THE RICH AND THE FAMOUS BUYING REAL ESTATE IN CROATIA?

Paul Allen looking for the property in Croatia?


The arrival of Paul Allen, one of the founders of the Microsoft Corporation at the airport of Pula and his stay on the "Octopus" - the world's largest yacht gave a touch of glamour to the Gala concert of the Israeli philharmonic orchestra conducted by Zubin Mehte in the Pula arena.



»»Octopus« arrived at port Pula only two hours prior to the concert. Its imposing dimensions gave her the title of the world's largest yacht - even it looks more like a cruising ship with - 130 metres length 21 metres width and who knows how high this sailing high riser with 10 floors really is ! There are also two helicopters on board, a basketball field on one of the many decks, a music studio, a cinema, a smaller yacht for excursions to the shore of 20 metres length, a mini submarine...
According to the Italian newspaper »Il Gazzetina«, Allen is in the company of some 30 friends, with 51 crew members to see to their wishes.
Impressive was not only seeing the yacht entering the port of Pula, but also the organization of its mainland logistic forces. Namely, two hours before the yacht berthed two young ladies showed with radios, who coordinated where the guests will disembark, how they will get to the arena, where to after the concert.
It was interesting to hear the questions asked by the guests of the yacht - like about the distance from the ship to the amphitheatre, is it uphill, can one walk to there and similar things connected with this "mainland adventure". Regarding the party after the concert, the guests wished to go to one of the Disco clubs in Pula, but when they were told that the closest one is 10 km distant from the ship, they gave up the idea. Even several cars were at disposal to take the guests into nightlife, the yacht sailed from the port of Pula already at one after midnight.
The next destination of Allen and his company should be Split according to our information, while the sail in the Croatian waters will end in Dubrovnik.
The 51 year old Paul Allen is number four among the richest in the world, his assets estimated to 21 billion U$. The »Octopus« is not the only yacht owned by Allen, in his "yacht park" he has several other vessels of some 60 metres in length.

Steven Spielberg, Pierce Brosnan, Andre Agassi, Gywneth Paltrow and Sean Connery are all among the celebrity names to appear in the hotel visitor books. Some like the country so much they bought a piece: Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood and Sharon Stone are each rumoured to be buying their own private island.

Roman Abramovic

The 115 meter megayacht ''Pelorus'', owned by a Russian multimilionaire Roman Abramovic, has sailed in at Dubrovnik port called Gruz on Thursday evening. The ''Pelorus'' is highly ranked on a top 10 scale of world megayachts, a sailing residence built in 2003 in one German shipyard; this beauty is equipped with the most sophisticated satellite navigation equipment, and have cabins for 18 passengers apart from the owner's family. The interior, designed by the world know decorator Terence Disdale, is more than luxury, which is nothing to be suprides by, since its owner is a man whose wealth is apraised to 13,8 bilion USD, made mostly in oil, aluminum, chemicals and pharmaceutical industry. One of the most famous business ventures of mr Abramovic was the purchase of UK Premier league club Chelsea.

''Pelorus'' has sailed in from Bari with 38 crew members, of British, German, South Africa, Filipine, and surprisingly, Nepal nationalities, under a Bermuda flag, and captain Carl Carlsson of Sweden. We have managed to find out that Roman Abramovic has announced his arrival with private jet from London, and the reason is Julian Rachlin & friends music festival, which will give to its participants Julian Rachlin, Mischa Maisky, Janine Jansen, Gerard Causse and others a publicity other musicians can only wish for.

Tom Cruise is cruising around Korcula and Mljet

A yacht of one of the most famous Hollywood stars, Tom Cruise, has joined a club of rich and the famous cruising the south of Croatia this year. This American actor has flew in Dubrovnik airport with his private jet from Venice, where a Mostra film festival is taking place; Cruise's new hit film Collateral is having a premiere there. After he has signed a few autograms to the airport staff, main character of ''Mission impossible'' has drove off to Cavtat, where he has sailed off on a luxurious yacht ''Arctic P'', heading to Korcula and Mljet.

Actor's mother, Mary Lee Mapother was the only one seen with him, but it is speculated that he could be accompanied by his children, Isabela and Connor, and possibly even his ex wife, Nicole Kidman.