<B>Once was not enough?</B>

The first time John visited Mauritius was way back in 1984 and he has been back every year since. In 1999, he decided to settle permanently with his wife and two children. He came as director of ?INTER-OCEAN?, whose initial business was asset finance but which now also deals with aviation, captive insurance and offshore management.

John enjoyed visiting Mauritius and found the people friendly; he loved and still enjoys the Mauritian atmosphere. His love for Mauritius can be seen through his involvement in several projects to promote the Mauritian economy. He was involved in the building of Northfields International High School, of which he is now the chairman; he has a small interest in a fish farm on the East coast with other investors, and he has been a member for six years now of ?The Circle?, a charity group of 45 businessmen that has existed for 15 years.

Although he is very fond of our island, he doesn?t seem to have fallen in love with our homemade cigarettes, I thought to myself, as he took a puff on his Malboro before continuing ! But I didn?t dare ask, he seemed a little shy?

John is such a golf fan that ?golf? could well be his middle name ! He is a member of the Belle Mare as well as the expatriate golf club and enjoys a game on the green at least three times a month. As to whether or not he could have been a ?Tiger Woods?, no one knows, his golfing skills are kept secret from us?

Not only is John an amateur golf player, he also likes touring the beautiful blue sea and visiting our fish in his boat as well as flying around our island getting a magnificent bird?s eye view, a pleasure he shares with friends in his partner-owned aircraft! Lucky thing! But it is not all blue skies and sunshine, once you get on the road! John didn?t take long to adapt to his new life but he admits he had a few difficulties adapting to Mauritian driving. And I quite understand him!

In spite of the fact that John finds his lifestyle a little more humble here, this jolly but timid South African prefers living on our little island. He welcomes with open arms what nature has to offer and is thrilled to have the opportunity to mix with the wide variety of cultures in Mauritius, something he would miss if he had to leave tomorrow.

The decor of his office has a strong African influence, so he isn?t really far from home? but, before thinking of office design, it was ?a bit of a battle to find trained and motivated staff?, says John. But it is encouraging to see foreigners who give a chance to Mauritian potential.

There really is an inter-ocean feeling coming from this South African, who has made of Mauritius his home away from home!