Holiday Residence in Mozambique for the Prince of Orange and Family: 2008-2012 - Page 3

Regina · #41 09-10-2008, 08:27 AM

We all know that poor countries in Africa need strong investments like this one. Mozambique is not only beautiful... it is just one of the most beautiful places in the world! IMO, it's Africa's best secret

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucien

The Princess said they didn't wish for another luxury resort with deeply impoverished locals surrounding it,but an attribution to develop the country,and hopefully others will follow their example.

The most horrible thing about a holiday is when you are visiting a beautiful country and poor locals walk around you asking you money... I hope this project can bring some of the splendor that Mozambique used to have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucien

Bom dia but I know you will be proven wrong here.They will mix and learn to know the locals,like Prince Claus did with his sons while in Africa and the Antilles,that is the general idea.Different from what portuguese ex-colonials would do,yes,but then we're talking Oranges.Not cynical,just to the point dear Menarue.

With all the respect, if anyone is wrong it's you, lucien.

I don't think you know much about Mozambique's history so I suggest you to study a bit more about it before you post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alisa

I know nothing about van Bommel or what his true motives are but his question and comments are valid and sound reasonable.
When rich, wealthy, white, and titled Europeans want to set up a " luxury community" in one of the poorest countries in Africa, one doesn't have to be a sociology major to raise an eyebrow.

Well, obviously they are not into this project just to be kind with the people of Mozambique. I truly believe this will improve the life of some locals but no one believes that the royal couple would invest there if they were not going to earn a lot of money. IMO, the reasons for this investment are only 3: nice holiday+privacy+money. But if this will help someone (I hope it does), then good.

carlota · #42 09-10-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina

Well, obviously they are not into this project just to be kind with the people of Mozambique. I truly believe this will improve the life of some locals but no one believes that the royal couple would invest there if they were not going to earn a lot of money. IMO, the reasons for this investment are only 3: nice holiday+privacy+money. But if this will help someone (I hope it does), then good.

you are mentioning 'investment' as if they were going to earn money from this or in the most lucrative sense of the word. they are obviously not earning money, just 'investing' themselves (their own money) into a family holiday house somewhere else. the only 'receipt' they get from it is a nice holiday and privacy, in your own words. what they get is, hopefully, money (from the crown princely couple) and hopefully the potential idea of marketing the place and in the future benefiting from other tourists looking for similar conditions.

yes, they don't do this to benefit the locals only - having a nice house abroad and privacy is also top of the list. however, their intentions (and what they receive from this) is nothing that can qualify as 'earning a lot of money' in my opinion.

Menarue · #43 09-10-2008, 10:03 AM

One thing I am certain of is that if the Dutch Royal Family do meet the locals they won´t be recognized and even if someone tells them who they are it won´t make much difference the people are friendly to everyone.

lucien · #44 09-11-2008, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Menarue

One thing I am certain of is that if the Dutch Royal Family do meet the locals they won´t be recognized and even if someone tells them who they are it won´t make much difference the people are friendly to everyone.

Oh yes,I believe that too.Same happened when the boys were young and Prince Claus often took them to Tanzania,where he grew up,and to Kenia where grandpapa Bernhard had a home.The "boys",like Alexander once said,might be white on the outside but they have an African heart beating within,meaning ofcourse they all have a deep rooted love for Africa.No doubt they will pass that along to their children,it will come natural.

Menarue · #45 09-11-2008, 06:45 AM

When I lived in Guinea-Bissau, I would occasionally see people all dressed up and walking to the airport. Why? Someone would pass the word that there was to be a "party" at the airport and that way when there was any visiting dignitary from anywhere they would get a wonderful reception and everyone had a wonderful time drum beating, dancing, waving.... I bet the person being welcomed that way was surprised to find how popular they were.

Regina · #46 09-11-2008, 07:19 AM

I am sure Amalia, Alexia and Ariana will love Africa as much their father does. :) No one can forgets the african sunset, and those wonderful beaches lands where children can play all day. A close cousin of mine always says that when he remembers Mozambique, he still feels the smell of that fresh and fertile land.

They will have the chance to learn a bit of the Portuguese since it is the official language of Mozambique. But it won't be difficult for the children since they are familiar with the Spanish.

lucien · #47 10-08-2008, 05:57 PM

It is not sure the Princely couple will indeed have a house build in Mozambique.During the debate at Parliament today the PM made it clear that a go-ahead isn't certain,ao,due to extreme security costs.The PM didn't go into detail on the latter,but it is about to be cancelled as it seems more and more highly unpractical.

Distance isn't a problem,people fly to far holiday destinations all the time.It is security foremost.

Menarue · #48 10-08-2008, 06:11 PM

By that they mean the cost of sending Dutch security officers with them? That would cost a lot and if they actually bought a place in Mozambique I should imagine they would like to spend quite some time there.
These days you can be in Mozambique very quickly. My first flight there took 30 hours, the first leg in a Super Constellation with few hours in a hotel in Beira, then on to my destination via Lake Niassa to Nampula in a Dakota. For the whole flight there I had, with the Captain´s permission, my pet Pomeranian dog on my knee.
I remember when the pilot of the Dakota took the plane down to show us a herd of elephants I was so scared I must have been the only passenger that didn´t look. Thank goodness for that wonderful scene in the film "Out of Africa" I was able to see what I very stupidly missed.

lucien · #49 10-08-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Menarue

By that they mean the cost of sending Dutch security officers with them? That would cost a lot and if they actually bought a place in Mozambique I should imagine they would like to spend quite some time there.
These days you can be in Mozambique very quickly. My first flight there took 30 hours, the first leg in a Super Constellation with few hours in a hotel in Beira, then on to my destination via Lake Niassa to Nampula in a Dakota. For the whole flight there I had, with the Captain´s permission, my pet Pomeranian dog on my knee.
I remember when the pilot of the Dakota took the plane down to show us a herd of elephants I was so scared I must have been the only passenger that didn´t look. Thank goodness for that wonderful scene in the film "Out of Africa" I was able to see what I very stupidly missed.

A "Super Conny"?Dearest Menarue,even I remember them.....beautifull!

**Marengo** · #50 10-12-2008, 03:22 PM

According to the newspaper 'Telegraaf' the prince is stil waiting for the approval of the PM. According to the newspaper the security costs in Mozambique will be much higher than in f.e. Tuscany, due to higher risks in the latter country. Apparently some sources around the cabinet say that some proposed to have a frigate of the navy (!) in front of the island when the prince and his family are there.

Article in Dutch here.

marmi · #51 10-12-2008, 07:58 PM

A navy frigate?! Well I'd never want anything to happen to them but thats quite an extreme measure to have to go to.

sneeuwklokje · #52 10-13-2008, 04:27 AM

As much as I love my RF, I'm not going to pay taxes over my hard earned money to give them a navy vessel for their security!! There are plenty of remote spots left in Europe imo for them to have a holidayhome.

lucien · #53 10-13-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneeuwklokje

As much as I love my RF, I'm not going to pay taxes over my hard earned money to give them a navy vessel for their security!! There are plenty of remote spots left in Europe imo for them to have a holidayhome.

No hype please.No-one said anyone needed your tax money.

It is just the Telegraaf that mentions that,in all the hullabaloo of the gossip rag it is.
It just turned out too unpractical an idea after all to have a holiday home there.

Remote spots?There are no such heavens in Europe left.

Btw,it took ye'll a while to react and "scream",I initially posted this days earlyer...

Regina · #54 10-13-2008, 10:33 AM

[quote=lucien;836621]

Quote:

It is just the Telegraaf that mentions that,in all the hullabaloo of the gossip rag it is.
It just turned out too unpractical an idea after all to have a holiday home there.

Yes, it must be just a rumour. It is ridiculous to get a navy vessel (!) to defend their security on vacation.

Quote:

Remote spots?There are no such heavens in Europe left.

There are remote and beautiful spots in Europe... Senja Island in Norway is a good example. But of course the weather is not the same as in Mozambique.

sneeuwklokje · #55 10-13-2008, 10:50 AM

There are lots of such heavens left in Europe, particularly in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal etc. You just have to look for them. They don't seem to have too much trouble around their present holiday home in Italy, don't they? They have arrangements with the press in which they grant them one fotoshoot per holiday and are left alone for the rest. I don't understand why they have to go to Mozambique (no matter what beautifull country that is) to get some privacy. Seriously, our Royals don't have such a hard time with the press.

Menarue · #56 10-13-2008, 11:10 AM

I love Mozambique but I still don´t understand why they have to go there and if there is any problem with security, or paying for security, go somewhere else.

Regina · #57 10-13-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Menarue

I love Mozambique but I still don´t understand why they have to go there and if there is any problem with security, or paying for security, go somewhere else.

Maybe because they didn't choose Mozambique only to spend nice vacation but also to make financial investments there.

Menarue · #58 10-13-2008, 12:32 PM

Well that is a thought isn´t it? If they bought or built a house there you can be sure there would be lots and lots of people following them, in fact it would become a very desirable holiday venue in a very short time.

ashelen · #59 10-13-2008, 02:20 PM

I think it is too extravagant and on top of that with the kind of money that they have why do they want to tie themselves in only one spot vacation, they can take the girls to differents places to get already educted in vacations! and it is a lot of other places that they can go in europe or islands in the carabean whenre they can be far from the press! of, course may be it is all about investing money and duplicate thir assetss! who knows ................

**Marengo** · #60 12-23-2008, 05:54 AM

In an interview with the Telegraaf the Prime Minister says that he think that the holiday house in Mozambique will be possible after all. PM Balkenende also says that the security costs are very over-estimated in the press/parlament.

Article in Dutch: Groen licht voor prinselijke villa - Binnenland - Telegraaf.nl [24 uur actueel, ook mobiel] [binnenland]