Well what a trip so far
I met the group in the morning and after breakfast we boarded the bus to do the city tour.
Due to some strange weather we had a group briefing on the bus as Table mountain was closed.
we finished the city tour after visiting the Millnerton Light house and then regrouped at 18:15 where we headed of to the gold restaurant for some drumming and dinner.
The next morning we managed to get Table mountain what a treat, then we shot of for the tour to cape of good hope and the penguins, and returned to the hotel.
the following day we headed for La Vierge restaurant near Hermanus, again the weather started to turn, a little windy but great food, and we over knighted at the Arrebella, where this time all went well.
We had three peeps who ventured out on the white shark cage dive, but due to large seas they only saw one about 3m in length but all got sea sick, the rest of the group enjoyed a relaxing day in Hermanus shopping and lunching. That evening we all got together to talk about the days experiences, and had some good laughs.
We then had to have a 5am breakfast and of to the airport to fly to Joberg and then what should have been a 3hr drive but ended up 4and a half hours as some guest thought they had lost things turned the bus around looked all over for them then found them chaos but any way we got to Entabeni and on the way to the lodge we saw 3 Lions with a kill and 2 Cheetah disappearing into the long grass.
The next morning we were sadly welcomed by some extreme weather loads and loads of rain no game drive, we all sat around the camp and at 4pm the rangers said ok lets try, 200m up the road stuck in mud game over.
the next morning we were going to have a 6am breakfast then leave at 7am incase we got stuck how ever the weather cleared up and one of the rangers came running to me " call the guests the Cheetah are very close " we managed to get all on the jeeps in 10 min and drove around for about 25 min and there they were two awesome cheetah on the road. We went back to lodge had breakfast and made our way to the bus sneaking in a 2hr game drive were we found the lions some giraffe wildebeest zebra and impala, finally some smiles.
On the bus and back to Joberg for a Soweto tour and on to the Da Vinci hotel befor leaving to Vic Falls Zimbabwe.
Jason Mair
Tracey my Wife
Saturday, 8 March 2014
Thursday, 27 February 2014
New Tour South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana by Collette Vactions
Well I am Back and yes another adventure starts.
Those of you who know I love to visit the northern boarder of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Yes that's right I am heading there again heeehaaa
Just a small bump to the start of my leg plane had mechanical problem so we were delayed by 4hrs, but any way got to Cape Town to some awesome weather 42 deg C awesome.
so I am waiting for group to filter in and tomorrow we will begin the adventure.
Those of you who know I love to visit the northern boarder of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Yes that's right I am heading there again heeehaaa
Just a small bump to the start of my leg plane had mechanical problem so we were delayed by 4hrs, but any way got to Cape Town to some awesome weather 42 deg C awesome.
so I am waiting for group to filter in and tomorrow we will begin the adventure.
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Floral wonders tour part two (collette)
Well we left the hotel in PE and visited the Donkin and started our voyage to Knysna
I tried to make a visit to a Protea farm but they where unhelp full and rude, how ever the little tea garden was amazing on the PE side of the Tsitsikamma village, the owner was so pleased to show her garden of it was an absolute treat, from there we visited the Big tree forest and wow were they stoked, all sorts of different interests broke out it was great to see.
then we stopped in Plett for a bite to eat, and on to Knysna. Dinner at the Cruise café was good and all had fun.
a great lye in the next morning and time for them selves, the a light lunch and of to the Feather Bed, time for some exercise.
The next morning we left for a long bus day to Hermanus.
We stopped in Mossel Bay and the Aloe factory then headed for Hermanus, I took them to the rotary look out and wow were they stoked with all the Fynbos and everlastings in bloom.
And of to the Arrabella Hotel
OUCH what a stuff up because the had a massive conference on they were not interested in the group
I had called 2 days in advance to confirm the booking, on arrival nothing and they said their computers are of line, so I asked if they could sort out a welcome drink that took 45min, it took 2 hours from the time we arrived to the time we got our keys, and they didn't work either we had to keep going to reception to ask them to send security to open. my worst check in ever and sad as it was a beautiful hotel.
The next day we left and visited the Herold Porter Botanical gardens which was really good for both the plants and birds. Then we left for Worchester and the Karoo botanical gardens and on to Stellenbosch to Spier hotel NICE.
Next Morning we visited the Stellenbosch where I had arranged the Curator to give us a talk and it turned out to be a great visit, then a tour through Stellenbosch and back to the hotel where we had a great dinner with wine matching.
Today we headed to Cape town and up the Table Mountain what an awesome day all were very happy, the a city tour and on to the hotel and some down time, now they are enjoying home hosted dinners.
tomorrow is a 3 hour visit to Kirstenbosch.
I tried to make a visit to a Protea farm but they where unhelp full and rude, how ever the little tea garden was amazing on the PE side of the Tsitsikamma village, the owner was so pleased to show her garden of it was an absolute treat, from there we visited the Big tree forest and wow were they stoked, all sorts of different interests broke out it was great to see.
then we stopped in Plett for a bite to eat, and on to Knysna. Dinner at the Cruise café was good and all had fun.
a great lye in the next morning and time for them selves, the a light lunch and of to the Feather Bed, time for some exercise.
The next morning we left for a long bus day to Hermanus.
We stopped in Mossel Bay and the Aloe factory then headed for Hermanus, I took them to the rotary look out and wow were they stoked with all the Fynbos and everlastings in bloom.
And of to the Arrabella Hotel
OUCH what a stuff up because the had a massive conference on they were not interested in the group
I had called 2 days in advance to confirm the booking, on arrival nothing and they said their computers are of line, so I asked if they could sort out a welcome drink that took 45min, it took 2 hours from the time we arrived to the time we got our keys, and they didn't work either we had to keep going to reception to ask them to send security to open. my worst check in ever and sad as it was a beautiful hotel.
The next day we left and visited the Herold Porter Botanical gardens which was really good for both the plants and birds. Then we left for Worchester and the Karoo botanical gardens and on to Stellenbosch to Spier hotel NICE.
Next Morning we visited the Stellenbosch where I had arranged the Curator to give us a talk and it turned out to be a great visit, then a tour through Stellenbosch and back to the hotel where we had a great dinner with wine matching.
Today we headed to Cape town and up the Table Mountain what an awesome day all were very happy, the a city tour and on to the hotel and some down time, now they are enjoying home hosted dinners.
tomorrow is a 3 hour visit to Kirstenbosch.
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
Collette Floral Wonders 2014
Well hi there all, its great to be back on the road with all the ups and downs it starts.
On Sat 1 Feb 2014 the group arrived in staggered arrivals, Sunday morning we have breakfast and a quick welcome briefing.
And we are of, well talking to the step on guide he suggests to start with the Joberg Botanical Gardens, I tried to get hold of them since the Friday but no answer, as the entrance was all ready sorted I thought sure, so we get there and at 10am the lady answers her phone and said no 2pm, any way she was there in 20 min and we walked through a very disappointing garden.
Then we left for the Walter Sisulu National Botanical gardens, also ending up with a bit of issues at the gate, but anyway we got in and wow a really nice place, similar in a way to Kirstenbosch but they have a really pretty water fall and the Black Eagles nesting there.
from there we wen to lunch in Soweto at just after 2pm, then did a Soweto tour and back to the hotel.
The welcome dinner went well and all went to bed early.
Monday morning we had a whopper of a thunder storm and a lot of rain, at 9:30am I had arranged a private garden visit, at the St Christopher gardens ( www.stchristophergardens.co.za ) have a look wow wow wow , a really lovely place and so I made up my brownie points again, from there we went to Pretoria and saw the Union Buildings gardens then we stopped for a quick lunch and made a dash for Kruger park. we got to Nelspruit and I asked the driver if he knows the way he said sure, when I turned around to look again we were on a gravel road heading towards Kruger and the back of the Numbi Township, how we ended up back on the Numbi Road I still don't know but any way 7:10pm we arrived at the Paul Kruger Protea hotel.
We all went to are rooms waited for luggage then straight to dinner then to bed as 5:00am wake up for Safari.
5:30 am and we are in the park, first we come across a massive Bull elephant, around the next corner 16 lions, Wow about 30min later 2 white rhino then another 4 lions wow this is turning out to be a great day. We stopped for breakfast and then we were of again and we find 2 Ground hornbills around the bend a black rhino, then about 6 wild dogs lying down a few minuets later 5 more dogs then 8 more dogs then 4 more lions and two making out, then we find 2 Sable antelope wow its of the chart on what a day we had, we got the impalas and the kudu, giraffe, zebra, hippos buffalo, lots of birds, crocs etc
By the time 4pom came and arrived at the hotel the guests were very happy and so was I what a great day in the bush. For a one day safari they got about a weeks worth of animals.
Today we drove back to Joberg and caught the plane to PE where tomorrow we head down to Knysna.
I have added some new photos from this trip and removed some old ones I hope you are pleased with these.
On Sat 1 Feb 2014 the group arrived in staggered arrivals, Sunday morning we have breakfast and a quick welcome briefing.
And we are of, well talking to the step on guide he suggests to start with the Joberg Botanical Gardens, I tried to get hold of them since the Friday but no answer, as the entrance was all ready sorted I thought sure, so we get there and at 10am the lady answers her phone and said no 2pm, any way she was there in 20 min and we walked through a very disappointing garden.
Then we left for the Walter Sisulu National Botanical gardens, also ending up with a bit of issues at the gate, but anyway we got in and wow a really nice place, similar in a way to Kirstenbosch but they have a really pretty water fall and the Black Eagles nesting there.
from there we wen to lunch in Soweto at just after 2pm, then did a Soweto tour and back to the hotel.
The welcome dinner went well and all went to bed early.
Monday morning we had a whopper of a thunder storm and a lot of rain, at 9:30am I had arranged a private garden visit, at the St Christopher gardens ( www.stchristophergardens.co.za ) have a look wow wow wow , a really lovely place and so I made up my brownie points again, from there we went to Pretoria and saw the Union Buildings gardens then we stopped for a quick lunch and made a dash for Kruger park. we got to Nelspruit and I asked the driver if he knows the way he said sure, when I turned around to look again we were on a gravel road heading towards Kruger and the back of the Numbi Township, how we ended up back on the Numbi Road I still don't know but any way 7:10pm we arrived at the Paul Kruger Protea hotel.
We all went to are rooms waited for luggage then straight to dinner then to bed as 5:00am wake up for Safari.
5:30 am and we are in the park, first we come across a massive Bull elephant, around the next corner 16 lions, Wow about 30min later 2 white rhino then another 4 lions wow this is turning out to be a great day. We stopped for breakfast and then we were of again and we find 2 Ground hornbills around the bend a black rhino, then about 6 wild dogs lying down a few minuets later 5 more dogs then 8 more dogs then 4 more lions and two making out, then we find 2 Sable antelope wow its of the chart on what a day we had, we got the impalas and the kudu, giraffe, zebra, hippos buffalo, lots of birds, crocs etc
By the time 4pom came and arrived at the hotel the guests were very happy and so was I what a great day in the bush. For a one day safari they got about a weeks worth of animals.
Today we drove back to Joberg and caught the plane to PE where tomorrow we head down to Knysna.
I have added some new photos from this trip and removed some old ones I hope you are pleased with these.
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Happy New year and a quick catch up
WOW
So it is all ready 2014 and things are on full steam
Just to catch up from last year I did a last minuet tour in November called Bush fields and Battle fields which took me into parts of South Africa I haven't been to in over 20 years, it was shocking to see how these little towns are fading away and nothing being done to uplift them. But never the less interesting to see and I thank my mom for leaving those places when we did, so I have fond memories of them.
Then It was the Christmas break for the kids and spent time at home with them, going to the beach and the beach.....
at home Tracey had plans for me to do some DIY so I built a deck and cladded around the front door.
Chase had some Hockey training which he said helped him learn some new things, preparing for his Holland trip in March ( again to all who have helped towards making this happen for him a very big thank you, we would never have been able to do it other wise)
Then my first tour for 2014 was a French day tour from East London to a private game reserve called Kariega, who have the big 5 free roaming and we almost got to see a kill, three lion cubs with wart hog, but the warthogs were to quick.
I was really nervous doing the French thing as it has been 10 years since my last one but it went well.
Today Jan 15 kids are back at school first day of the year Chase is in grade 10 and Summer grade 6
for those of you who haven't seen them in a long time Chase is taller than Tracey.....
As for me I had a really great Bike ride on the 11th of Jan with Friend we left home at 7am and returned after 7:45pm covered over 800km on both tar and Gravel roads, Places I didn't even know existed and saw so much History from the early 1800 to present, was also awesome scenery Landscapes, trees building etc .
I start a new adventure beginning Feb so I will be back around then see you all there
So it is all ready 2014 and things are on full steam
Just to catch up from last year I did a last minuet tour in November called Bush fields and Battle fields which took me into parts of South Africa I haven't been to in over 20 years, it was shocking to see how these little towns are fading away and nothing being done to uplift them. But never the less interesting to see and I thank my mom for leaving those places when we did, so I have fond memories of them.
Then It was the Christmas break for the kids and spent time at home with them, going to the beach and the beach.....
at home Tracey had plans for me to do some DIY so I built a deck and cladded around the front door.
Chase had some Hockey training which he said helped him learn some new things, preparing for his Holland trip in March ( again to all who have helped towards making this happen for him a very big thank you, we would never have been able to do it other wise)
Then my first tour for 2014 was a French day tour from East London to a private game reserve called Kariega, who have the big 5 free roaming and we almost got to see a kill, three lion cubs with wart hog, but the warthogs were to quick.
I was really nervous doing the French thing as it has been 10 years since my last one but it went well.
Today Jan 15 kids are back at school first day of the year Chase is in grade 10 and Summer grade 6
for those of you who haven't seen them in a long time Chase is taller than Tracey.....
As for me I had a really great Bike ride on the 11th of Jan with Friend we left home at 7am and returned after 7:45pm covered over 800km on both tar and Gravel roads, Places I didn't even know existed and saw so much History from the early 1800 to present, was also awesome scenery Landscapes, trees building etc .
I start a new adventure beginning Feb so I will be back around then see you all there
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