Out of the three things we were meant to do today we managed only one and in the rain.
We saw the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. We had a short walking tour with the local guide. He was very interesting. The cloud is so far down on the Mountain there is no point in going up. However we have our tickets and we will keep an eye on the weather---- forecast not too hopeful.
Robben Island is a no-go because of the wind. No re-bookings available until Wednesday when we will be back in UK.
We had a look at the small exhibition about Robben Island at the terminal. We thought it quite interesting. We also went to the Chavonnes Battery Museum. The Waterfront was not really our cup-of-tea since it was full of shops.
Off to the Cape Point tomorrow.
It is so annoying since we have had really superb sunny weather until now!!!!!
Mum
Sunday 26 May 2013
Saturday 25 May 2013
Wine Tasting
Off early today to the wine farms. We saw the Hugenot monument and the Nelson Mandella "Long Walk to Freedom" prison where he was released. We then had a tasting session and a tour of the red wine cellar.
A bus tour of Stellenbosch followed. I think it was our kind of town. We had lunch at Mojo and got really stuffed full. It was lovely. Another wine tasting followed but no cellar tour. We both preferred the first wine farm's product.
We rushed back to the city to try for Table Mountain but it was completely enshrouded with cloud. Unfortunately, the weather which has so far been marvellous is set to deteriorate and I think the top will be out of the question.
We headed for V&A waterfront for a wander. What a place!!!!!
There is a shuttle bus from the hotel every hour.
Rugby on TV. Super League from Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
Mum and Dad
A bus tour of Stellenbosch followed. I think it was our kind of town. We had lunch at Mojo and got really stuffed full. It was lovely. Another wine tasting followed but no cellar tour. We both preferred the first wine farm's product.
We rushed back to the city to try for Table Mountain but it was completely enshrouded with cloud. Unfortunately, the weather which has so far been marvellous is set to deteriorate and I think the top will be out of the question.
We headed for V&A waterfront for a wander. What a place!!!!!
There is a shuttle bus from the hotel every hour.
Rugby on TV. Super League from Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
Mum and Dad
Friday 24 May 2013
Train Journey and such
We have safely arrived in CapeTown. No posts because the train was incommunicado!
Pretty full days. Train named Pride of Africa owned by a private company and supposed to be the ultimate in luxury.
The suite was a pullman-- basic one-- but it had ensuite shower etc and a couch which converted to a double bed while we ate dinner. There was a small table and a fridge which was stocked with whatever you ordered and it was all included. The train had two lounges and an observation platform at the back.
We had our first view of the Drakensbergs in the afternoon as we had afternoon tea. The first full day was spent in the Kruger National Park. We saw loads of animals and enjoyed lunch in the park before rejoining the train at Komatipoort.
Next stop was in Zululand and we headed for another nature reserve at Hluhluwe. Again many, many animals and birds. We were able to view the Valley of a Thousand Hills from the train while heading to Durban. We had a short tour there and went to the beach.
We paid a visit to a ceramics studio. Beautiful pottery being made at extortionate prices. The artists were from Zimbabwe. The estate was called Ardmore and had all the autumn colours as you would expect at home.
We had a tour of Bloemfontein and went to the National Women's Memorial. I had never heard of the terrible things women had had to suffer during the Boer War--- concentration camps. It was quite moving. Due to train running late we missed the crossing of the Orange River because it was too dark.
Addo Elephant Park was next--- not just elephants but everything really.
Port Elizabeth was a bit of a disaster because we were supposed to be there for a couple of hours but it was nearer four and again the scenery was missed in the darkness.
We visited an ostrich farm and Dad had a sit on an ostrich's back! They are suffering from bird flu in South Africa just now and so it was a bit limited. There are six people who are on a golf holiday on the train. Dad was so jealous when they went off to play Leopards Creek! We joined them at Fancourt Golf Estate for dinner one night but the train was a better meal and the service on the train much better.
The train stayed in George while we drove to Knysna where we took a boat trip the the Featherbed Nature Reserve right out on the headlands to the Indian Ocean--- just like the Souters at Cromarty! Lovely walk and my knee was reasonable on the steep walk down.
Great scenery on theGarden Route along Mousel Bay.
This morning we stopped next to a Brandy Distillery (KWV) and got a free sample and tasting session.
Tomorrow off wine taasting and hopefully Table Mountain since weather is supposed to get dodgy after that.
Really had a lovely train journey.Looking forward to seeing this area now.
Mum and Dad
Pretty full days. Train named Pride of Africa owned by a private company and supposed to be the ultimate in luxury.
The suite was a pullman-- basic one-- but it had ensuite shower etc and a couch which converted to a double bed while we ate dinner. There was a small table and a fridge which was stocked with whatever you ordered and it was all included. The train had two lounges and an observation platform at the back.
We had our first view of the Drakensbergs in the afternoon as we had afternoon tea. The first full day was spent in the Kruger National Park. We saw loads of animals and enjoyed lunch in the park before rejoining the train at Komatipoort.
Next stop was in Zululand and we headed for another nature reserve at Hluhluwe. Again many, many animals and birds. We were able to view the Valley of a Thousand Hills from the train while heading to Durban. We had a short tour there and went to the beach.
We paid a visit to a ceramics studio. Beautiful pottery being made at extortionate prices. The artists were from Zimbabwe. The estate was called Ardmore and had all the autumn colours as you would expect at home.
We had a tour of Bloemfontein and went to the National Women's Memorial. I had never heard of the terrible things women had had to suffer during the Boer War--- concentration camps. It was quite moving. Due to train running late we missed the crossing of the Orange River because it was too dark.
Addo Elephant Park was next--- not just elephants but everything really.
Port Elizabeth was a bit of a disaster because we were supposed to be there for a couple of hours but it was nearer four and again the scenery was missed in the darkness.
We visited an ostrich farm and Dad had a sit on an ostrich's back! They are suffering from bird flu in South Africa just now and so it was a bit limited. There are six people who are on a golf holiday on the train. Dad was so jealous when they went off to play Leopards Creek! We joined them at Fancourt Golf Estate for dinner one night but the train was a better meal and the service on the train much better.
The train stayed in George while we drove to Knysna where we took a boat trip the the Featherbed Nature Reserve right out on the headlands to the Indian Ocean--- just like the Souters at Cromarty! Lovely walk and my knee was reasonable on the steep walk down.
Great scenery on theGarden Route along Mousel Bay.
This morning we stopped next to a Brandy Distillery (KWV) and got a free sample and tasting session.
Tomorrow off wine taasting and hopefully Table Mountain since weather is supposed to get dodgy after that.
Really had a lovely train journey.Looking forward to seeing this area now.
Mum and Dad
Wednesday 15 May 2013
Zambia visit
with no real problems with the journey to Johannesburg and changing to SAA at the "bus terminal" that's what it looked like to take us out to the plane. We were met in Livingstone and taken to the hotel at the Falls. It is in a compound with guards. But it is lovely and the staff very nice too.
First afternoon we went on the Zambezi and sailed into the sunset on the African Queen. Just missed Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Very sophisticated and relaxing.
Next morning Nawa came and took us on a guided tour to the Falls which are in walking distance from the hotel but we were taken in a car!
In the afternoon we flew over the Falls both on the Zambian side and Zimbabwean side. The pilot was from Oban. He took us into the canyons too which was quite scary and exciting.
Tuesday was a long day. We were off by 7.30 to Botswana. What a crossing!!!! This is a ferry crossing and we were taken by a small speed boat but huge lorries were waiting to get across and the ferry only took 2 at a time. Some must have waited for days I think. It was quite chaotic looking to us but Nawa smoothed things for us.
Once on the other side we were taken to a hotel before going on a bvoat trip on the Chobe River which borders Namibia. You couldn't describe the animals we saw. Hippos practically alongside us, impala on the shore with vervet monkeys, pied kingfishers. The list just goes on. But the highlight was the twenty young bull elephants gathering on the shore to swim to the island to graze. Absolutely amazing. The "Jesus" bird because people think it can walk on water and its clutch of eggs.
Back to the hotel for lunch and then on land safari. Again just amazing--- waterhogs, buffalo, kudu, zebu, giraffes and elephants galore. Lots of little ones.
Just so much to take in.
Journey back into Zambia in reverse and more chaos and money for re-entry. But all connections absolutely spot on.
Now in Pretoria. Again the arrangements are tiptop.
Janette and Hugh
First afternoon we went on the Zambezi and sailed into the sunset on the African Queen. Just missed Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Very sophisticated and relaxing.
Next morning Nawa came and took us on a guided tour to the Falls which are in walking distance from the hotel but we were taken in a car!
In the afternoon we flew over the Falls both on the Zambian side and Zimbabwean side. The pilot was from Oban. He took us into the canyons too which was quite scary and exciting.
Tuesday was a long day. We were off by 7.30 to Botswana. What a crossing!!!! This is a ferry crossing and we were taken by a small speed boat but huge lorries were waiting to get across and the ferry only took 2 at a time. Some must have waited for days I think. It was quite chaotic looking to us but Nawa smoothed things for us.
Once on the other side we were taken to a hotel before going on a bvoat trip on the Chobe River which borders Namibia. You couldn't describe the animals we saw. Hippos practically alongside us, impala on the shore with vervet monkeys, pied kingfishers. The list just goes on. But the highlight was the twenty young bull elephants gathering on the shore to swim to the island to graze. Absolutely amazing. The "Jesus" bird because people think it can walk on water and its clutch of eggs.
Back to the hotel for lunch and then on land safari. Again just amazing--- waterhogs, buffalo, kudu, zebu, giraffes and elephants galore. Lots of little ones.
Just so much to take in.
Journey back into Zambia in reverse and more chaos and money for re-entry. But all connections absolutely spot on.
Now in Pretoria. Again the arrangements are tiptop.
Janette and Hugh
Saturday 17 March 2012
This is something very new for us. We are on an island but it is covered in many hotel complexes. We are in the Radisson which is very nice but it is designed that you never need to leave the complex.
The temperature is 31 degrees and there was a lighning show tonight. We also saw the stars again. The sun goes down at 6.15 pm. and will rise in the morning at 6.15 am. Hope to go in the sea tomorrow. We did the adult only pool today.
I don't think there is any point in going out of the hotel since the surrounding countryside is very third worldy. No tours and suggestion of hiring a car I don't think is a sensible option.
So we are just going to "chill" out until we leave on Tuesday.
There are six of us in the Saga extension but you could be around and not see them.
I can hardly believe the holiday is over after waiting for it for so long.
See you soon.
LOL M&D
The temperature is 31 degrees and there was a lighning show tonight. We also saw the stars again. The sun goes down at 6.15 pm. and will rise in the morning at 6.15 am. Hope to go in the sea tomorrow. We did the adult only pool today.
I don't think there is any point in going out of the hotel since the surrounding countryside is very third worldy. No tours and suggestion of hiring a car I don't think is a sensible option.
So we are just going to "chill" out until we leave on Tuesday.
There are six of us in the Saga extension but you could be around and not see them.
I can hardly believe the holiday is over after waiting for it for so long.
See you soon.
LOL M&D
Thursday 15 March 2012
Here at the airport in Christchurch. We had a lovely day in Dunedin or our own. We saw an Edwardian home--- the nearest thing they have to history and then went to a newly constructed Chinese Garden. It had been assembled in China first, then dismantled and reconstructed in the city. Lovely and peaceful place. In the afternoon we went to the Botanic Gardens to visit the aviary where the white parrot has a blether with you.
On the move again and we stopped first at Moeraki Boulders. They are crustaceans on the shore. It was a very brief visit since it was driving rain.
We headed to Sir Edmund Hilary's Alpine display where we were meant to see Mount Cook. But before we got there we dropped off six people --- your Dad included-- for the delayed helicopter flight up to the Tasman Glacier. That was as far as they could go due to the cloud. I saw the statue of Hilary and then we returned to pick up the others.
We spent the night last night at Lake Ohau at a family run ski resort. It was just our kind of place and we would love to have spent more time there but it was lovely weather. You just couldn't believe the contrast between the weather going up to see Sir Edmund and the weather on the way back. The sky was blue and the Lake was just so clear and blue! Our bedroom had big glassdoors looking right up the valley to Mount Cook. Unfortunately it kept itself hidden. We saw the southern skies after the sun went down and I think I saw the Southern Cross.
Today we saw the biggest knitted jersey in the world -- Guiness Book of Records -- in a place called Geraldine.
We then had a look around Christchurch for a couple of hours. It is still quite a mess from last year but I think it would have been a place we would have enjoyed. We saw the hotel we should have stayed in and it is in the Red Zone which needs to be demolished.
Now at the airport. We fly to Aukland tonight in an hour and off to Fiji tomorrow morning.
Hope all well.
LOL M&D
On the move again and we stopped first at Moeraki Boulders. They are crustaceans on the shore. It was a very brief visit since it was driving rain.
We headed to Sir Edmund Hilary's Alpine display where we were meant to see Mount Cook. But before we got there we dropped off six people --- your Dad included-- for the delayed helicopter flight up to the Tasman Glacier. That was as far as they could go due to the cloud. I saw the statue of Hilary and then we returned to pick up the others.
We spent the night last night at Lake Ohau at a family run ski resort. It was just our kind of place and we would love to have spent more time there but it was lovely weather. You just couldn't believe the contrast between the weather going up to see Sir Edmund and the weather on the way back. The sky was blue and the Lake was just so clear and blue! Our bedroom had big glassdoors looking right up the valley to Mount Cook. Unfortunately it kept itself hidden. We saw the southern skies after the sun went down and I think I saw the Southern Cross.
Today we saw the biggest knitted jersey in the world -- Guiness Book of Records -- in a place called Geraldine.
We then had a look around Christchurch for a couple of hours. It is still quite a mess from last year but I think it would have been a place we would have enjoyed. We saw the hotel we should have stayed in and it is in the Red Zone which needs to be demolished.
Now at the airport. We fly to Aukland tonight in an hour and off to Fiji tomorrow morning.
Hope all well.
LOL M&D
Monday 12 March 2012
We had a quiet run to Dunedin, arriving about 2pm. Although they say it is Edinburgh, I think it is only like Edinburgh in its street names. We walked back from the centre of the town along Princes Street and George Street having seen Robert Burns statue in the middle of the Octagon--- the main "square".
After we arrived we headed immediately on a wild life tour. We drove along the top of the Otago Penninsula to a whaling station to pick up a boat and we went albatross watching. We saw two kinds-- mainly Royal but one Buller. We also saw some seals and loads of shags of several types.
We came back to the city by the boat. After we saw the wildlife they put the sides of the boat down -- plastic screens-- and switched on a heater, served hot drinks and hot pies!
Today we went on a private railway up the Taieri Gorge for 50 km. What scenery over several viaducts and through some tunnels. You could have touched both sides of the tunnel at one point it was so tight!
The railway station is quite something too with majolica tiles made by Royal Doulton. We went to see the Sport Hall of Fame. We saw some memorabelia about Colin Mead-- we saw him getting sent off at Murrayfield in 1967!
Early dinner tonight but we have a last free day here tomorrow.
LOL M&D
After we arrived we headed immediately on a wild life tour. We drove along the top of the Otago Penninsula to a whaling station to pick up a boat and we went albatross watching. We saw two kinds-- mainly Royal but one Buller. We also saw some seals and loads of shags of several types.
We came back to the city by the boat. After we saw the wildlife they put the sides of the boat down -- plastic screens-- and switched on a heater, served hot drinks and hot pies!
Today we went on a private railway up the Taieri Gorge for 50 km. What scenery over several viaducts and through some tunnels. You could have touched both sides of the tunnel at one point it was so tight!
The railway station is quite something too with majolica tiles made by Royal Doulton. We went to see the Sport Hall of Fame. We saw some memorabelia about Colin Mead-- we saw him getting sent off at Murrayfield in 1967!
Early dinner tonight but we have a last free day here tomorrow.
LOL M&D
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