For most of my life I’ve suffered from a serious ailment – a chronic case of the travel bug. After a few weeks at home, I feel like I need to travel. But I prefer not to spend too much on my holidays because that makes me feel guilty...and indulgent. Having a tight budget does […]
The Animal World at Emerald Resort in the Vaal is probably not its most popular attraction for families with children. That title would probably go to the Aquadome - a climate-controlled indoor water wonderland. But in my opinion, it is underrated. With approximately 500 animals from over 80 species, it is worth a visit. Here […]
The quaint Victorian village of Matjiesfontein whispers of a rich history filled with money, murders and ghosts. It was established in 1883/1884 by a Scotsman, James Douglas Logan, as a health resort where those with lung complaints could recuperate. Logan believed that the Karoo air had cured his own weak chest. Lampposts from London were […]
Kimberley - City of Diamonds Did you know that Kimberley in South Africa was the very first city in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the first cities in the world to have electric street lights? It actually had electric street lights before London. This “Strange but true” fact was imparted to us by our tour […]
When I first heard about dinosaurs coming to South Africa, I asked my son if he wanted to go and see them. Having just watched the Jurassic Park series, his first question was “Real ones?”. No, my son, (un)fortunately not. But this is as close as you’re going to get to the real thing. Dinosaurs […]
2020 Update: Sunnyside Park Hotel has been rebranded to Holiday Inn Johannesburg Sunnyside Park It is not often that one gets to spend the night at a national monument and historic treasure. I had the privilege of doing just that recently. Right on my doorstep, in the historic suburb of Parktown, is a national monument […]
The Hot Air Balloon Experience We drifted lazily with the wind, up and away, enjoying the panoramic views of the beautiful Magalies River Valley. The early morning serenity and tranquility was punctuated only by the occasional chirping of birds and the frequent burst of flames into the hot air balloon . We spotted the popular Hartbeespoort […]
Rovos Rail - The Pride of Africa “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson I sat at the window of my ultra-luxurious suite and watched Africa go by. As the landscape transformed from congested city […]
If you are a golfer, or married to one as I am, then you may know that Fancourt is a golfer’s paradise. With three championship Gary Player golf courses consistently rated in the Top 20 Golf Courses in South Africa, it is easy to see why. What you may not know is that Fancourt is […]
The beauty was spectacular. I was surrounded by 2400 million year old mountains. Thirty metres below me, a pebbled stream ran through the gorge, flanked by mini-waterfalls. The air was fresh and the sun was shining through the trees. Forest birds and animals peered at us inquisitively. I was engulfed by an exhilarating feeling of […]
Bush adventures in Kruger National Park My husband and I are bush (safari) addicts. We travel to game reserves, utilising any opportunity we get. Armed with the all-important map of the reserve, our checklist promising the many different species one can see there and some snacks to keep us going until we get to the […]
This post is based on my visit in 2014. The lodge has now been renamed to African Hills Safari Lodge & Spa and the reserve is now called Plumari Private Reserve. (2021 update) Askari Game Lodge and Spa Review I was kissed by an 18 year old elephant. It was a big, wet, slobbery kiss, but […]
Nelson Mandela memorial service The atmosphere was electric – reminiscent of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a time when it was so beautiful to be South African. Despite it being a normal working day - and a gloomy, rainy day befitting the sad event- people came in their tens of thousands to the FNB stadium, the […]
Although I've been to the Johannesburg Zoo many times before, this was the first time I went for the Zoo Trot . It started at 7h30 which was a bit of a schlep as I had to wake up really early on the only day of the week that I can sleep in. Parking was also […]
In 1844, a colourful Voortrekker named Carel Pistorius bought a farm on the south bank of the Vaal River. Here he farmed sheep and planted a flourishing oak forest. Carel was better known as Kwaai Angus, a nickname he owed somewhat to his mistrust of women. The words "Women Deceiveth Ever" were even carved into […]
