The apocalypse survival handbook for the ultra-rich

How to prep for the end of the world when money's no object

15 October 2017 - 00:00
By Staff reporters
There's no reason not to maintain your top class image ... even if the world is ending.
Image: iStock There's no reason not to maintain your top class image ... even if the world is ending.

1. GET EYE SURGERY

In an interview with the New Yorker, the Reddit co-founder who's not engaged to Serena Williams, Steve Huffman, said he got corrective eye surgery to prepare for the apocalypse.

"If the world ends - and not even if the world ends, but if we have trouble - getting contacts or glasses is going to be a huge pain in the ass. Without them, I'm fucked," he told the magazine.

2. ABANDON THE MANSION ON YOUR FARM (OR FARM-LIKE ESTATE)

Sorry, but it's time to leave your R40-million abode behind. Yes, you just refurbished the bathroom and all the flooring is Italian marble, but it's time to go. Soz.

3. MAKE YOUR ESCAPE ...

ON YOUR SUPER EXPENSIVE SUPERBIKE

We're sure you already have your Ecosse Titanium Series bike parked in the garage. The brand fancies itself the Aston Martin of motorbikes, and it will set you back a reported R4-million. Or you can just use something more modest, like the Yamaha R1. It has more speed than you'll ever know what to do with.

WHILE THE FAMILY HOPS INTO YOUR APOCALYPSE-READY RIDE

If you're trying to be inconspicuous, make sure your Mercedes-Benz W123 300D is ready. It's built like no other car is built. Over-engineered in the extreme, this car can outlast everyone and the diesel engine can be powered by cooking oil. Yes, it's slow, but how fast can a zombie go?

Alternatively, take the G-Wagon 6x6: it can go anywhere and it'll match your top-class image, even if the world is ending.

4. THEN BOARD YOUR...

PRIVATE PLANE

If air travel is possible (provided fire isn't raining down from the skies), hop on your plane and hightail it out of here.

If you don't have your own ride, you'll be pleased to know now's the time to get one. Bloomberg reports that pre-owned private jet prices are down 16% since last August, while prices for Gulfstreams are down as much as 35%. Why? Because demand for private jets has slowed in the past few years.

LUXURY YACHT

If escape by air isn't an option, then you'll have to take your boat to the middle of the ocean. You would need a boat that can outsail anything on the sea, so why not look at something from Millennium Super Yachts, a US company with a James Bond obsession (their first yachts were named Octopussy, Moonraker and Thunderball). Their super yacht, The World Is Not Enough, is considered one of the fastest in the world (it goes as fast as 70 knots).

PERSONAL SUBMARINE

Someone on Twitter might have pointed out that it looks like an iron, but Aston Martin has unveiled a R55-million submarine. You might feel like a Bond villain (or like Dr Evil) but it will help you get away from a disaster - provided it's not underwater. The vessel should be available from next year - but get in early because the company only plans to make a dozen a year.

5. WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME

You could buy land in New Zealand as many super-wealthy Americans (a gang of dudes from Silicon Valley) have done in preparation for the end of the world. Apparently the island's remoteness will be its greatest strength come doomsday (man-made or otherwise) - although we're not sure how good an idea this is considering how often the country is hit by earthquakes and it has a gigantic volcano.

Or you could join the growing market for luxurious bunkers for the one percent: prices range from R340,000 to R110-million per underground unit.

Or you could join Elon Musk and head to Mars.

Or head to the Drakensberg, as they did when the world nearly ended in the movie 2012.