR WITHOUT PAPER...<br />

SAVES 8.5 TREES<br />

GOING ONE YEAR WITHOUT BEEF...<br />

SAVES 3,432 TREES<br />

“Nothing will benefit<br />

human health and<br />

increase the chances<br />

for survival of life<br />

on Earth as much as<br />

the evolution to a<br />

vegetarian diet.”<br />

Albert Einstein<br />

ENVIRONMENT<br />

Removing animal and dairy products from your diet is the single handed biggest<br />

move a person can take to help stop climate change. Many people are simply<br />

shocked to read statistics on the pollution caused directly and indirectly from the<br />

meat and dairy industry, let alone the amount of water consumed in the process.<br />

Recent studies have shown that the animal agriculture industry produces more<br />

climate changing omissions than every train, car, aeroplane, truck and transport<br />

vehicle in the world. On top of that, raising animals requires a lot of water and<br />

grain. The water used to produce just one beef burger is about the equivalent<br />

of a person not taking a shower for a whole month, while the grain used to feed<br />

the livestock could feed much, if not all, of the third world. Deforestation and is<br />

needed for the physical land to rear livestock and our oceans are also suffering<br />

from pollution from rearing animals on land and overfishing in the sea.<br />

ANIMALS<br />

Sir Paul McCartney said that ‘if slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would<br />

be vegetarian’.<br />

We all know that animals are killed to end up on a plate, but how they are killed<br />

and where they are raised is ignored or fantasied with a green meadow and<br />

happy farmers taking care of happy animals. This image couldn’t be further from<br />

the truth, very unfortunately, and with the added awareness on various media<br />

platforms, many in the general public want to put an end to animal abuse and<br />

torture. The dairy industry has also been exposed as a cruel industry where<br />

dairy cows live an average of only 5 years (as opposed to 15 if in nature), often<br />

collapsing under their own weight after having their calves either shot in front of<br />

them or taken away at birth to be reared for veal or another dairy cow.<br />

WHAT TO DO<br />

‘I could never give up meat’ is a line that every vegan around the<br />

world has said before, so don’t think this is not for you. Even if<br />

going meatless is not something you would want to consider<br />

now, meat free days could be a good way to start, for example<br />

creating a family ‘Meat free Wednesdays’ or ‘Vegan Fridays’. The<br />

number of recipes available online are incredible, and vegan<br />

food has come so far from a salad and baked potato option of<br />

the past. It’s also good to do some further reading, so whatever<br />

you eat, you are more informed of both positive and negative<br />

aspects surrounding your decisions.<br />

The term ‘Flexetarian’ has also now been coined for those<br />

who are mainly meat and dairy free, but will occasionally eat<br />

something not deemed ‘vegan’ should the craving or situation<br />

arise. Most people who try going vegan, and who do it properly,<br />

are surprised by how much energy they have, how good their<br />

skin looks, how full they feel and how their overall health<br />

improves. For many, it’s also a great way to show gratitude for all<br />

we have and feel better connected to nature.<br />

“if slaughterhouses<br />

had glass walls, everyone<br />

would be vegetarian”<br />

Sir Paul McCartney<br />

Photos of Vegan dishes from our<br />

menu at our Seashells Healthy<br />

Living Restaurant and taken<br />

by our Executive Chef Elias Elia<br />

44 45


Vegan Facts<br />

DID YOU KNOW?<br />

100 CALORIES OF STEAK<br />

ARE EQUAL TO 8 GRAMS OF PROTEIN and 7.4 GRAMS OF FAT<br />

100 CALORIES OF BROCCOLI<br />

ARE EQUAL TO 11 GRAMS OF PROTEIN and 0.4 GRAMS OF FAT<br />

VEGAN FACTS AND FIGURES<br />

Each Day a person who eats a vegan diet saves : 1,000 Gallons of Water, 45 lbs of<br />

Grain, 30 sq ft of forests, 20lbs of Co 2 , one animal life<br />

Try our Vegan options at<br />

our Seashells Healthy Living restaurant<br />

Shellac - yes the polish used on nails or in some sweets - is actually the resin<br />

secreted by female lac insects.<br />

Many people feel addicted to cheese because it has morphine-like compounds<br />

called casomorphenes (from the milk protein casein found in all milk products)<br />

that attack the brains opiate receptors (the same as many drugs) plus the high<br />

levels of salt and fat which studies have shown it very addictive to many people.<br />

FURTHER RECOMMENDED<br />

READING AND WATCHING<br />

www.veganuary.com and ‘How to go Vegan’<br />

www.nutritionfacts.org and Dr. Michael Gregor’s ‘How not to Die’<br />

Forks Over Knives and Cowspiracy on Netflix<br />

‘The China Study’ by Dr Colin T. Campbell<br />

Dr Caldwell D. Esselstyn ‘Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease’<br />

Dr Dean Ornish books and website https://www.ornish.com/<br />

VEGAN DEFINITION: Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude,<br />

as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to,<br />

animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.<br />

46


We believe in sustainability… not just for our business, but for our<br />

human bodies, souls and the environment. We hope that you will<br />

enjoy our carefully prepared menu, healthy plant based, whole<br />

food. For those of you who do not want to try our vegan options,<br />

we have prepared a few fish options also!<br />

Our philosophy is to offer a child/family friendly atmosphere on<br />

our five star beach, where adults can relax knowing that the kids<br />

have plenty to entertain themselves, while offering delicious and<br />

healthy food for all the family. Together, we can all make a difference<br />

to the world we live in.<br />

Open from May until early October depending on<br />

weather conditions.<br />

Where relaxation<br />

meets Healthy Living!<br />

at St Raphael’s Beach<br />

Seashells Healthy Living at St Raphael’s Beach | Tel: 25 834262<br />

Find us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Read our Reviews on Trip Advisor


The rise<br />

of the Lifestyle Entrepreneur<br />

in the Global Economy<br />

Written by<br />

Pavlina Papalouka<br />

How to build a<br />

business and brand,<br />

that allows you to<br />

work from anywhere<br />

Have you recently wondered if your job or career<br />

is fulfilling your true purpose in life and if its really<br />

making you happy?<br />

Do you visualise that you can travel more, have the<br />

freedom to work the hours you want, from anywhere<br />

you want and do work that is more fulfilling and more<br />

aligned to what you truly want out of life?<br />

If you have, then you are not alone. More than 50%<br />

of the workers and entrepreneurs in developed<br />

countries, are shifting towards creating a more<br />

freedom based lifestyle.<br />

According to Forbes, in 2020 more than 43% of<br />

US workforce will be independent contractors or<br />

freelances, what is known as the ‘Gig Economy’,<br />

which is reshaping how we build our careers and live<br />

our lives.<br />

The term ‘Entrepreneur’ has become more popular<br />

than ever, with the new generation visualising a life<br />

where they can work from anywhere and build successful<br />

startups while travelling the world.<br />

And they are not only visualising, they are<br />

materialising this lifestyle every day and proving<br />

that its not only possible, its the new way that we do<br />

things in this global economy, this is the way forward.<br />

The term ‘Entrepreneur’ has become<br />

more popular than ever...<br />

The reasons are many:<br />

• Technology, the internet, smart phones, laptops and project & team<br />

management apps have made the need for having a physical office obsolete<br />

for many industries and professions.<br />

• People are realising that there is higher job satisfaction and life fulfilment if<br />

they are able to choose how they work and where they work from.<br />

• There is an increasing need of people to do work that is more fulfilling<br />

to them.<br />

• Its now scientifically proven that productivity increases when people can<br />

choose the hours they work and their work environment.<br />

• Commute and high rental fees are unnecessary for many industries and<br />

professions and a big waste of time and money that can be decided to more<br />

life enhancing activities, like travel.<br />

• We are living in a new global economy and we are no more restricted to<br />

selling in a small market or a specific town where our business is located.<br />

With the click of a button we can sell to clients from every part of the world.<br />

So what do you do to prepare for this new economy, but also to stand out either<br />

as an entrepreneur, personal brand or an independent contractor and create the<br />

lifestyle that you truly want?<br />

I have been teaching this information to thousands of people from around the<br />

world the past 4 years and I have found 3 common steps that you absolutely must<br />

take to win in this new economy and become a lifestyle entrepreneur:<br />

50<br />

51


First<br />

you need<br />

to find<br />

a niche<br />

1. The Right Business Model that can give you Leverage<br />

I always advise my clients to build a business that is around their purpose and<br />

unique skills, something they are truly passionate about, otherwise they won’t<br />

have the motivation to persevere when times get tough.<br />

However, blindly following your passion without having the right business model<br />

to grow a solid business, is a recipe for failure.<br />

How do you come up with the right Business Model that will allow you to work<br />

from anywhere and give you the leverage to grow into multiple markets and<br />

countries?<br />

First you need to find a niche, where there is high demand and medium to<br />

low competition. If everyone is doing it, it might be too late for you to enter<br />

that market.<br />

You need to decide what new you are adding to the equation with your<br />

product/service and with how you position your brand. You also need to decide<br />

how you can scale the business and have a product/service that doesn’t require<br />

you exchanging your time for money. It has to be something with a potential<br />

for great leverage through creating systems around it.<br />

A good place to start with researching niches and search volume/competition<br />

around the world is the Google Keyword Tool. Make sure you come up with a<br />

niche where there is demand globally so that you have an unlimited market to<br />

promote to once you want to expand outside your local market.<br />

2. Build your Brand on Social Media<br />

Today if you are not building your brand on social media, your business is invisible.<br />

You need to decide who your ideal client is and where they are hanging out<br />

(Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, iTunes), what is your unique brand<br />

message and brand story and then consistency create valuable content (Video,<br />

Articles, Podcasts) and post on these main platforms to build your brand and<br />

position yourself and your business as the top product/service in your niche.<br />

Through the content and the online branding, you can build relationships and<br />

trust and drive clients to your website to make a purchase. Content does take<br />

time and energy to create, however there is very little you<br />

can’t delegate these days if you don’t want to learn how to<br />

do it yourself.<br />

3. The right team that you can Delegate to<br />

You are not really a lifestyle entrepreneur and you don’t<br />

have time freedom, until you have a trusted team to<br />

delegate to, everything that you do and everything that<br />

you cannot do well.<br />

Selecting and training the right people takes time to<br />

start with, but eventually if you want to grow from<br />

solopreneur/freelancer to a business owner working<br />

on your own terms, its your team that will give you the<br />

freedom to work when you want and from wherever<br />

you want.<br />

My team is placed around the world and we use project<br />

and team management tools like Trello and Basecamp, to<br />

manage projects and be in constant contact daily. I have<br />

found this more effective and productive, than gathering<br />

everyone in an office.<br />

Do you want to know more about how you can build your<br />

lifestyle business and your personal brand? Follow me on<br />

social media for daily insights!<br />

Pavlina Papalouka is an award winning international<br />

speaker, entrepreneur, author and coach and through her<br />

work she educates and empowers entrepreneurs to build<br />

successful businesses and brands and become the No1<br />

authority brand in their niche. She does that through her<br />

company AwakenSpace Education which runs live events,<br />

seminars and online mentoring programs, in the areas<br />

of Personal Development, Entrepreneurship, Personal<br />

Branding and Social Media. Find out more about her work<br />

and connect with her on www.pavlinapapalouka.com and<br />

on Social Media @pavlinapapalouka.<br />

52


New Forest National Park<br />

Choose from four stunning country hotels with award-winning<br />

restaurants, welcoming bars and comfortable beds to sink into. Explore<br />

ancient woodlands, open heathlands, coastal paths and picturesque<br />

villages with free roaming ponies and donkeys. A place untouched by time<br />

and perfect for a relaxing break. We’re family and dog friendly too!<br />

Quote ‘St Raphael’ to receive 10% off accommodation and 15% off dining.<br />

www.newforesthotels.co.uk 0800 44 44 41


June, 2018<br />

Front of the House<br />

Eleni Liatsou (F&B)<br />

Back of the House<br />

Lefki Anastasiou (H/K)<br />

July, 2018<br />

Front of the House<br />

Marianna Hadjisterkoti (F&B)<br />

Back of the House<br />

Stelios Vasilopoulos (Kitchen)<br />

August, 2018<br />

Front of the House<br />

Szymon Jedrzejczyk (Sailor’s)<br />

Back of the House<br />

Nikos Tryfonos (Eng)<br />

employees<br />

our<br />

of the year!<br />

September, 2018<br />

Front of the House<br />

Yiannis Kolonios (F&B)<br />

October, 2018<br />

Front of the House<br />

Dora Antoniou (F/O)<br />

Back of the House<br />

Constantinos Onisiforou (IT)<br />

Back of the House<br />

Panicos Karamanis (Gardens)<br />

Every year we celebrate and recognise the Resort’ s employees who have made<br />

an outstanding contribution to their workplace. This year is no different. Our goal<br />

as a five star Resort is to give our guests a place to call a second home, to create<br />

memories that will last a lifetime with luxury reserved for everyone!<br />

November, 2018<br />

Front of the House<br />

Natalie Mealing<br />

Back of the House<br />

Effie Charalambous (Accounts)<br />

So without further ado, here are our awarded employees of 2018!<br />

March, 2018<br />

Front of the House<br />

Evangelos Evangelidis (F&B)<br />

April, 2018<br />

Front of the House<br />

Viacheslav Kostidis (F/O)<br />

Back of the House<br />

Kyprianos Erakleous (Eng.)<br />

Back of the House<br />

Michalis Michail (Kitchen)<br />

Of the Year, 2018<br />

Front of the House<br />

Apostolis Sylias (F&B)<br />

Back of the House<br />

Kyprianos Erakleous (Eng.)<br />

May, 2018<br />

Front of the House<br />

Apostolis Sylias (F&B)<br />

Back of the House<br />

Christos Kantzias (Stores)<br />

Photos from the end of the Year party<br />

in honor of our Employees of the Year!<br />

56 57

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