A social worker in the north of London for many years, Peter Ellineas one day decided he had had enough of hearing the sound of sirens in the streets of London night and day; he had had enough of the indifference of his peers to the sufferings of others and that it was high time for him to give in to the lure of what brochures claim is a paradise.

So, he packed his bags, stuffing in the best that England had given him – that includes his Mauritian born wife - and settled in the country of “pena problem.” (no problem). “Every time I hear a Mauritian say ‘pena problem’, I know that means there will be a problem”, he says laughing. It all started while Peter and his wife Veena were building their house in Beau-Bassin. “It was a right headache, you constantly had to supervise the work and the minute you found something wrong and asked them to correct it, they’d look at you and say those two words. And I just knew then that more supervising would have to be done!”

Peter has a dream and has come to Mauritius in the hope of making it come true. It’s about plain old snooker. “I have always been fascinated by what I call the green baize (snooker table) and, for as long as I can remember, snooker has been a part of my life. If I can share this passion together with its techniques with young Mauritians, then I’d be a happy man.” As a snooker coach, Peter already has a few students although he regrets that “this sport has not quite caught on the country yet.”

Having been born and bred in busy, hectic London, does he not miss it? “Of course I do but you cannot have it all”, replies an adamant Peter. There are other things that compensate for the homesickness though, insists the snooker coach. “It is this natural blending of many cultures in Mauritius. And the kindness of people. When you ask people for directions, some are even prepared to walk with you to take you to your destination. Amazing! Amazing!”, he recalls in wonderment.

Any disillusions about the country? “Not really, in many ways Mauritius has outweighed my expectations but let’s say that what the brochures sell doesn’t reflect reality. The first time I saw shanty towns, I was quite taken aback, I can tell you that!” says the man.

Intensity of purpose characterizes this Londoner- he is intense about everything and he takes life seriously. He needs to ponder about things, needs to find answers. That’s one of the main reasons why he is also passionate about astrology. “The complexities of astrology amaze me – as they would amaze a true Capricorn!”

Cappy also lives in his own world. “I have my own museum upstairs; it consists of my personal collection of videos, books, CDs and I spend all my time there.” Is he hiding from something? “No, but if you read the news, you get the impression of a hostile and negative world out there. I have no place for negativity in my life, that’s why I swapped sirens for snooker!”