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Pirates of the Caribbean island up for sale

<p dir="ltr">A Bahamian island, which was the backdrop for two iconic blockbuster films, is now up for sale for the eye-watering price of $150m.</p> <p dir="ltr">The island, known as Little Pipe Cay, was used as a backdrop for two Hollywood films: <em>Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl</em> and <em>Casino Royale</em>, a film in the James Bond franchise.</p> <p dir="ltr">Spanning across over 40 acres of land, the island boasts stunning white-sand beaches and what locals refer to as “Bombay-Sapphire Blue” waters.</p> <p dir="ltr">The main property has 11 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and four cottages, it’s basically like having a private mini resort.</p> <p dir="ltr">The property also has a deepwater dock that’s big enough for a superyacht, so you can host boat parties or simply cruise around with your peers.</p> <p dir="ltr">The lucky buyer will feel like they are on a never-ending getaway, as they can escape into the gardens or take a dip into the Olympic-sized infinity pool, the perfect place to appreciate the stunning tropical scenery.</p> <p dir="ltr">For those looking for some indoor activities, the island also offers a gym and spa, in the fully staffed island so that you will never need to lift a finger.</p> <p dir="ltr">The island is also home to many exotic plants and animals, including dolphins and sea turtles, so for those nature lovers it’s the perfect place to reconnect with mother nature.</p> <p dir="ltr">Alternatively, if you decide you’re bored of the same views, you can hop on a helicopter and fly off to another island or country, as the island also has a helipad for your travelling needs.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: realestate.com.au/ Engel &amp; Völkers Bahamas/ Getty</em></p>

Real Estate

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Why Jonathan Pryce loves a musical

<p>He’s appeared on our screens in <em>Game of Thrones</em> and the <em>Pirates of the Caribbean</em> franchise, but Jonathan Pryce still has a soft spot for his big musical debut.</p> <p>Now 25 years on, the West End musical<span> </span><em>Miss Saigon</em> still captures hearts with its passionate and profound tragedy. A special anniversary documentary takes viewers backstage and behind the curtain in an intimate exploration of how this powerful performance is brought to life. </p> <p>Recorded in one take, <em>Miss Saigon 25th Anniversary</em> is a must-see for musical theatre fans.</p> <p>Jonathan Pryce from the original cast of <em>Miss Saigon</em><span> </span>shares his take on the musical and why the role of The Engineer remains a special one for him.</p> <p><strong>When you were first asked by Cameron MacKintosh to play The Engineer in<span> </span><em>Miss Saigon</em>, what was your reaction?</strong><span> </span></p> <p>I wanted to do a musical after seeing<span> </span><em>Les Misérables</em>, which I went to see because Patti LuPone was in it and we’d done a play together. Musicals were never part of my life; but I went to see it purely to see Patti. I was completely blown away by it and by her – and by Colm Wilkinson and I thought this was something I wanted to do.</p> <p>Through a series of events Cameron became aware that I could sing and when Nick Hytner (Director,<span> </span><em>Miss Saigon</em>, 1989 - 1999) said to him ‘what we need for this role is Jonathan Pryce … if only he could sing’, Cameron said ‘well he can!’ So they sent me the demo tape, which I listened to and thought it was really exciting and quite different from anything else I’d heard.</p> <p>Then they started talking about the possibility of my doing it and coming in to sing for them. By then I was doing<span> </span><em>Uncle Vanya</em><span> </span>in the West End and I knew the composers were coming to see a performance of Vanya before I sang for them.</p> <p>There was a small song I performed as Dr Astrov in<span> </span><em>Uncle Vanya</em><span> </span>– a drunken song – that became an audition piece! It got longer and longer and longer till the night they came to see it … I eventually went to sing onstage at the Palladium for them and they offered me the job.</p> <p><strong>What was it about the role of The Engineer that appealed to you?</strong><span> </span></p> <p>The Engineer is an extraordinary character with great songs, including “The American Dream”. That song was very much up for grabs when we started rehearsing it: how it would be performed, how it would work; it was all those dreams of being a pop star or a crooner or somebody who worked in Las Vegas – they’re all there in that number.</p> <p><strong>Was he based on anyone you knew?</strong></p> <p>No! It was obviously a character of the author’s experience and imagination and it was just incredibly well drawn; it’s an easily recognisable, identifiable figure. But it’s also a figure of a very desperate person who wants to get out of this very desperate situation and I think that’s one of the reasons it was a relevant musical then; post-Vietnam was still fresh in our memories about people trying to get out of the city, trying to get out of the country to escape the war and the children being the victims.</p> <p>And I think that’s why it continues to be relevant; sadly possibly even more relevant today given the political situations around the world where people are forced to flee and become refugees and migrants and people constantly trying to stop them.</p> <p><strong>What are your memories of the first time you stepped in front of the audience?</strong><span> </span></p> <p>It felt quite dangerous but very exciting and I think the excitement of it all took care of any nervousness. There was a long rehearsal period and a long technical period so we spent a long time working on the music and seeing it all come together.</p> <p>I thought less about me and more about the show, which I was very confident about - I knew it would be criminal if the show wasn’t a success and I think that’s what my overriding emotion was. To actually perform it was very exciting; what I really couldn’t believe was that it continued to be exciting for the two years I did it and that has everything to do with the show and, especially, the music, which I’d never experienced before.</p> <p><strong>And what about returning to the stage for<span> </span><em>Miss Saigon: The 25th Anniversary Performance </em>special finale – how was that for you?</strong><span> </span></p> <p>It was a lovely occasion and not overly sentimental; it was great to see Lea Salonga (Kim) and Simon Bowman (Chris) sing and to be with all the other members who came back for the ensemble. And how was it singing that song again? It was great! It’s a stand-alone song and it’s great to do whether you’re free to move along with the music or not! I enjoyed it – I had a great time.</p> <p><em><strong>What is your favourite Jonathan Pryce musical?</strong></em></p> <p><em>Written by Editor. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/entertainment/why-jonathan-pryce-loves-a-musical.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>.</em></p>

Music

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Australian family attacked by pirates on sailing trip

<p>An Australian family travelling around the world on a sailing trip has reportedly been attacked by pirates off the coast of Yemen.</p> <p><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The Daily Telegraph</strong></em></span></a> reports Louise Turner, her husband Lachin and their two young children were sailing in what they believed to be a safe corridor when they were approached by the rouge vessels.</p> <p>“We were essentially sitting ducks,” Ms Turner told the paper.</p> <p>“We were at the wrong place at the wrong time. We were completely vulnerable.”</p> <p>The family was reportedly stalked by the pirate skiff for about four hours, with more vessels approaching them with intermediary tactics designed to halt their progress.</p> <p>The vessels continued to follow and Ms Turner grew terrified for the safety of her children Siara, 11, and Kai, 4, issuing a frantic mayday call of “imminent pirate attack”.</p> <p>As Ms Turner operated the catamaran and her husband frantically manned the engine, the mayday was received by a container ship and passed onto warships patrolling the area.</p> <p>The pirates reportedly “looked eerily focused as they completed their reconnaissance.”</p> <p>“Effectively they were shepherding us away from the closest vessel that could assist us,” Ms Turner said.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMERCHANTNAVAL.OFFSHORE%2Fposts%2F1812515665475982&amp;width=500" width="500" height="519" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></p> <p><span>With things looking decidedly grim, the family was relieved to receive a radio message advising a helicopter from a Japanese warship was on its way. </span></p> <p><span>The Turners changed course to meet up with the warship, but not without more intimidation from the pirates who remained close. </span></p> <p><span>Ms Turner said: “This was it for us. Attack imminent­. Simply put, we could not possibly prevent them boarding us. But fate intervened and we believe it was only by minutes that the appearance of two warships on the horizon thwarted the attack.”</span></p> <p><span>The Turners managed to make it to the friendly vessel and refuel, but are thanking their lucky stars the attack wasn’t a lot worse. </span></p> <p><span>“We are incredibly lucky that we were not attacked, however, the threat was all too real,” Ms Turner said, with the family now back home safe.</span></p> <p><span>“This has been a sobering and frightening experience.”</span></p> <p><em>Hero image credit: The Daily Telegraph</em></p>

Cruising

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This secret grotto is the perfect pirate getaway

<p>You don’t have to take a voyage to Treasure Island to enjoy a pirate getaway. Today’s incredible <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/507927/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60_pirategetaway" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Airbnb property</span></strong></a> is perfect place for adventurous holidaymakers.</p> <p>Located in Topanga, a charming, countryside neighbourhood adjacent to Los Angeles, this <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/507927/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60_pirategetaway" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">secret grotto</span></strong></a> provides unique lodgings worthy of Long John Silver.</p> <p>This <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/507927/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60_pirategetaway" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">guest house</span></strong></a> has waterfalls, ponds and a tropically-themed environment that’s perfect for people looking for lodgings that are a little bit different. It’s also kitted out with every modern amenity you need for a comfortable stay.</p> <p>Topanga is the perfect place to explore the underrated wilderness and artistic side of Los Angeles, while still being close enough to all the tourist attractions.</p> <p>To view the pirate’s getaway, scroll through the gallery above.</p> <p>To book or learn more about it, <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/507927/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60_pirategetaway" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.airbnb.com/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Whether you want to make money by renting your place or to find affordable accommodation options and stretch your travel budget further, head over to Airbnb now and have a look around.</span></strong></em></a></p>

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