Maharani Savoir Faire

Labelled the Wallis Simpson of India, not only for the fact of her royal suitor while married to another man and her love of fabulous jewellery the Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda was one of those rare breed of women who never ceased to amaze.

With a rather matter of fact statement she also put poor old Wallis in her place.


One of Sita Devi’s passions was for jewellery and the magnificent collection she amassed would leave everyone with open mouths. Even Wallis Simpson and had open mouth after the following little episode. The magnificent Star of the South diamond necklace seen below was one of the fabulous pieces she owned.

Back in 1953 the Maharani sold a pair of diamond and emerald anklets to Harry Winston, who subsequently re set the stones into a fabulous necklace. Wallis who as we know just loved jewels purchased said necklace and wore it to a 1957 New York ball at which the Maharani was present. Overhearing other guests were admiring the necklace, the Maharani was heard to exclaim that the jewels had looked just as nice on her feet. Wallis, rather humiliated or embarrassed returned the necklace to Harry Winston the next day.

Pooling Your Resources with Savoir Faire

As we head into Day 4 of the heat wave here in Toronto and the eastern US, I am pining away for a decent swimming pool here in Toronto to cool off in. Having been rather spoiled in Australia where every country town has a decent sized pool, I am longing for a dip with some savoir faire.

One of my favourite pools is Andrew Boy Charlton pool in Sydney. Perched on the edge of the harbour next to the business centre, where there was always a mass exodus at lunch times of gentlemen in their suits and ladies in their stilettos, down to the pool for a dip to cool off before returning to the office perfectly dressed and cool.

Another fabulous pool in Melbourne is the lap pool of the Adelphi Hotel. Overhanging the street by a metre or so, it is a surreal experience swimming here.

On a recent trip to Egypt the pool at the Grand Hyatt was a welcome relief after hot days of sightseeing. This time perched over the Nile; it was just wonderful to watch the sun set over Cairo of an evening, now being deliciously cool after sightseeing.

Here are some other pools that given half a chance I would be like to lounging around today with savoir faire!

Hotel Fullerton Singapore

Mykonos Grand

Oberoi Amarvilas Agra

Oberoi Rajvilas, India

Australian High Commision, Colombo

And for the ultimate in infinity pools, the new Marina Bay Sands in Saingapore!