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Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Island Life, Island Wife

Karlene Prinsloo has lived on Desroches island for 3 years… which together with her husband Wicus (the hotel manager) is the longest anyone has lived there.

Described as an “Island creative” she does a little bit of everything and add’s some creative flavor to the island mix. She had re-vamped and offered fresh merchandising ideas for the D boutique where you can buy gorgeous gifts for friends and family back at home or something special for yourself.

We chatted about what being an Island Wife is like.


Karlene describes her average day:

" I sleep late until  9.30am or 10am and then potter around at home, checking emails , following up with PR for the new jewelry range : Madam Zabre   and catching up with friends from home.
Lunch is spent at the hotel with my husband or friends and then I either retreat to the comfort of my home, enjoy a nature walk or go to the beach to collect shells or driftwood, and look for creative inspiration.
In the afternoon, I do housework and then get ready for the evening hotel activities. I’ll visit the bar for a drink, catch up with staff - who are also friends, and chat to the guests. Sometimes I only eat dinner as late at 10pm so I’ve learnt to adjust to that timing. On average, I retire to bed as late as 1am.
It’s a peaceful, gentle lifestyle and I enjoy it.

However, living in paradise, you still have moments when you realize what you miss from home... The every day luxuries of being able to pop into a coffee shop with friends; buying fresh flowers; going to fabric shops; the access to decorative detail (on the island you have to work with what’s on hand) and hair salons! You miss out on your friends and families weddings, birthdays, babies - all those important moments. There are times when you long for simple things that you took for granted when you had them.

The most enlightening aspect of island life is that there is no distraction from your essence. You are able to fully connect to your being in every moment. It’s important that you like who you are or begin work to improve aspects that are less than satisfactory. There is no escaping yourself.
You’ll develop confidence with just being with yourself so that when you walk on a beach on your own, you are comfortable and are able to enjoy it. For much of the time, you are on your own and that’s ok. "

Do you have what it takes to live on an island? Or do you prefer the idea of having a luxury holiday and engaging in a variety of activities?

If you've always fantasied about living on a paradise island, you now can own your own piece of heaven by investing in an island villa. Click here to find out more.

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