YOUR HOSTS
LISSA CHRISTIE
Co-owner, host and chef extraordinaire
In 1976, I was born to Greek / South African parents and grew up on a Litchi farm in Nelspruit. We moved as a family to Cape Town in my teens and I left to experience the world at 18.
I studied fine art at Central Saint Martins and worked with a small charity which inspired me to create my own company with a friend called START; running large art workshops in underprivileged schools throughout London.
During my studies, I managed a bar where I was offered the opportunity to join the creative team at Bestival and Camp Bestival. I did this for 8 years and loved it.
After travelling for six months from Cairo to Cape Town in 2010-2011 with Claire, where I met my now husband Corne, I decided it was time for a change. So after 17 years in London I took the opportunity to develop something extraordinary with our family island. We decided to create a space of joy, beauty, creativity and healing so that everyone can benefit from the magic that I feel on the island.
CORNE UYS
Makes sure everything works and runs smoothly as well as being a master chef
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I am Namibian born and also grew up in South Africa just like the Christie sisters. I met the love of my life in Malawi, married her and now live on the island together building our dream life.
Growing up as a farmer's son, I spent most of my childhood barefoot with the sun on my face and I feel that I relive many of these fond childhood memories here on this little gem, i call home, in the Aegean.
This move to the island felt very natural as I have spend most of my life, sharing the magic of the African bush with travellers and tourists, as a guide and later a manager of safari lodges around Namibia and in Africa.
I am passionate about mother nature and all her critters and creatures as well as cooking on an open fire under the stars. I also really enjoy sharing a good story in the shade of an olive tree.
KATERINA POLYDOROPOULOU
Resident Shiatsu therapist
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I was born in 1979 in Athens, Greece. I studied Graphic Design and worked for 13 years in this field. The first time I heard about Shiatsu was through martial arts, which I was practicing when I was 19 years old. Then I visited a Shiatsu practitioner for my lower back pain and there I found my calling! I graduated in 2006 and in 2009 I gave up my job to start my passion - practicing Shiatsu. Shiatsu can be physical bodywork and “energy medicine” at the same time, applying pressure and stretching the body and also working with the human energy field.
I love practicing Shiatsu for the joy of giving, helping and interacting in a unique way with every single person. For helping self-healing, for mutual awareness and bringing us into the present; in the here and now, relaxation, getting in contact with our feelings, exercise, stretching, nourishing, playing…
I also practice Yoga and Pilates classes as often as I can, I love nature and animals, music and reading, I’d like to travel more, I'm curious about a lot and am searching… always….
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I am part of the Silver Island family and will be offering 12 Shiatsu therapy sessions a week at €80 per hour and you can book your session with me directly on katerinapld@hotmail.com or on the island once here.
OLIVE, KANELA, PEPPER, KOSMA, MEENA & SITA
Our fur family
Olive, Kanela, and Pepper the dogs and Kosma, Meena and Sita are the cats are part of the family and live on the island with us.
They were all rescued from the village and are very friendly and loving animals. If you have a dog or cat allergy, it is important that you know they are on the island.
CLAIRE CHRISTIE
Co-owner that finds you great teachers, supports your bookings and getting you to the island
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I am Claire, Lissa's older sister and so also had the same beginning in life! After completing school I left for India where I worked with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity. Inspired my time there I decided to become a nurse! After qualifying as a general nurse I went on to specialise in sexual and reproductive health, tropical medicine and later emergency medicine.
Nursing allowed me to fulfil my passions for working within the humanitarian/development sector and travelling. I have had the most incredible life experiences and journeys, and when our dad became ill with cancer, I chose another journey and headed back to Cape Town to care for him.
With over 17 years experience as a Nurse, I know just how precious life is and how it can all change in a moment. Therefore after my trip with Lissa through East Africa, I gave up my job as a nurse, and chose to continue to create the life I want to live and so that is where my soul journey with the island began. You wont see me on the island as I live on another island, Mauritius and take care of all the behind the scene things!