The man who quit his job & opened a hotel in paradise
Have you ever dreamed of turning your back on the 9-5, disappearing off the grid and starting over on a paradise island? Hannes Wolters (below) did just that. In the late 90s, he walked away from a successful, but stressful, London life and started out on a new, very different path.
Together with his business partner, Ellis Flyte, they set about the ambitious task of building a resort on Pemba Island just off the coast of Tanzania. The result is Fundu Lagoon and this, in their own words, is the story of how it came about…
Many of us have had the dream of giving it all up and opening a hotel on a paradise island, but you have actually done it! What kind of life did you leave behind to start this one?
Hannes: Endless night shifts, sometimes followed straight away by a shift the next morning. I used to be involved in managing private members’ clubs, high-end restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Ellis: I worked in fashion and film – it was extremely challenging, with very little down time and a lot of travel.
And how did the Fundu Lagoon project come about?
Ellis: After I closed my fashion company in the late 90s, I travelled back to Zanzibar, a place that gave me peace and adventure – and time to think! The original plan was to build a holiday home, but the plan changed very quickly - partly because when we saw the local economy, we realised it was greatly in need of assistance - and the idea of a small beach retreat was born. 
Did your friends and family think you were crazy?
Hannes: Yes, everyone thought I was crazy leaving everything behind for a then (and still now) unknown little island in the Indian Ocean. To begin with, there was almost no way of staying in contact with friends and family, as we had no internet and mobile phones didn’t work here yet. Ellis: Yes, although I have always been an adventurer!
How long did it take to build the hotel? Was it harder or easier than you imagined?
Ellis: We looked at many locations around Zanzibar, without success. As we were leaving, a friend suggested looking at the "other" island, so we chartered a boat and sailed over by nightfall. A huge storm made the skipper beach the boat, and as the sun came up and the storm passed, we found ourselves at the far end of the Fundu beach! After making friends with the locals and their chief, we negotiated what we would pay for the land, described what we intended to build, and explained that we would use the local people to help us with the build. The people on Pemba had not seen white skin before and there was little communication, except with the help of a Swahili translator. The build started in early 1998 and was complete by October/November in only nine months, thanks to the assistance of 150 local villagers. 
Could you briefly describe the resort you have created at Fundu Lagoon?
Hannes: An understated, luxurious oasis of tranquility, a home from home, a non-pretentious barefoot paradise, which offers the possibility to totally relax or get involved in any of the offered activities. We serve simply delicious fresh food, great drinks and cocktails within a friendly family environment, with first-class personalised service. Ellis: Fundu is a barefoot escape, where you can be "Crusoe and Cousteau in the same day". It has spectacular diving, a stunning pool, a restful spa, and excellent international cuisine. It is hidden in the trees and hardly visible as you arrive by speedboat. 
Looking out of your window right now, what can you see?
Hannes: If I look out to the back I can see forest. The front part looks out onto the Indian Ocean.
Can you describe a typical “day at the office”?
Hannes: Normally I get up between 6am and 7:30am, depending on arrivals and departures. First I make sure that all transfers are booked correctly. Then it’s time for a quick coffee and a pastry, before answering the first lot of emails and having a daily meeting with the heads of departments. Every day is different, but there are always maintenance issues, special guest requests, orders and deliveries, meetings with village committees, government officials or local suppliers, a friendly chat with guests, checking in on breakfast and lunch, and help with health issues for guests, staff and the village community. You have to learn to be inventive here - nothing is ever the same and living in such a remote and natural environment brings plenty of challenges.
Just say I’m lucky enough to find myself heading to Fundu Lagoon. How might a typical week pan out?
Hannes: This depends on what you sign up for. You could just relax, read, sleep, eat and have a massage, or you could sign up for any of the activities offered. We run everything including diving, fishing, snorkelling, wake-boarding, water-skiing, windsurfing, canoeing and guided village tours. 
Is there anything in particular I should bring with me?
Hannes: Binoculars, a camera, good sun protection, mosquito repellant, sunglasses and a hat.
Sounds great, we’ve started packing already. Finally, is there anything you miss about your old life?
Hannes: Being able to meet up with friends in a restaurant or bar and having a bit of me time. Other than that, nothing!