There is a great photography game / post doing the rounds at the moment called “7 Super Shots”. HostelBookers.com put out the call to select 7 of your favourite photographs, one for each of the following categories below, then tag 5 bloggers that you would like to take part. “Travel with Kat“ has nominated me and, having checked out her shots and some of the previous bloggers, I hope I do not disappoint….I have only recently started getting into photography and am, in fact investigating upgrading my camera. Here are my shots from my very basic “happy snapper” but just wait till I get that new camera……
1. A photo that……takes my breath away
This picture was taken in 2009 in the Sabi Sands Reserve. We were on an early morning game drive when we came upon these two giraffe coming down to a waterhole for a drink. You can see how apprehensive the one is, keeping an eye on us and making sure no predator was stealing up on them. I love the way giraffes have to kneel down to drink, it just looks so awkward, really amazing animals.
2. A photo that…..makes me laugh/smile
This photograph was taken in the Chobe National Park in Botswana in 2008. It was an extremely hot day and the elephants were firstly cooling themselves down in the Zambezi River and then covering themselves with mud – they use mud as we would use a sunscreen, very clever really. But what makes me smile, is the tiny little baby. You simply cannot believe that an elephant can be so small, especially when you see mum standing next to her.
3. A photo that….makes me dream
This picture was taken in 2010 on Alba Island in Italy. This was the small village of St Andrea that we stayed in. We had hiked up to a very high point to take this pic, the views were superb and looking at this makes me very nostalgic to go back!!
4. A photo that…..makes me think
This photograph was taken on my first visit to Prague in 2009. If I remember correctly, this was written on the window an an Australian Pub where we stopped to have a beer – each point makes me think….
5. A photo that…..makes my mouth water
This mouth watering shot was taken in 2008 on Rovos Rail, a very luxurious train journey which we took from Pretoria to Victoria Falls – one of the most amazing experiences of my life. This dessert was not only good to look at but looking at this pic, I can still taste it. The little “potjie” (African pot) was made out of pure chocolate and filled with chocolate mousse….completely decadent.
6. A photo that….tells a story
I took this photograph last year in July. We rented a cottage right on Sheffield Beach on the KwaZulu Natal north coast. The highlight of our stay was when a derelict bulk container called “Phoenix” ran aground during a mighty storm. Here, you can see one of the crew being airlifted off the boat and we could actually watch all of this from the comfort of our lounge…
7. A photo that I am most proud of (aka my worthy of National Geographic shot)
I, like most people have hundreds of photos of sunsets. Who can resist taking just one more…this one was taken in March last year in the Madikwe Game Reserve (see blog “Bush Therapy in the Madikwe Game Reserve). I liked this pic so much that I actually had it enlarged on a canvas so that I can see it everyday.
Thank you again to Kat for nominating me. I have chosen the following 5 bloggers to share their “Seven Super Shots” with us.
Derek – The Holidayz
Emme – Roamancing
Natalie – Turkish Travel Blog
Nod ‘n Smile
Adrian – Handcarry Only
Written by my good friend, Marion, a hilariously entertaining account of her recent visit to Botswana. When Marion circulated an email to her group of friends telling them about her trip, I just knew that I had to share it with my readers. Here it is…
Despite my friend’s commiserations and concerns about my sanity on my departure to Darkest Africa, aka Botswana, I survived the unsurvivable and returned a little worse for wear, after a journey of 6000km, mostly on my coccyx!
There were 6 vehicles (12 people) in our intrepid little band of wannabe boyscouts with a combined age of over 700 years (the people that is, not the cars!) Some seasoned campers, and others, like me, wishing we could book into the nearest 5 star game lodge and close our eyes until it was all over. The trip to Kasane at the northern most point of the Chobe National Park took 4 days and John, my dear husband, fearing that I would make a dash for it before he could get me into the Park, had booked us into some quite pleasant B&Bs along the way……
Kasane though, was going to be my first night of “penthouse camping”. 
Our camp site was in the grounds of the famous Chobe Game Lodge - a magnificent lodge with all the bells and whistles. Sadly though, our allotted camp site looked nothing like the Lodge – for starters, it was ankle deep in sand and thorns! Fortunately the ablutions were not too bad, so I put on my bravest face and awaited the erection of the penthouse. After much huffing and puffing by John, who sounded more like an elephant on heat, we managed this feat and, having joined our friends for a braai on their much more organised site, we spent our first night aloft.
Breakfast the next morning was cereal and boxed milk before we all made our way into the town to buy the fresh provisions for the trip. Having purchased same, we now had enough food to feed the whole of Africa for two weeks and enough booze to start our own bottle store!
We then filled up the extra petrol tanks situated on the roof of the car, which for some reason are right next to the gas bottles, so I was now travelling in a mobile time bomb waiting to go off! We did manage a boat safari down the Zambezi River from the lodge and saw stunning game,
Elephant, Buffalo, Crocs and Buck and the African sunset with its large fiery orb was a sight to behold.
Later that afternoon we entered the Park where we were to spend 11 nights in the wilds. Despite threats of very basic conditions, we were relieved to find that all campsites had flushing loos and showers and most even had hot water. There was, of course, the inevitable sand wherever we went but I just closed my eyes and pretended I was on a beach in Thailand.
The crowd we went with were great fun and we had many good laughs along the way. There are no fences around the camping sites so there were several times when the roaring of the lion seemed so close we were sent scurrying up our ladders for safety.
Now that I am home, I will never take running hot water for granted again. I get down on my hands and knees every night beside my Sealy Posturepedic 5 star bed, not to say my prayers, but to give thanks that I will be sleeping there at all!
Would I do it again? Absolutely, but only if I could sleep in a bed with four legs on it instead of four tyres and where gorgeous game rangers were around doing all the hard work…….
Anyone wanna buy a “penthouse”??
Cape Town has a wonderful Mediterranean climate with mild winters and pleasant summers. With eleven hours and more of summer sunshine, basking on the beach, hiking in the mountains, cycling around the Peninsula, watching another gorgeous sunset or just relaxing in your garden are the order of the day. Not always though…..
Down here in “slaapstad” (sleepy city) as the people up country call Cape Town (obviously they are just jealous and wish they could live here too), something else which we are (in)famous for is our strong south- eastern wind, which is known locally as the Cape Doctor or the south easter.
This strong wind arrives by way of False Bay and funnels through to the city bowl causing havoc to office workers going out for lunch. I remember very clearly nearly being blown off my feet and literally hanging onto a street lamp, a double decker bus even blow over one year. Wind speeds of up to 160km/h can be measured around Table Bay. The Cape Doctor usually starts blowing in about August and lasts till about February. I live on the side of a mountain where the wind tumbles over in full force; it can blow relentlessly for days making you very crabby…
The Leaning Trees of Cape Town....due to the Cape Doctor - taken from my house
But, it’s not all doom and gloom. Just as we need a doctor when we get sick, so do we need the south easter in our hot summer months. It’s called the Cape Doctor because it clears out the pollution and smog that hovers over the simmering city leaving gorgeous blue skies and crystal clear sea air. So, whilst we sometimes rue the days that it is blowing, we are always rewarded with perfect days afterwards. It also helps to keep us cool, and with temperatures up in the late 30’s these last few days, I can assure you I was very happy when the Cape Doctor popped in for a visit!!!!
The Cape Doctor is also responsible for the famous “tablecloth” over Table Mountain. This happens when the wind picks up warm moisture from the False Bay waters, and then blows it around the side of Table Mountain pushing the air against the mountain creating clouds which then look like a white tablecloth on the top of the mountain – a wonderful sight, especially as we know that when the cloth is on the mountain, the weather will be fine.
Luckily for the sun worshippers there is always a spot to get away from the Cape Doctor and Clifton Beach 1, 2 and 3 is where you will need to go to escape. You could always go for a picnic or hike in Kirstenbosch Gardens as this area is also pretty much protected from the wind. For those adrenalin seekers, well the Cape Doctor also gives them a dose of wind. Blouberg Beach catches the south easter perfectly and pretty consistently which is why it is world renowned for the best kitesurfing and windsurfing.
The motto of the story is that when the Cape Doctor visits the city, you need a little extra planning; it is here for good and bad reasons, more good though, just like those doctors in white coats…..
Northern and central KwaZulu Natal has some of the most beautiful landscapes in South Africa, it all looks so peaceful, yet it was only between 100 and 130 years ago, that this area was engulfed in fierce battles, some between the British and the Zulus,
Isandlwana Lodge in the background, with Zulu huts
others between the Boers and the British – all were to shape both South African and British history.
I am not sure why, but when I was at school, I was never particularly interested in the history of my country, it just seemed boring. So, when I first visited the Isandlwana Battlefield area about 11 years ago as part of my job as a tour operator, I was still of the opinion that I would really need to try and conjure up some interest in the battlefield tours on offer.
Well, that all changed when I found myself absolutely spellbound by the stories of the ferocious battles between the Zulus and the British. I did not feel the hot sun baking down on my head as I sat on the hill of Isandlwana.
Rob Gerrard from Isandlwana Lodge giving lecture
I hung onto every impassioned word of our guide. I really was completely enthralled and felt like I could envisage the Zulus roaring over the mountain – it left me with tears in my eyes and astounded that I could be so touched by something that I had always thought “boring”.
Isandlwana Memorial
Imagine 25 000 Zulu warriors in all their finery, screaming battle songs
coming over the horizon….the British soldiers, caught totally unaware, were demolished. It gave me goose bumps. For the British, this was a total defeat but for the Zulus, it was a great victory where King Shaka famously used a battle tactic which he had formulated called the “horns of the buffalo”. This was the ISANDLWANA BATTLE of 22 January 1879.
On the same day, a short distance away, a small supply depot which included a hospital was attacked by 4 500 Zulus – here though, the 139 British soldiers, of whom 36 were sick or injured bravely repulsed the Zulus in an eleven and half hour battle. This was the Great BATTLE OF RORKE’S DRIFT.
Then there were the ANGLO BOER WARS, that took place between 1899 and 1902 - at the start, the British confidently said that the war would be over by Christmas – alas, for the British, it proved to be the longest, most costly and bloodiest war for Queen Victoria’s proud army.
You certainly do not need to be a history buff to visit the Battlefields, just someone who is interested in the stories that really make a country, stories that are peppered with incidents of bravery, military intelligence, formidable Zulu warriors, humour, sorrow and love – some of the famous footsteps that you will follow in are King Shaka, Winston Churchhill, Mhatma Gandhi and General Louis Botha.
Love it or hate it, there are battlefields in everyone’s country – just wish they could all be “history”.
Which reminds me, they say we should learn from our history; do you think that the countries that still wage wars in this day and age have learnt anything from their history?
Click here to find the A - Z challenge around the world
“B”….mmmm…. as it is always fun to learn about another country’s linguistic heritage, I thought I would share some slang words we use here in South Africa beginning with “B” – I can immediately think of at least eight off the top of my head and I would think there are more.
I am an English speaking South African, but we use many Afrikaans and also some African words as slang, in fact, our language is literally peppered with such words so much so that I always make a very definite effort when chatting to tourists or foreigners not to use slang as otherwise I think they would assume we are speaking some sort of dialect….
Bakkie (bucky) – this has two meanings. It could be a small two seater truck with an open rear end or what the Americans would call a “pickup” or it could be a small plastic or Tupperware container used to keep leftover food.
Babelas (bubble-as) – meaning hangover
Boet means brother in Afrikaans and is usually used to call a friend, sort of like “buddy”
Braai is what we call a barbeque, means to grill
Boerewors is a type of sausage that we have on the barbeque – “boer” means farmer and “wors” means sausage so literally means farmer’s sausage
Bergie – term we use in Cape Town for homeless people. “Berg” means mountain so as Cape Town lies below Table Mountain, the homeless are called bergies.
Boom means tree in Afrikaans and is the word used for cannabis
Broekies or broeks – panties or underwear
So, now that you know the meaning of these slang words, as a foreigner to South Africa, would you understand this?
Hey, boet, I drank too much at our braai last night and now I have a huge babelas. Put your broeks on and let’s take your bakkie into town. Don’t forget the bakkie in the fridge with the leftover boerewors in it. We can give it to the bergies. Let’s hope that they are not high on boom!
Hope that made you smile….
I have joined a group of international bloggers who are taking up the challenge set by blogger, Julie Fox (a British Ex Pat writing about living and travelling in Portugal) to write a personal A-Z of their country. Each letter of the alphabet is the basis of the blog and it can be about anything from travel, food, what you hate or love about your country etc. Bloggers have joined in very enthusiastically from countries like Canada, Portugal, Dominican Republic, Poland, Greece, USA and Australia to name a few – it is turning into something quite exceptional, so, if you have a particular interest in a certain country, look no further, keep an eye on my blog or Facebook page where you will see links to these PERSONAL views.
South Africa is all about Adventure and,
although other subjects sprang to mind beginning with “A”, the Addo Elephant National Park won hands down. Being a huge fan of elephants coupled with my love of the outdoors and our amazing National Parks also helped.
The original section of the Park was found in 1931 to provide a sanctuary for the eleven remaining elephants in the area. Today, this finely tuned ecosystem is home to over 500 elephants including buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra as well as the unique flightless dung beetle.
The Addo is the third largest of our 19 National Parks covering about 180 000 hectares (444 700 acres). Plans are well advanced to expanding the Park into a huge mega- Park to include a marine protected area that is home to the world’s largest breeding population of Cape gannets and endangered African penguins.
The Addo is situated in a malaria free area about an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, a super addition onto any trip to Cape Town and the Garden Route. 
One can stay in the National Park accommodation which ranges from inexpensive huts to lovely cottages, there is great waterhole and a restaurant and you can book game drives with rangers or just drive around in your own vehicle. For those who want a little more luxury there are a number of excellent lodges and guesthouse both within the Park or just outside the Park. They range from 3 – 5 star and can include meals, game drives with rangers in open vehicles, guided walks etc. I have stayed at both the Park accommodation and also at The River Bend Lodge which is situated within the 17 000 hectare Nyati Private Concession of the Addo. I thoroughly enjoyed both and have plans to return to the Addo in April as have not visited for a couple of years.
View of River Bend Lodge
INTERESTING FACTS
- The Park has no less than five of South Africa’s seven biomes
- It has one of the densest African elephant populations on earth
- It is home to the unique flightless dung beetle
- Addo incorporates the largest coastal dune field in the southern hemisphere
- The Park boasts the Big Seven (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern right whales and great white sharks)
- It protects the world’s largest Cape gannet breeding population on Bird Island
And, if you are interested in reading some wonderfully interesting information not only on travel but just daily life in different countries, click onto the Global A – Z logo below, sit back and enjoy.
Click here to find the A - Z challenge around the world
Every January I write a wish list of possible places I would like to travel to that year. They do not necessarily have to be long holidays or new countries. I am a champion of short breaks and being a tourist in my own backyard. On my list of places to visit in 2012, I thought it was time to re-visit some of the many small “dorpies” (Afrikaans for small towns and a word that is used fondly by most English speaking South Africans as well) that we are so lucky to have in spitting distance of Cape Town. One becomes caught up in the hype of travelling to places further afield and then forgets that we can easily also take short breaks to some amazing place within a couple hours from where we live.
I am not including the very well know places that overseas tour operators recommend and, although our locals will know all of these dorpies, they may not yet have visited them or, at least not for quite a while. This “personal” list is in no particular order and I have already kick started the year by visiting Citrusdal – blogs will follow as I get the chance to visit during the year.
- CITRUSDAL – the start of the Cederburg, 2hrs drive on the N7, (the road to Namibia) over the Piekenierskloof Pass – super views, rolling wheat fields ending in the valley of Citrusdal which takes its name from the green citrus orchards surrounding the town. Lots of activities from the hot water springs, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding or simply relaxing.
- MONTAGU – situated 200kms from Cape Town on the Route 62, the longest wine route in the world…they also have hot water springs, historic buildings, of course wine tasting, nature and mountain hikes and excellent rock climbing.
- DARLING– my favorite dorpie to visit during the spring flower season and of course home to our much loved local comedian Pieter Dirk Uys. As with all these country villages, there is a wide variety of accommodation to choose from and people just seem friendlier and more helpful…they have some good wineries to choose from, a very interesting museum and of course, Evita se Peron which is a must for every visitor.
- GREYTON - a really beautiful village at the bottom of the Riviersonderend Mountain Range, thatched cottages, restored buildings and pretty gardens remind one a little of English villages. Excellent craft market on Sundays especially for antique and art lovers, good short and overnight hiking trails
- MCGREGOR – another picture-perfect village similar to Greyton on the Route 62, in fact you can take a 6hr hike from Greyton to McGregor, they also have an excellent Saturday morning market, well known for their local artists, a lovely place to go to with friends and just catch up as you meander around the village
As I said, this is my personal list for 2012 so don’t shoot me down if your favorite dorpie is not on the list, rather click onto the comment section above and let me know which places you like to visit within 2hrs drive of Cape Town. Do share too with your friends on Facebook or twitter, it may just inspire you to get away for a long weekend or try the road less travelled if you are a visitor from another country. Do also click onto the links ie the names of the towns for more info, just saying….some people are a little more technically challenged than others!
Written by my first guest writer, Josh Baker – an entertaining blog on the effort it takes to get onto those slopes.
I recently took a trip to a beautiful Ski Village called Sölden, situated in the Ötztal region of Austria. Although this area is a bit more on the pricy side, you are always guaranteed snow due to its high elevated glaciers from October to April with some 148km of ski slopes PLUS it is also ranked as one of the best après skiing in Austria.
After living in Central Europe for a number of years and having become well accustomed to the short and often dark days that characterize autumn weather, a break to the Alps, is all that is needed to get the spirits up; fresh crisp air, sunshine, great food, and of course, good company.
My trip, which included my family and partner, was in celebration of my father’s recent 60th birthday. Our aim was to show him that age is really but a number! He certainly got his money’s worth!
It seems everyone always talks about the wonders of skiing, but very quickly forgets the major mission it is just getting to the ski slopes. We began our day in style with freshly baked croissants and pastries delivered to our door from the local bakery. This was courtesy of the great hospitality provided to us by Apartments Leni. Once well fuelled up on tasty pastries, we began the major task of getting dressed into our ski gear.
First piece of advice when going skiing, get into your ski gear before you have breakfast. These outfits are tight, and with the winter kilos firmly in place, that extra croissant may not be the best idea. After putting on about 10 layers of clothing and looking like the Michelin man, I then realized I needed the toilet. I am not going to go into detail, but let’s just say, second piece of advice, go to the toilet before you put your ski gear on… Continue reading
“A Picture is worth a thousand words” and to expand on my last blog on Prague, I definitely think that only my photographs will be able to depict the “wonderland” atmosphere in the Old City at this time of the year. The glittering lights, the gorgeous Christmas tree, the rows of wooden huts all dressed up in their finery displaying their wares from local food delicacies to handmade Christmas ornaments and crafts, hot mulled wine and Christmas carols – all makes for a wonderful fairytale Christmas.
Christmas Market in the Old Town Square – in the background is the Church of Our Lady before Týn (in Czech Kostel Matky Boží před Týnem)– this church has been the main church of the city since the 14th century.
On my second visit to Prague last week, I chatted to a local young lady who has lived in Prague all her life and asked her what her top five recommendations would be if she only had a couple of days to spend in the city. Here is what she advises:
- Take a walk from the Old Town Square to Prague Castle. Along the way join the crowd at the Astronomical Clock to watch the procession of the Twelve Apostles – on the hour, every hour, a small trap door opens in the clock and Christ emerges followed by his disciples. The first base of the clock was installed in 1410 alongside the Old Town Hall Tower which was built in 1338 – I am constantly amazed at what people invented and built 8 centuries ago!!From here, proceed to the Charles Bridge, (built between 1357 – 1402), one of the city’s finest attractions. The bridge is the main pedestrian connection between the Old Town and Prague Castle giving visitors magnificent fairytale views of the Prague skyline.
From the bridge you can already see Prague Castle, the largest medieval castle complex in Europe. Here you will find the Saint Vitus Cathedral, the most recognisable landmark in the city. Having being commissioned by Charles IV, work began in 1344 and took nearly six centuries to complete – almost too hard to comprehend….. today, the castle is the seat of the President of the Republic. Watch out for the changing of the guard at the front gates every hour and at noon, the ceremony includes a fanfare, great fun!
- Prague Castle with the St Vitus Cathedral
