Richard's Blog - February 2012

An Open Letter to Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, interim President of the Maldives

Dear Mr WaheedIt was a real pleasure meeting you and your delightful wife when I was last in the Maldives. At that time there was a democratically elected government in the Maldives, after many years where that certainly wasn't the case and where opposition members languished in prison and were even subjected to torture.You personally said to me that the Maldives needed a truth and reconciliation commission to examine the past misdeeds and the people who perpetuated them, and asked if I would sp…

Saving the whales is a leviathan task

Today I travel on Necker Belle, with my OceanElders hat on, out to the Atlantic breeding ground for Humpback whales. This will be a day to celebrate the success of the international community in coming together to save these beautiful species.It's strange to think that only 100 years ago the largest employer of people in the United States was the whaling industry. They drove a number of species of whales into extinction. The North Atlantic grey whale for example and the beautiful Stella sea cow …

What is your favourite place to holiday?

Was asked online recently about my favourite places to holiday. One of them is definitely The Lodge in Verbier – here’s a video that really highlights its beauty. Slightly biased!We love creating wonderful new places, but places like this need to be shared. It is a waste to own properties and only use them for six weeks a year. I feel all properties should be fully utilised. With that in mind, if you’re in the mood to treat yourself to a well-deserved break, have a look at Vi…

President Carter’s call for equality

President Carter resigned from his church because it did not allow women to practice in the church.He explained how he reached this extremely difficult decision in protest at the lack of equality for women in his church, and in many walks of life all around the world.“This view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted to one religion or belief. It is widespread. Women are prevented from playing a full and equal role in many faiths,” said President Carter.“At the…

More wonderful things that kids say

There’s been a fantastic response to my recent blog on kids saying the most wonderful things. Here are some of our favourites from all of those sent in:One for us to bear in mind at Virgin Galactic from Tony Koorlander  on Google+: “Dad, why is it that the World is flat when you stand on it, but it's round when you see it from space? - my son aged 5.”Kevin Bird commented on Facebook:  “My youngest Madeleine snuggled into me on the last boat out of Disneyland and…

Proud Dad! Holly in India, helping Free The Children

Proud Dad! Holly in India, helping Free The Children. Read the full article on Holly in India helping Free The Children at the Times of India. Visit Free The Children to find out more.…

Necker animals - first Flamingo egg of the season

Since there were no flamingos left in the BVI 10 years ago, it is always exciting when the first egg of the new season arrives.Necker is one of the few places on earth where flamingos breed annually. Last year over 50 healthy birds were born, bringing the flock size to well over 200, now the biggest in the BVI.We have over 35 nests under construction so are hoping for another successful breeding season. We give them a helping hand by, if necessary, by incubating any eggs that are knocked off the…

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