http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com Welcome to our new weblog. On this site you will find an archive of articles and information, as well as news and feedback on a broad spectrum of topics. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:59:27 +0000 en hourly 1 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/vanilla-go-on-a-culinary-voyage-of-discovery/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vanilla-go-on-a-culinary-voyage-of-discovery http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/vanilla-go-on-a-culinary-voyage-of-discovery/#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:05:20 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=853 Vanilla can easily be described as one of the coolest new eateries in town. Descending steps from street level you have the impression of entering a club, a sensation that is enhanced as you step into the Vanilla Lounge, the bar and lounge area that makes up the ‘vanilla flower’ as it were. Following this theme the tones are soft creams, diffused with coloured lighting that creates a wonderful blend of vodka bar cool and retro futurism. Call me crazy but the latter always gets me a little excited. No dreary standard contemporary décor here then; that interior designer was not hired for the job. Instead, this is definitely a place where you could picture the cool set. In fact, you feel pretty cool just sitting here, reclining on sculpted seats and ordering one of the vanilla shakes that the Vanilla Lounge specialises in. If the lounge is the ‘flower’ then the restaurant is the ‘vanilla pod’. Soft, light shades turn to an ambient black punctuated by warm lighting to create an intimate dining environment. The same can be said of the scale, for while it seats enough people to create a lively atmosphere it is in no way cavernous. Romantic tables for two alternate with cosy booths, another personal favourite. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/vanilla-go-on-a-culinary-voyage-of-discovery/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/royal-siam/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=royal-siam http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/royal-siam/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 11:05:41 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=770 At once mysterious and welcoming, Thailand is a tropical paradise with hidden depths beyond its beaches, spa resorts and nightlife. Typically South East Asian, Thailand is the confluence of three great cultures. Dominated for centuries by the neighbouring Khmer, the people of Thailand have also been strongly influenced by India and China. From early Hindu influences through to Buddhist conversion, the Thai have borrowed from their Indian and Chinese neighbours to create a distinctive identity of their own. While many of these traditions may have their origins in the India of classical times, and while a large percentage of the population is of Chinese extraction, the resulting mix is a spicy blend that can be rightly labelled as Thai. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/royal-siam/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/property/daniel-libeskind-villas-marbella/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=daniel-libeskind-villas-marbella http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/property/daniel-libeskind-villas-marbella/#comments Fri, 13 May 2011 09:26:44 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=716 With an ultramodern project designed by American architect Daniel Libeskind, the man charged with designing the new World Trade Centre site in New York, Marbella has attracted a project of true architectural significance. One of the leading architects of our time, Daniel Libeskind has also added to an already impressive list of great American designers. A sought-after guest lecturer at universities around the world, his work is inspired by the possibilities of a new era in which technology, media and novel materials are pushing the definitions of conventional living spaces towards new boundaries. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/property/daniel-libeskind-villas-marbella/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/environment/classic-safari/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=classic-safari http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/environment/classic-safari/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:22:39 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=695 It is hard these days to see and experience the Africa of old, as described by the likes of Ernest Hemingway in the days of the classic safari, when wildlife roamed the open African savannah and tom-toms sounded from within hidden villages. Fortunately there are still pockets where Africa lives on in all its glory. One such pocket, indeed a sizeable one, is Namibia. Situated to the northwest of South Africa, this is a country that stands out for its peace, stability and relative prosperity. Quite in contrast to most of the continent, it is not plagued by coups d’etat, unrest and famine, but has enjoyed many years of growth, building on natural resources such as minerals, its wildlife and scenic beauty, and a population that is small enough in relation to resources to allow a good standard of living.]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/environment/classic-safari/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/environment/hotel-hermitage-a-little-palace-in-the-mountains/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hotel-hermitage-a-little-palace-in-the-mountains http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/environment/hotel-hermitage-a-little-palace-in-the-mountains/#comments Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:35:25 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=562 Marbella is best known for its luxurious seaside resorts, but travel just a little inland, into the foothills of the mighty mountain ranges that run parallel to the coast, and you will find some truly gorgeous boutique hotels set amid the beauty of Andalusian nature.]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/environment/hotel-hermitage-a-little-palace-in-the-mountains/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/environment/in-search-of-peace-nature-and-unspoiled-charm/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=in-search-of-peace-nature-and-unspoiled-charm http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/environment/in-search-of-peace-nature-and-unspoiled-charm/#comments Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:00:03 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=513 Normally, beach holidays are not our thing. In fact, most holidays will see us soaking up a little culture and excitement in a major city or alternatively heading into the mountains for a weekend retreat from modern life. After a summer of dodging the heat, however, the idea of lazing on the beach sounded just right, and where better to do it than the sandy shores of Spain’s southern Atlantic coastline. We chose El Rompido because it looked good, boasted of being an environmentally friendly resort and because the local El Fuerte Suites hotel had a great offer on. To be fair we didn’t know much about this little spot other than that it is roughly between the Doñana nature reserve and the border with the Algarve. Given that most coastal resorts never seem to be quite as nice as they look in the pictures, maybe my expectations weren’t too high when we set off on the 3.5-hour journey.]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/environment/in-search-of-peace-nature-and-unspoiled-charm/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/property/sustainable-development/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sustainable-development http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/property/sustainable-development/#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:11:19 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=121 Marbella is an excellent brand name, but the criticism that is levelled at it most frequently touches on those factors, which are perceived to detract from its desirability: overdevelopment, crowding, insufficient infrastructure, poor town planning and a product whose sheer volume is moving it downscale. As the Costa del Sol expands, quite literally, we will have to become increasingly efficient in our use of resources...]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/property/sustainable-development/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/copywriting/cork-vs-plastic/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cork-vs-plastic http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/copywriting/cork-vs-plastic/#comments Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:13:50 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/copywriting/cork-vs-plastic/ For centuries, in fact for about as long as people can remember, wine has been sealed with cork stoppers. So close is this link that you can’t really think of the one without the other, and indeed, the humble cork is a wondrous thing. Wholly natural, it is flexible and durable, forming an excellent seal to a bottle, yet one that allows itself to be extracted with relative ease. What’s more, it forms the basis of a noble, age-old industry that has become a part of the physical landscape and human fabric of countries like Spain and Portugal.]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/copywriting/cork-vs-plastic/feed/ 1 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/global-warningclimate-change/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=global-warningclimate-change http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/global-warningclimate-change/#comments Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:43:36 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/global-warningclimate-change/ Pollution, global warming and climatic change have been a source of debate for as long as most of us can remember. Recent events suggest that we may not have the luxury of debating about such issues for much longer.]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/global-warningclimate-change/feed/ 0