Blog – Page 27 – Papapreneur

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Dining With Orangutans And Riding Elephants in Bali Zoo

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Papapreneurs Can Now Take Their Children To Dine With Orangutans And Ride Elephants in Bali Zoo

Papapreneurs might be intrigued to know that although breakfast might be an everyday thing, but having breakfast with Orangutans, now that would be a one-of-a-kind experience! For the first time in Indonesia, the award-winning Bali Zoo has launched a ‘Breakfast with Orangutans’ program that takes visiting the zoo to the next level. Now, you are not only able to breakfast like a king but breakfast with one of the noblest creatures in the jungle – the charismatic orangutan. This is the perfect family adventure and a great opportunity to teach your children about the wonderful world of animals.

The package comes with a hotel pick-up straight to the zoo. Once arrived, you can breathe the fresh air of Gianyar, feel the breeze, embrace the light morning fog, and hear the chirping birds as the zoo animals are just waking up ready to invigorate your senses for an amazing day ahead.

The Zookeepers are on hand to guide you to see the playful orangutans enjoying their Kampung Sumatra playground by the zoo’s Gayo Restaurant which also allows you to witness the alluring beauty of Bali Zoo’s elephants relaxing in the Elephant Pool which is the largest of its kind in Indonesia measuring 1000 m² fenced by a limestone relief wall inspired by the ruins of Angkor Wat.

Located strategically in the heart of Bali Zoo, you can enjoy an open-air view of the elephant trail complete with its lush garden full of dazzling tropical birds. During your time at Gayo Restaurant you will enjoy a scrumptious breakfast served alongside the beautiful Orangutans and Elephants.

Your breakfast includes an assortment of refreshing tropical fruits and fruit juice followed by freshly baked bread and a choice of main courses ranging from traditional Indonesian breakfast of Nasi Goreng Fried Rice to the more Western-style Buttermilk Pancakes, children-friendly breakfast cereals and much more.

You will also be able to enjoy the unique flavour of Balinese coffee or traditional English Breakfast tea to complete a perfect ending to your breakfast dining experience.

Although the Orangutans are the main charm of the experience, you will also be able to feed the elephants and get to hold and take pictures with the tropical birds before touring the rest of Bali Zoo. What better to start your morning than seeing the adorable animals of Bali Zoo who are guaranteed to make your visit to Bali Zoo one you will remember with fond memories long after the wonderful day ends.

A trip to Bali Zoo is no ordinary day out.

It’s not just orangutans, you and your family will be greeted by different species of deer and wallabies who were all eager to make your acquaintance.

The next part of your adventure can include seeing the Bali Zoo’s Sumatran elephants. These critically endangered elephants live up to 70 years old on average and Bali Zoo is doing a wonderful job protecting these gentle giants.

Children will be delighted with their first encounter with the Northern Cassowary. A cousin of the Ostrich and Emu, the flightless Cassowary is on the world’s most endangered species list with only around 1500 surviving in the wild. It can reach speeds of up to 50 kph through dense rainforest and is the most dangerous bird in the world. Cassowaries are descended from dinosaurs and have a helmet-like structure on top of their heads called a casque which many dinosaurs are believed to have had.

Another great thing about Bali Zoo is they encourage safe interaction at all stages with their wildlife so if you fancy feeding a giant saltwater crocodile…

… or swinging some meat towards the jaws of an African lion…

… or getting up close and personal with a Bengal Tiger then Bali Zoo is the place for you. You really get to be feet away from this beautiful animal and get to experience first-hand the size and sheer power of this magnificent beast as it devours the food you feed it.

Another of the zoo’s great attractions is Jacky the Bornean Orangutan. He is 35 years old and is in need of a new home so Bali Zoo is campaigning to raise money for him. I was fascinated to discover that this dignified gentleman of the jungle shares 97% of his DNA with humans!

Bali Zoo looks after many other exciting animals and even has a petting area for young children. The zoo is perfect for families and is a must-see for all those visiting Bali as it really gives you an experience you won’t get elsewhere.

For prices and to find out more information, please visit bali-zoo.com

Bali Zoo
Jl. Raya Singapadu, Singapadu, Kec. Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80582, Indonesia
+62 361 294357
www.bali-zoo.com

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14 min read

Papapreneur Behind The Wheel: Lexus RX 450h Premier

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The Lexus RX has proved hugely popular since its 1998 launch with people who want the flexibility of an SUV with the comfort of a premium-quality saloon, all contained in an attractive and stylish package. The new RX sustains this successful formula while making a leap forward in design. Its mixture of sharp creases and curves links it to the contemporary styling displayed by other recently launched Lexus models. British actor Jude Law (papa of 5 children) was the ambassador for the Lexus RX.

Auto Express voted the third-generation RX luxury SUV as the UK’s most reliable car in their Driver Power survey. The fourth-generation luxury crossover benefits from a re-engineered hybrid powertrain and a new petrol turbo engine. It also offers sophisticated safety and driver assistance technologies and new convenience features and comes equipped as standard with Lexus Safety System+. All these innovations and more add extra appeal to the RX, historically Lexus’s best-selling model worldwide.

We were delighted to have a test drive of the Lexus for a recent trip to the Cotswolds. It has a stylish, elegant and modern exterior. Lexus’s mission was to create a stronger and more athletic body style and improve cabin ergonomics, while preserving the RX’s established luxurious character. They certainly have achieved this. The external creases and curves capture the design language that’s evident in the sheet metal treatment of other recent Lexus models, such as the IS, NX and RC. Sadly as my lady states, it doesn’t come with Jude himself, however they both do look as stylish as each other and belong on the red carpet.

Noticing Jude Law has fashionably styled his pocket square with the Lexus in white…

The drive is smooth, efficient and comfortable. Gliding along the M4 was a dream and made a long journey very pleasant.

The driver and front passenger seats sit 19mm lower than in the previous RX, allowing for excellent headroom. The steering wheel has been repositioned, with steering column angle reduced by two degrees and the wheel set closer to the driver. This makes for a comfortable and more involving driving position.

Lexus has paid special attention to the comfort of rear-seat passengers, and by lowering the rear floor section has produced a seating position that bears comparison with the LS limousine. There is plenty of headroom – as before – together with more legroom, thanks to the increase in the car’s wheelbase. The three rear seats have an increased angle of recline and cushion slide adjustment (in a 60:40 split configuration). The seats are easy to fold when more load space is required, using levers by the side of the seats or in the luggage area.

The cargo space hasn’t been compromised by the changes to the rear of the cabin and provides enough room for four large suitcases or multiple golf bags. A space saver spare wheel and jack are provided as standard, stored in an area beneath the boot floor.

The new RX is the first Lexus to offer the convenience of a smart power tailgate (standard on Luxury grade and above). If you are carrying bags or luggage, there’s no need to fumble for your key fob or reach for the tailgate release button to open up the boot. Instead, you can just place your hand over the Lexus emblem on the tailgate to operate the mechanism – you don’t even have to touch it.

A sensor recognises the key fob in your pocket or bag and your presence at the rear of the vehicle to open the tailgate. The system will work even if you are wearing gloves, and with an elbow motion if both your hands are full.

After a little break we popped down to the butterfly park… You really do notice that the new-look instrument panel incorporates the world’s largest colour head-up display (standard on Premier grade) which projects key information and data at the base of the windscreen in the driver’s eyeline. For the first time the range of data includes adaptive cruise control status, speed limits and pedestrian and Pre-Crash Safety warnings.

Models equipped with Lexus Premium Navigation benefit from a central 12.3-inch dashboard monitor (an eight-inch monitor is featured on other versions), designed for ease of use and high visibility, whether scrolling through function menu screens, using maps or accessing the RX’s multimedia and audio systems.

Looking out the window I spied this beauty…

A classic car has its place but the new RX provides a wider field of vision through the windscreen and over the bonnet. This improves safety and also helps the driver gain a better sense of the vehicle’s width when manoeuvring into parking spaces. Better visibility has also been obtained by repositioning the door mirrors, which sit slightly further back, reducing the blind spot. The front pillars have also been made thinner, giving a cleaner, more minimalist appearance. Allowing you to just enjoy the view and the drive.

For those of you who want to get under the hood, I love this representation of the car.

The new RX 450h’s full hybrid system benefits from a re-engineered 3.5-litre direct injection V6 petrol engine, with maximum output increasing to 259bhp (193kW) and with 335Nm of torque delivered at 4,600rpm. Total system output (engine and electric motor combined) has risen from 295 to 308bhp (230kW).

Combined cycle fuel economy is 54.3mpg for the SE model and 51.4mpg for other grades; respective CO2 emissions levels are 120 and 127g/km (VED bands C and D).

In a first for a Lexus hybrid vehicle, the new RX has a sound generator system that creates a performance-style intake sound. It uses air intake pulses to raise the sound pressure level across three resonance frequencies to heighten the sense of performance. The engine has new-shape intake ports and combustion chambers that generate a high degree of tumble inside the cylinders, improving combustion performance.

This powertrain represents the latest and most advanced iteration of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system. Its key components and control systems have been improved and re-engineered to deliver better fuel economy, lower emissions and better on-road performance.

The transmission features a hybrid front transaxle with a new, water-cooled transmission oil cooler. There is also a pre-loaded differential that supports better performance and straight line stability. The E-Four all-wheel drive system uses an additional electric motor in the rear transaxle, which has a reduction drive, a three-shaft configuration and a weight-saving aluminium case and cover. The E-Four system’s control functions have been improved to give better response when accelerating through bends.

But forgetting the technical stuff for another minute, it is just super stylish. There is Jude copying me matching his blazer to the car… good man – well played!

Stylish and safe, the new RX is equipped with Lexus Safety System +, a multi-feature, integrated safety package that delivers exceptional levels of active safety and driver assistance to help prevent accidents happening. Not only does Lexus provide the most comprehensive active safety provisions in the premium SUV market, it does so at a price that is significantly lower than that of rival systems.

At the heart of the Lexus Safety System + is the Pre-Crash Safety system with Pre-Crash Brake Assist. This uses a front-mounted camera and millimetre-wave radar to detect vehicles and pedestrians on the road ahead. If it calculates a risk of a collision, it automatically warns the driver and the Pre-Crash Brake Assist engages to provide extra braking force the moment the brake pedal is pressed. If the driver fails to react and the system judges a collision to be imminent, the brakes are automatically applied to reduce vehicle speed and the force of any impact.

The same radar unit is used to provide Adaptive Cruise Control, which helps the driver maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, even at very low speeds. Once the way ahead is clear, the RX automatically accelerates to its pre-set cruising speed.

The package also includes Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA), which recognise when the new RX is deviating from its lane on the highway and help the driver steer the vehicle safely back to its correct path. Lane Departure Alert uses a camera on the windscreen to track the vehicle’s course between lane markings painted on the road surface. If it judges that the new RX is about to move out of its lane without the turn indicator being used, the system lights up a warning on the multi-information display and vibrates the steering wheel. It will also apply appropriate steering control force to help bring the vehicle back on course.

Lane-Keeping Assist provides an extra layer of assistance, automatically providing steering inputs to keep the car safely within its lane, notably when the Adaptive Cruise Control is being used. In a first for a Lexus, Lane-Keeping Assist can be used even at very low speed, when the Adaptive Cruise Control is operating. The driver can also choose which alert they prefer (warning sound or vibrating steering wheel) and the sensitivity of the warning, via the multi-information display. The system can also be switched off, if desired.

Lexus Safety System + further includes Automatic High Beam, which detects oncoming traffic and vehicles ahead and automatically switches the headlights between high and low beam. The flagship Premier models feature the Adaptive High-beam System, which gives even better illumination by adjusting light distribution to avoid dazzling other road users, instead of switching the headlights to low beam.

The driver also gains a “second set of eyes” when it comes to important road signs on motorways and major routes. The Traffic Sign Recognition system uses a front camera to recognise principal warning and command signs, which are then replicated on the multi-information and head-up displays, reducing the risk of the driver not being aware of speed limits, lane closures and other important information.

I could go on as I love cars but I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

It looks great wherever you are…

Take her to the water…

Or drive her up to a luxurious hotel. She fits in wherever she goes.

And no one minds if you park right outside the front door!

For more information on the Lexus RX 450h Premier, please visit www.lexus.co.uk

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Driving Experience & BMW Sail Racing Academy Regatta

Papapreneur

On Day 2 of the BMW Sail Racing Academy, we started the morning with a one hour drive from the stunning Castillo Hotel Son Vida to a picturesque Spanish restaurant for breakfast situated between the olive groves. The experience was an instant storyteller tale.

Our travel companion won the car lottery and was given keys to the i8. The BMW i8 is a truly revolutionary vehicle – the first sports car with the consumption and emission values of a compact car. With its innovative construction, ground-breaking use of materials, aerodynamic design and wealth of intelligent BMW EfficientDynamics features, the BMW i8 is probably the most progressive sports car on the market.

Our fellow sailors also were given cars including the i3, 6 series, X6 and of course the i8. I offered a Paper Scissors Stone game to trade places but he was having none of it. At least I got to pose with the i8 again although he very quickly took the keys back and got in the drivers seat ready to take to the hills.

For those interested, I’m wearing MUSTO Tide polo shirt, Tommy Hilfiger Shorts and Helly Hansen Danforth II shoes. Got a lot of compliments on my deck shoes being in grey suede. Kept these for driving although perfect for the boat I had yet to liquiproof these bad boys so kept them on dry land.

My lady and I didn’t hesitate in jumping in as passengers to feel the ride, taking this beauty to the mountains for an early breakfast. The i8 handles corners beautifully. The BMW i8 is extremely low and wide when viewed from the front and has a supercar stance with powerfully sculpted surfaces, precise contours and sporty nature of the interior. Gliding upwards when opened the BMW i8’s spectacular dihedral doors are instantly recognisable and blend perfectly into the smooth lines of the car’s beautifully designed aerodynamic body. The doors are 50% lighter than conventionally built doors making them incredibly easy to open and close. The doors open upwards instead of out, the deep bucket seats let you sink deep into the car, getting you low and improving the driving experience. The only thing better than an i8 is seeing 2 i8’s behind each other handling the corner of a beautiful mountain side.

Our travel companion said, “The automatic drive in the i8 was smooth. The car accelerates with consistent torque only an electric powered car can. The transmission, suspension and programming all work in combination to offer a seamless acceleration. There is no sudden kick of speed and a head jerking moment of acceleration. Instead it’s a constant increasing acceleration from the start.”

He commented, “Putting your foot down and watching the kilometres an hour hurtle up, in the front windscreen projection panel, alongside a projected maximum speed limit, and your navigation route suggestions, was an additional pleasure for a hassle-free driving experience. Then you put it into Sport Mode! The cool blue light panels and speedometer lighting, shift to an intense fury red, the steering wheel feedback increases, and your heart with it!” With our hearts still racing from the exhilarating drive, we stopped off to grab a bite to eat…

and enjoy the view…

Appreciated a fellow teammate’s fantastic footwear which were a pair of boat shoes by Chatham – one of Britain’s key lifestyle footwear brands who have been making classically British styled boat shoes for over 25 years. He told me, “The Chatham Gaff II boat shoes just slip on and are comfortable from the start. No break-in period needed. These shoes are my trusted go to, they can do it all, and fit all the situations in Mallorca comfortably and seamlessly with the look.”

Returned to the boat club for a full day of sail racing. This day was a steep learning curve, with me starting at the helm with the help of our skipper. It allowed me to sit without having to move too much when we tacked. Tacking and jibing without losing speed or metres was the aim of the game but the variable winds made this challenging. This caused for quick action from the crew on the jib, winching in the sheets to cut closer to the wind.

Here are more pictures of what our 6 crews got up to…

Come in for a closer look at what happens on board…

The MUSTO gloves pictured here were provided by BMW and were extremely useful in protecting one’s hands. It paired well with my MUSTO long sleeve top which shielded my arms from the sun and the wind and I felt surprisingly warm although my fellow crew mate had to don his Helly Hansen jacket. Beautiful and red my favourite colour hence my nickname of “Red” I was tempted to push him in as we pulled up to the harbour and keep his jacket.

However as you can see he returned safely and dry. The same could not be said for some of our crew who got slightly wet with the rough weather conditions. Sadly my teammate is still in possession of his jacket. He told me, “The Helly Hansen jacket looks substantial and stylish, yet rolls up well when not in use. The collar is high and comfortable, lined, avoiding the common ‘neck friction rub’ feel, that can easily be present with a water and wind proof jacket.”

Back to the briefing room for some intense racing tactic strategy from two world-class racers Roberto Ferrarese and Markus Wieser.

A couple of hours later I was ready to refuel, because as you can see we had a very busy day! BMW kindly chauffeured us in BMW 6 series convertible to the restaurant.

The scene-stealing BMW 6 Series Convertible offers a unique combination of modern dynamics and timeless elegance. Performance and style are delivered with intelligence and consistency by the BMW brand. The incredible performance of the BMW 6 Series cars comes from the powerful eight-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW 650i as well as the inline six-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW 640i and the inline six-cylinder diesel engine of the BMW 640d. Additionally, BMW EfficientDynamics innovations such as direct petrol injection, Optimum Gear Indicator and Brake Energy Regeneration keep low fuel consumption low.

The restaurant served a fantastic menu which I pointed out to my dining companions as one of them took the opportunity to steal the last olive! I did however get a few compliments on the appropriateness of my Beaufort & Blake shirt which was complete with sailboats. I can’t take the credit for being so prepared as my lady had chosen this shirt when we were introduced to the brand at Chestertons Polo in the Park. If you see a shot of this Beaufort & Blake shirt folded you can note the attention to detail with the sailing boats in the label and cuff. If you look closer at a cuff you might just spot an elephant in the room! Beaufort & Blake do a fantastic selection from ice creams to watermelons and I intend to be sporting their shirts often now as I love the fit and the designs. Time for an early night to fully prepare to take down the competition for a chance to win and go to Copa Del Ray. The next morning Mamapreneur drove us to the boat club in a fabulously nippy BMW i3. Gosh, my girl can put her foot down in more ways than one.

The all-electric BMW i3 is the world’s first mass production model to be designed for sustainability at every stage, from the development of the car to its production and everyday use. As an all-electric car, it generates zero emissions and no odours while in use – which makes it the perfect companion around town. But the BMW i3 is not just a green car. With its agility and acceleration – it takes just 7.3 seconds to sprint from 0 to 62 mph – first and foremost it delivers exceptional driving pleasure as one would expect from BMW. The BMW i3 is proof that responsibility and driving pleasure complement one another to perfection in this modern era of sustainable mobility.

On arrival back at the club, half our boat wanted to name our boat Bulldog as we were an all UK crew, however we came up with Best of British. Getting ready to embark…

All teams focus on the competition ahead…

More sailing and the Regatta was finally upon us…

Returning home to see who had won…

Sadly we did not reign supreme. We were beaten by Falcon who may have been more frightened of a bulldog! Note to self next time consider a fiercer name! We attended the prize giving ceremony where we picked up our prizes. In true British style we reservedly posed for photos albeit slightly drenched from the sailing.

The Falcon took home the winning trophy! And time for more photos of the entire group.

A farewell lunch concluded a fantastic experience. Great company, splendid views and authentic Spanish cuisine.

We were whisked back to the airport in an BMW X6 which was the perfect car for all our luggage!

It feels so fabulous to travel in a convoy of BMW’s. It definitely attracts attention and the cars just stand out on this picturesque backdrop.

The BMW X6 combines the robustness of an SUV, the sporty elegance of a coupé and the luxury of a limousine redefining the Sports Activity Coupé market. The X6 has robust yet sportily elegant styling with the ever prevalent design characteristics which distinguish any BMW of a long bonnet, long wheelbase, short front overhang and set-back passenger cell. The interior of the X6 is plush and luxurious, with rich-looking materials, including Softskin, Fine Brushed Aluminium and Dakota leather upholstery. The BMW X6 takes the dynamism, comfort and safety of the Sports Activity Coupé to a new level through the latest xDrive all-wheel-drive system and and innovative additions to BMW’s suite of electronic driver assistance features. The X6 has great versatility, enhanced standard equipment and superior performance.

Not only do I feel like I learned a lot about sailing. having experienced 5 different types of BMW, I can really see the versatility of the range. So much choice yet no compromise in performance and luxury.

What a weekend… time for a nap…..Zzzzzz…

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A Touch Of Elegance For A London Loving Papapreneur – City Cufflinks

City Cufflinks is proud to announce the UK department store premiere of the London City Cufflinks at Selfridges. The London design is handcrafted in sterling silver in the form of a miniature sculpture of famous London buildings including the Royal Albert Hall, City Hall, St. Paul’s Cathedral and much more. The London City Cufflinks are the perfect Christmas present for dapper city gents and those wanting a stylish momento of London.

This partnership marks a next phase for City Cufflinks, whose design objects are admired by many design aficionados around the world. The London City Cufflinks will feature as part of the Selfridges London themed Christmas gifts.

City Cufflinks captures the essence of world cities like New York City, London, Milan and Amsterdam into a highly detailed silver cufflink design. Each city is a blend of heritage and contemporary experience, resulting into an iconic design. The City Cufflinks brand was set up some 5 years ago and quickly became a worldwide success. The brand is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

A harmonious blend of technology and craftsmanship, the cufflinks are designed by Seroj de Graaf, a Dutch product designer who held a dream of transforming people’s love for cities into a contemporary design classic. “Cufflinks are one of the few accessories for a man to really make a difference in terms of personal style,” says the designer.

Each cufflink is made purely by hand, in sterling silver, combining innovative moulding techniques with the traditional craftsmanship of a silversmith. They are miniature works of art that any man would be proud to wear on his sleeve.

The Amsterdam, London, Milan and New York City designs are available in premium stores in the Netherlands, the UK, Italy and the USA. They are also available online at www.citycufflinks.com

London City Cufflinks® cost £289 and are available from Selfridges and online at www.londoncitycufflinks.co.uk

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L’Orangerie at Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

Papapreneur

For many, Paris is the capital of gastronomy and the city has an incredible interest in cuisine with access to the best ingredients in the world at any time of the year. There is a dynamic in the city that drives master chefs to achieve great heights – the highest of those being the award of Michelin stars. The acclaimed Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris was the first palace hotel in Europe to be home to three Michelin-starred restaurants.

Having collectively been crowned with a total of five Michelin stars at the start of 2017, Le George and L’Orangerie were awarded their first Michelin star joining the Hotel’s French haute cuisine restaurant, Le Cinq, which retained the highest accolade of three Michelin stars for the second consecutive year.

David Bizet, Chef at L’Orangerie, received his first Michelin star in February 2017, less than eight months after the opening of L’Orangerie. He says, “During my 17 years in Le Cinq’s kitchens, I have forged a passion for excellence and it is with the same quest for perfection that I have worked on L’Orangerie’s menu. The Michelin Star received just eight months following our opening, is a reward that honours the tireless work of our teams to create dishes that pay homage to nature and the changing seasons.”

Drawing inspiration from nature and bringing the best out of seasonal and local garden produce, Chef David Bizet’s menu complements the changing seasons, offering what he likes to describe as “a traditional French contemporary cuisine of elegance, refinement and femininity.”

Abalone from Finistère seaweed, black garlic, herbaceous sauce

Bizet’s culinary creations are often described as an artistic composition. The colours and arrangement of the food in his plates come into their own like the palette of a painter whose artistic sensibility lingers on the taste buds. We couldn’t wait to try some of these dishes on our recent visit to Paris and time spent at Four Seasons Hotel George V.

Blue Lobster with salted butter salsify, truffle and craterellus mushrooms

The menu is further brought to life with Pierre-Yves Rochon’s intricate interior design, overlooking the famous Marble Courtyard. 160,000 Carrara marble mosaics cover the floor of the restaurant and 2.5 tons of glass were required in the construction of L’Orangerie, certified by the architectural heritage body Bâtiments de France.

Each guest enjoys a magnificent view of the 400-square-metre (4,300 square foot) Marble Courtyard designed by Jeff Leatham, the Hotel’s talented and long-standing Artistic Director. Chef David Bizet requires his teams to come up with a new dish every day with 5 hours devoted to research and development in the kitchens of L’Orangerie on a daily basis.

Line-caught Sea Bass, marinière of shellfish, cauliflower

David Bizet grew up in Normandy in a family with a passion for cooking and using local ingredients throughout. Bizet’s own love of cuisine was triggered by a desire to pass on this family tradition that valued what was in the plate. He draws inspiration from nature and makes as much use as he can of seasonal and garden produce. His childhood environment taught him to respect nature and its equilibrium.

During his military service in Paris, he was impressed by the team of chefs at the French Senate, all of whom held the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsman of France) title. This team led him to the brigade at Taillevent restaurant, where he met the man who would become his mentor and inspire his career, Chef Philippe Legendre.

In 2016, he rose to a new challenge when he was appointed Chef of the latest signature gastronomic restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel George V, L’Orangerie, a light-filled dining room overlooking the Hotel’s famous Marble Courtyard. Bizet’s goal is to offer a menu in perfect harmony with the Four Seasons.

Chef David Bizet says, “As someone who loves nature, it is important for me to work with the wonderful products of the French regions. My cuisine has a particular elegance and subtlety, and my take on the product can be appreciated in both its taste and visual appearance.”

And just like that we were sitting at our table with a fabulous view across the famous Marble Courtyard bursting with anticipation for the sure-to-be marvellous meal ahead.

To start, some amuse bouche that definitely amused our bouches paired with Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé – one of our favourite pink champagnes.

The bread course was delicious even for something so unassuming. L’Orangerie’s Michelin Star excellence begins even before the starters are on the table with this amazingly light yet crisp exterior of the bread yielding to a soft tender interior – warmed of course and served with beautifully presented butter.

Starters looked amazing – almost too good to eat… but not quite! I was delighted with my Poached Langoustines with seaweeds tartar and creamy roasted hazelnut. The Langoustine was so delicately cooked its soft texture was akin to a hot knife through butter.

My lovely lady had the signature dish of Abalone from Finistère with seaweed, black garlic and herbaceous sauce which was such a deep satisfying green and the abalone had a fantastic texture and flavour.

The next course was the fish. I had another of the signature dishes of the Blue Lobster with salted butter, young carrots with orange and tarragon.

My lady had the Red Mullet à la royal with butternut, olive and foie gras – an inspired choice to pair the fish with the creamy texture of foie gras.

Mains were Pigeon in a bran crust for me, served with turnips, truffle and black olive. The richness of the sauce and earthy truffle complemented the gamey flavours of the pigeon balanced by the saltiness from the black olive.

My lady had the Roasted mallard duck, chanterelles, fig and spiced anchovy.

Moving on to dessert, the showstopping Meringue Flower with fresh raspberries and minty peppermint playing delicately amongst the delicate petals of this visually arresting dessert.

Each flower petal inserted by hand… such dedication to the culinary craft is worthy of L’Orangerie’s Michelin Star and the dessert is definite Instagram material.

I had the Chocolate Leaves and Soufflé with Peruvian dark chocolate and black Cardamom. The juxtaposition of crispy chocolate against the deliciously light chocolate souffle was balanced by the rich dark chocolate sauce and the creamy cardamom ice cream swirl.

To finish, delicate petit fours presented in the same carefully executed manner of all the stunning culinary creations of the entire luncheon. Each dish was paired perfectly with its own wine specially chosen by L’Orangerie’s sommelier to complement the flavours of each dish especially notable was the Gran Reserva 1986 Bodegas Albala dessert wine which was served with my chocolate dessert.

Even after such awe-inspiring lunch dishes, we couldn’t help but wonder at the afternoon tea selection as we walked passed Galerie. Such delectable delights are worthy of the French description Thé Et Goûter which sounds so much more refined that our British version… one might say as refined as these cakes and sweet treats looked!

Chef David Bizet said, “Being Chef at Four Seasons Hotel George V is about bringing an international and Parisian clientele an interpretation of contemporary French cuisine that people can relate to. It’s a real daily challenge; you have come up with new ideas all the time and always improve yourself. My ambition is to surprise, to challenge traditional preconceptions, and give French cuisine a contemporary elegance.”

We have to say Bizet has definitely achieved this ambition to surprise, challenge and present a menu of contemporary elegance here at L’Orangerie. We can’t wait to return to Four Seasons Hotel George V to sample more of his innovative French cuisine with a modern twist.

L’Orangerie
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
31 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France
+33 1 49 52 70 00
www.fourseasons.com/paris
@FSParis

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Henley Royal Regatta: Quintessentially British

Papapreneur

Henley Royal Regatta is a highlight on the summer sporting calendar and British social season. Undoubtedly the best known regatta in the world, the five day event attracts Olympians and rowing enthusiasts from across the world to the two-kilometre stretch of the River Thames. Henley Regatta was first held in 1839 and has been held annually ever since, except during the two World Wars. In 1851 H.R.H. Prince Albert became the Regatta’s first Royal Patron. Since the death of The Prince Consort, the reigning Monarch has always consented to become Patron. This patronage means the Regatta can be called Henley Royal Regatta.

This year, Henley Royal Regatta received a record high of 629 entrants, with international entries having also defied previous records with 165 crews entered from Singapore, China, New Zealand, Canada and the USA amongst others with over 27 nations competing for honours. As many of you know, my lovely lady is an experienced rower herself and has not only coxed for Oxford University during her first degree but has also coxed boats for Cambridge and London. Although more well known for her involvement in University coaching, rowers she’s worked with or coached have been in featured in crews at Henley Royal Regatta over the years.

As the Regatta was instituted long before national or international rowing federations were established, it occupies a unique position in the world of rowing. It has its own rules and is not subject to the jurisdiction either of British Rowing or the International Rowing Federation, but is officially recognised by both these bodies.

Unlike multi-lane international regattas, Henley still operates a knock-out draw with only two boats racing in each heat. This results in up to 90 races having to be organised on some of the five days. The length of the Course is 1 mile 550 yards, which is 112 metres longer than the standard international distance of 2,000 metres. It takes approximately seven minutes to cover, so there are often two races at once on the Course for much of the day. The number of races is, of course, reduced on each successive day, leaving only the Finals to be rowed on the last day.

This year, the Dutch Olympic men’s squad sent a contingent to Henley, including their men’s eight who were winners of the World Cup Regatta in Lucerne and Hollandia Roeiclub went on to win the Grand Challenge Cup for Eights – the most prized Challenge Trophy of the 2016 Regatta.

For the first time, live coverage of the Regatta appeared on BT Sport which helped widen the reach of the World’s most prestigious regatta to an even greater audience in addition to those who already followed the live broadcast of the whole event streamed on the Regatta’s Official YouTube Channel.

Ahead of last year’s regatta, we caught up with Sir Steve Redgrave, Chairman of Henley Royal Regatta, and his fellow Olympic gold medalist Sir Matthew Pinsent. Sir Steve Redgrave is the only British athlete ever to win five consecutive Olympic gold medals and is one of this country’s most inspiring sporting legends so we were very grateful that he made time to speak to us and pose for the camera with my lady and Pinsent.

Those familiar with the Mr Sloan blog will already know I’m into extreme sports and enjoy a sense of adventure, so it was not surprising when my conversation with Sir Steve Redgrave turned to the subject of the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race. The race with its 125-mile route from Devizes in Wiltshire to Westminster Bridge near the Houses of Parliament is considered to be one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges and even Sir Steve was forced to retire from the race in 2012 due to fatigue. Upon hearing my interest in entering the race, Sir Steve advised me to give 2016 a miss to avoid his prediction of unfavourable weather conditions… I’m glad I listened to him as DW2016 saw crews endure incredible conditions with severe weather and safety concerns forcing organisers to stop the race after day 3.

The regatta attracts thousands of visitors who were thrilled by over 200 races of an international standard over the 5-day event. My lady and I were delighted to be invited to take in the ambience whilst enjoying the facilities within the Temple Island enclosure as guests of Smart Group which meant no deck chairs for us!

The Henley Royal Regatta is a standard bearer in excellence and continues to showcase the best of British. The Temple Island Enclosure is widely regarded as one of the finest hospitality facilities on the course, in which to entertain during the regatta and is prominently located moments away from the start. As guests of Smart Group, we enjoyed an delicious four course lunch and afternoon tea prepared onsite by Smart Hospitality under the watchful eye of Head Chef Richard Hawthorn.

Hospitality specialists Smart Experiences offers premium packages to private and corporate groups at some of the UK’s most prestigious and sought after sporting events such as; Royal Ascot, Wimbledon and The Henley Royal Regatta. Smart Experiences tailors each hospitality package to meet the high expectations and demands of their guests.

Smart Group is a dynamic collection of hospitality, catering and event management businesses with over 20 years’ experience; founded and led by CEO, Greg Lawson. The company consists of Smart Hospitality; Smart Live, Smart Experiences, Smart by Angela Hartnett; Smart Christmas Parties, Battersea Evolution and Moving Venue by Smart. Quality, passion and integrity drive all the brands at Smart Group, providing the ultimate experiences across events and hospitality. Their staff are friendly and courteous, this young chap was routing for his old school Radley to win their race. I was tempted but held back in making a quip about the fact they should have the Radley dog as their mascot as for one I am not sure how I know so much about handbags and two we are not in the US and no giant furry animal was seen on the banks, sadly no cheerleaders either.

The bar was positioned so beautifully with the river as it’s backdrop.

A quick hop to the tow path and you can see the action, you have to love it when the winning crew are the crew that matches the colours in your tie – well chosen but sadly not my crew!

The action is intense with the umpire boat following closely behind.

Back across the white picket fence to our enclosure to hear the beautiful sounds of the band…

Then it is time for my tastebuds to be tantalised…

Apart from some very well dressed people at my table this is my view…

As is this!

Lunch began with a starter of salad of rare beef, papaya, crisp vegetables, lemongrass and a muscovado dressing.

However as I have an allergy to beef they kindly brought out this vegetarian creation for me.

Starters were followed by roast hake fillet and crab cannelloni, spinach, cherry vine tomatoes and buttered new potatoes for main course.

Dessert consisted of a cassis parfait roulade with blackberry yoghurt sorbet.

Interested in how Smart Hospitality had everything working so efficiently I had to ask for a quick tour behind the scenes. Have you ever wondered what goes on… well here is a sneak peek.

Every plate so perfect…

Guests outside enjoy the Regatta not always realising how much effort, preparation and planning goes in to running such a tight ship!

So while we get to watch the rowers against the glorious backdrop of Temple Island…

And enjoy the sunshine gently caressing our whiskers…

Smart Hospitality is hard at work prepping for afternoon tea.

Quite a few more to go.

Back to the action outside and time to take a quick stroll by the river to the shopping village before our river trip.

The skies may be appearing grey but the weather is kindly holding out for the crews and as you can see everyone is having a jolly…

Shopping here is akin to a small CLA game fair for rowers!

How majestic!

The crew’s too of course!

For those who want to know a little more about the course here is a map, we were stationed on the far right opposite Temple Island but the shopping village is more towards the centre.

A simpler sign in case you get lost.

Which helps me back to the marque.

The umpire is looking rather serious.

and the filming crew is close by, as my lady explains to me about the form and technique of the crews flying by us.

Time for the boat trip and you can see the river from a totally different perspective. What is this I spy in my Maui Jims! Could it be Sloan!

Waving to the spectators as we go by.

Navigating our way through the river.

We saw a fabulously British sight.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHTyygQgYlf

Then it was time to return to base. We were treated to traditional river cruise as part of our Henley Regatta Smart Experience. Later we returned to the Temple Island Enclosure for an lovely afternoon tea.

Everything delightfully high in sugar content and flavour.

Fresh fruit too in preparation for Wimbledon – bring out the strawberries.

A fabulous time was had by all. A little bit of post prandial dip to accompany my sugar overload and I was ready to take my lady to our next adventure.

Smart Hospitality caters many more events not just Henley, they covered Royal Ascot and are looking after Wimbledon to name just a couple. Look out for them on your travels as their hospitality makes for a special day.

Dapper Chaps
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2 min read

Papapreneurs Need Comfy But Stylish Shoes

KEEN UNEEK always has new colours, styles, and is poised to continue its disruption in the footwear industry yet again – however these are some of my favourite.

Visually disruptive and defying traditional footwear manufacturing, KEEN UNEEK is an avant-garde itinerant offering the ultimate in open air footwear. Blending incredible lightweight comfort and flexibility with extreme breathability, UNEEK is a sandal unlike anything else, with every aspect meticulously designed and executed to compliment the natural shape of the foot to provide a balance of superior feel and movement. UNEEK is a unique and trendy lifestyle oriented shoe that even attracts people who haven’t been sandal lovers until now.

UNEEK now offers a dazzling array of no less than 21 colour and pattern options for both men and women – from solids and stripes to camo-coloured cord and a new 8mm flat cord. Every aspect of UNEEK compliments the natural shape of the foot providing a balance of superior feel and movement.

Ditching traditional machinery and conventional materials for a simple two-cord construction, UNEEK is different. Enjoy custom and secure fit thanks to its free-moving cord structure and a lightweight PU midsole for long-lasting support. An anatomical microfiber footbed, a secure fit lace capture system and a soft microfiber heel back guarantee all day comfort. UNEEKs feature a new environmentally-friendly bio technology: Cleansport NXT natural odour control.

KEEN products are known for their hybrid functionality and versatility, and UNEEK continues that trend. With more than three years of research and development, UNEEK is a sandal unlike anything else.

The diverse KEEN UNEEK collection are available online at www.keenfootwear.com and the sandals cost £79.99

Dapper Chaps
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8 min read

Papapreneur’s Can Take Travel Memories With Them

Look at someone who loves the world and the world of travel and invariable they will be wearing bracelets or bands around their wrists, often made of natural materials and always meaningful. The El Camino bracelet is a stylish bracelet designed to appeal to both men and women that allows you to collect a series of simple yet elegant metal beads called Steps… like steps on your journey of wanderlust… each one representing a country, place or experience that has come to mean something special to you.

It’s a simple idea that allows you to create an individual item of jewellery that represents your entire life experience travelling the world that you can look back on and cherish. El Camino have a easy to use website with lots of images giving you a clear idea of what you’re buying and the bracelet looks even better in person than online.

The bracelets are all handmade in England and come in a range of colours that allow you to choose a bracelet that will always look stylish on your wrist. The bracelet will last you a lifetime as it has been thoughtfully constructed from 4 woven cords, each with a breaking strain of over 34kgs. El Camino has a choice of seven universally appealing colours of bracelet – Black, Chestnut Brown, Forest Green, Purple, Steel Blue and Turquoise. I love the colour choice but chose classic black for my El Camino.

The band is hand made in England to a very high standard and comes in a single bracelet (£21.99) or double bracelet (£31.99 to £36.99) – the double cord is simply wrapped twice around the wrist and allows you to wear the most beads at one time but also looks stylish with just a few beads on it as they rattle around quite pleasantly. Unlike fiddly charm bracelets from a jewellers, the El Camino bracelet has a sturdy polished steel clasp that is ever so easy to use allowing you to take your bracelet on and off as you wish simply with one hand. This is really important for anyone who wants to keep the bracelet looking pristine and avoiding it getting wet. Saying that, the bracelets are made to withstand the elements making them perfect for adventurous travellers who don’t mind a bit of ageing on the bracelet.

Each bead or Step as El Camino call it is made from the finest surgical grade stainless steel, laser engraved and hand polished. One spacer comes with each Step and is cut from real coconut and engraved with the El Camino logo. The spacers help differentiate each Step and create a pleasing alternating look of polished shiny steel and natural brown rings. The El Camino bracelet is built to withstand everything you come across during your travels. El Camino will be a permanent reminder to you of those one-in-a-lifetime experiences and special moments you’ve had along the way.

Each Step is discretely laser engraved with a name. Country Steps (£8.99) have the name of one of 240 different countries so you’re pretty sure to be able to find the country you’re looking for from Afganisthan to Zimbabwe and everywhere in between. Countries are conveniently sorted into small groups in alphabetical order on the El Camino website, perfect for the globe trotting adventurer providing a quick and easy to go through what would otherwise be a very long list.

As well as Country Steps there are also Small Steps (£8.49) which represent popular destinations which aren’t countries such as cities like Amsterdam, Paris, New York; islands like Bali, places like Anghor Wat and the Great Wall of China. Small Steps are slightly narrower than Country Steps.

However if you can’t find what you’re looking for or want to create a Step that’s unique and special to you, El Camino allow you to order your own bespoke Country or Small Step (£20.49 & £19.99). It can say anything you like up to 29 characters for a Country Step and 32 characters or less on a Small Step – this allows you to be fully creative and individual and covers just about anything you want to say from names of places to events to special messages and even people’s names!

Also available for the ultimate globe trotter are special Region Steps (£10.99) handmade from glass in England and available in different colours. These are not engraved but each colour represents a different region such as Africa, Caribbean, Europe and Scandinavia – 12 regions in all. Whether you just purchase one or strive to own all 12, a Region Step will be a beautiful reminder of your travel memories to a particular special part of the world for you.

As someone who has travelled to many wonderful places in the world, I am really inspired by El Camino. They have created an item of jewellery that allows you to celebrate your love of travel and individual journeys and experiences in a totally customisable and meaningful way. If you’re anything like me you will understand that travel is more than just a holiday. It is an opportunity to create memories and grow as a human being and this stays with you long after the holiday ends. In the same way El Camino allows you to build a permanent reminder of these opportunities and what I love about El Camino is that it grows with you allowing you to add more and more memories to it as you continue to travel the world and travel through life, making the places you’ve visited and the memories you’ve created more permanent for you, your friends and anyone else you run into in the El Camino family.

Your El Camino bracelet will be full of stories and memories which will never leave your side. It can create a unique talking point when meeting new people – great for breaking the ice and perfect to start of an interesting conversation when meeting people for the first time.

If you’re looking for something meaningful as a gift to your globe trotting friend or something to inspire you to continue travelling the world broadening your horizons, we recommend looking at El Camino – the travel bracelet designed by people who love travel for people who love travel.

For more information and to see the full collection, please visit elcaminobracelets.com

Dapper Chaps
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2 min read

Papapreneur Know What The Fox Says – Maude & Fox ‘The Brace’ Shooting Jacket

Tweed with a twist, Maude & Fox is all about making urban country chic come to life through combining traditional materials, mostly tweed, and great design to make contemporary clothes that can be worn by lad or laird alike. Based in rural Dorset, all Maude & Fox clothes are selected from mills in Yorkshire and Scotland. Each garment is made by one person throughout, ensuring that attention to detail and quality are key. Our favourite piece from the new men’s country clothing collection is “The Brace” shooting jacket which brings the traditional shooting jacket bang up-to-date.

‘The Brace’ shooting jacket from Maude & Fox, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to quality and style, is made from water resistant Teflon coated British tweed with stylish twists in the detailing to set it apart. The new shooting jacket is aimed at the discerning chap who wants some individuality in the field or in the town without being too overt.

‘The Brace’ combines function and comfort with clever contemporary styling. Made from 100% British tweed, with a soft anti-pill fleece lining for extra warmth, the jacket also offers superior comfort to allow freedom of movement in the upper body and arms.

Unusual technical detailing includes a vented bellow pocket with the underside pocket flap made in a quirky patriot tweed with a magnetic fastening (much less fiddly on a cold winter morning!), a zipped inside breast pocket for a phone and special fleece lined hand warmer pockets just below the chest. Cut low at the back and high up the neck to keep out draughts – this jacket is a pleasure to wear.

‘The Brace’ Shooting Jacket is £480 available exclusively from Maude & Fox. For more about Maude & Fox and to browse the entire collection, please visit www.maudeandfox.com

Papapreneur

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A Touch Of Elegance For A London Loving Papapreneur – City Cufflinks

L’Orangerie at Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

Henley Royal Regatta: Quintessentially British

Papapreneurs Need Comfy But Stylish Shoes

Papapreneur’s Can Take Travel Memories With Them

Papapreneur Know What The Fox Says – Maude & Fox ‘The Brace’ Shooting Jacket

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