*Warning* The A.D.H.D Devil is back with a colossally long post, and hes not even going to treat you with an A.D.H.D summary. It’s worth the read I promise. You can do it!
A few of people have hit me up recently asking why I have slowed down blogging. I have been trying to keep my lips sealed as long as possible, and have actually spilled the beans to a couple of you already. But now I’m excited to finally be able to reveal the legitimate reason (it’s not an excuse) why I haven’t been blogging much and why I’m here in the Maldives.
Please let me explain!
Right at the start of last year, my cousin and I were chatting on the phone over the only topic we have in common, a passion for business. He was intrigued by what I did and the crazy world of affiliate marketing. While he was giving me tips about real estate (he’s being doing it all his life), I mentioned I would like to invest in a few properties overseas, with the dream of constantly hoping round the world “working” with industry friends. An oh so stimulating conversation, but nothing came from it.
I got a call from my cousin 10 months ago, he rang to say he got engaged to his girlfriend (happens to be Maldivian) of 2 years. He also mentioned that him and his soon-to-be wifey wanted to get buy a place and move back to the Maldives.
Lets just say things started to get interesting…
Fortunately, Maldives is an odd place. It’s like water world, land is hard to come by, and I’m pretty sure Kevin Costner has visited. Anywho it is made up by thousands of islands (only 200 inhabited). You can only buy land out right if you are a citizen. My cousin got married last month which in turn made him a Maldivian citizen…mmmk.
On the hunt for property my cousin came across this 1 acre piece of land for sale that was within his price range. He was 99% sold. He could build his house the way he wanted with a ton of land left over…
Kuvanya island. 1.1 acres, 10 min boat ride to the capital city.
“Oh, hey Lorenzo, you know how you want some property somewhere nice for you and your traveling mates to work?” He called and said. “I think I’ve found the solution.”
Lets fast forward to five months ago. My cousin filed through a million and one documents. Got an engineer and architect over to check it out. Spoke with lawyers, then ended up buying the island! He created these plans:
It should really be called affiliate getaway not entrepreneur retreat damn it!
So this month I visited the island. The waters are unbelievably clear and blue, the sand is golden white and builders have started building. Committing to invest was an easy decision.
An island resort built to cater for traveling affiliates (as well as entrepreneurs) and I’m investing. It’s friking nuts!!!
Here are a few of photos I took at Kuvanya:
Emerald colored water and beach on arrival.
Three seaside themed bedrooms. The first part of the resort to be built. Look at that water!
This is where the resort entrance will be (sorry trees, we are going to have to move you). "You have my bow...and my AXE!" (no Legolas you can go play with the fairies)
So as you can imagine my attention has been elsewhere than blogging. I’ve actually already contacted a few big affiliate networks who have committed to a sending a rep to the island during high periods. My cousin has already nearly packed out future bookings with his entrepreneur buddies. However, he is reserving space for affiliate veterans if there is interest (I know there is!). There is also a possibility of holding an elite affiliate conference on the island.
Oh and one last thing, please if anyone of my readers can help stop global warming, please make it happen. I’m a big fan of the crystal clear blue waters but the highest point on this island is 1 meter above sea level, id like to have a bit of sand left in 50 years.
Make it happen and this rocks! You have my word Lorenzo, I will try my best to stop global warming, hehe.
I'm glad that you finally blog again, and this is an awesome plan indeed.
Cheers!
That is beyond cool, sounds like a concept that could get pretty big in the future.. How is the internet connection?
Really nice, of course. But global warming would be the least of my worries in the immediate future… one tsunami and that place is gone. Sorry, just sayin'…
Actually the reef acts as a natural barrier and has held up times before. It also depends where the island you buy is placed. There was a big tsunami in 2005 a lot of resorts were left untouched. The damage was done to exposed local villages, which are not exact built to hold out against an forces of nature.
We've done our research on it for sure.
This is really really awesome.
How are you guys handling internet connection etc to the island?
wow this is such a beautiful place to visit i simply love it
That's pretty amazing… Maldives is definitely a place where I'll go at least once in my life! (Probably not in your retreat as I won't qualify for it
)
Pffft I totally came up with the plan to have an affiliate conference in the Maldives on twitter months ago.
That is an awesome fucking plan.
I'll come! Just tell me where to go and I'll be there.
That is seriously beautiful but I would be terrified having any property that close to the water on all sides.
Yea, what about the internet connection?
We are working with Dhiraagu which is the number one internet provider in Maldives. They cater to a lot of resorts here at the moment supplying high spend wifi.
However it gets better than that, only two weeks ago Dhriaagu signed a 21.7 million contract with NEC Corporation to lay a Fibre Optic Submarine Cable network system from North to South across the Maldives.
Net will be available everywhere, from the pool to the pond and bar.
How do I make a reservation?
I have an island boner.
This is insane, I am incredibly jealous, the Maldives was utter paradise and you literally own a share of an island there! I would definitely be weary of global warming though, the minute me and the girlfriend got back from the Maldives we seen an interesting news article claiming most of it will be under the sea in 20 years, it could have been utter shit though.
Maybe it's time to start popping 'Global Warming Awareness' campaigns to protect your investment lol
Congrats and I wish you all the best!
Finally somebody with some sense – As evidenced by being attracted to the beautiful Maldives instead of Thai-shithole-land.
I love you.
Affili-ballin
That is INCREDIBLE, Lorenzo!
Dude. I'm speechless. This is the coolest thing I have heard in a long, long time. I am gonna have to come and visit now!
Um… surf resort… Maldives has excellent surf. How close are you to major breaks? This sounds like a dream man, congrats. I live in Hawaii and can tell you nothing mixes better than island adventure (surf) with affiliate freedom.
Finally a proper place for Affbuzz meetups. Thanks for all your hard work in putting this together. It surely won't be forgotten. I'll try to get you an invite.
I've just come back from the Maldives, the place is just paradise…. and I'd love to hear more about this.
Good lord that is sweet! Congrats and good luck on the rest of the island.
this post is not that long; i was expecting a monstrosity. The pics are really nice; like something out of a postcard
Beautiful place… would love to visit sometime!
great stuff, put me on some list so we can book some time there
Are there Plenty Of Fish… swimming around? God, that blue matches our Tshirts. Unbelievable, Kim and I may have to check out the new crib
Oh the fishing be plentiful…. hook, line and STINKER!
Very cool Lorenzo! Hope it is a huge success!
Holy fucking shit. That's awesome.. aren't you worried about tsunamis and shit?
Whoa. Incredible doesn't even begin to describe. Definitely hope I can make it out someday.
Global warming is a lie!
Cheers, Lorenzo! You've outdone yourself once again. This is pure genius… Count me in, my friend. When do you expect it to be completed?
Her is your global warming cure.
The most controversial of these solutions – a “stratoshield” — involves the controlled injection of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere to cool ground temperatures, which mimics the natural cooling effects of a big volcanic eruption like Mount Pinatubo. This sort of “geoengineering” solution is intensely disliked within environmental circles, and we discuss the reasons why. And we discuss why, if global warming gets worse, it might still be a good idea to consider further research on the stratoshield. We also discuss a much more environmentally friendly anti-warming solution from I.V. that uses salt-sea spray to increase cloud reflectivity.
http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2009/10/video_na…
And you surf, right?! Please don't break my heart and tell me you do, but don't lie.
You are living my dream if you do…well you are living a big part of my dream anyway
Um is it April fools in New Zealand already?
Amazing, amazing plan – you’re hereby forgiven!
P.S. Hmm Ethan’s comment made me think, especially with your track record of humor lol.
Yeah it's already April 1st down under.
So wait, how much an island like this costs?
Real ones or fakes ones?
Hey I'm in.
Prepare Kosher food for me and my affiliate friends
Just for your information this quote is from the C.I.A website "Over the longer term Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is 1 meter or less above sea level."
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worl…
lol – i bought alcatraz today
I'll only come if there is a decent surf break nearby
Oh, there will be!
[...] Sooooo this is a tad awkward. [...]
[...] Sooooo this is a tad awkward. [...]
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Congrats, sounds awesome — from what I've read that place is hardcore islamic though. Like, you literally cant become a citizen until you bow to allah. Does this concern you at all?
I really like the idea of the island, though I know it's an April fools day joke, it was pretty good thought!
[...] think Mr.Green started a trend, international meetups. After his April Fools posts, meetups outside the US started to popup. One which I think will be a killer meetup is the Puerto [...]
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[...] or hit the beaches of Puerto Rico with world class affiliates. It’s not the affiliate island Mr. Green April fooled us with, but it’s a step in the right direction =P Share and [...]