21 September 2008

Money, Money, Money, it's a rich man's world!

All around us banks, building societies and investment houses are crashing and, rather fortunately, being rescued. Soothsayers are proclaiming doom, gloom and despondency and yet, in the very same week, Damian Hirst, the artist, gets millions of pounds for diamond encrusted, pickled pig parts, proving that there is money in the rich man's world. Never is that more true than this week when the Principality of Monaco throws its doors open to all those involved in the world of Superyachts which are, lets face it, the only real way to travel nowadays. At this glittering extravaganza, held each year at the end of September, megayacht builders from around the world display their wares and champagne flows at the numerous parties. This year there have never been so many large new yachts on parade, making their world debuts, most of them costing well over one million euro per metre of length – yes that is per metre not per yacht! The largest yacht on display this year will be Anastasia, built in Holland for a watersport loving family from somewhere confidential but not hard to identify. Want one like it? It's yours for around one hundred million euros. If your budget will not stretch to the yacht how about buying a toy to go on it or get you to it; perhaps a two person submarine, a helicopter or a customized Range Rover. So if you have got it to spare, Monaco might be worth the trip. See you there.

PS. By the way we are reporting about it, not buying!

Michael and Frances Howorth