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Escape to an African Winter
2008-03-17 14:08:00 Winter in Africa is not as dramatic an affair as it is in the Northern Hemisphere. In Africa we experience a rather temperate winter, a winter that is not of the blizzard or winter snow sort. Our winter is a much friendlier version that encourages us to come play outside and in some instances even frolic through the beach surf at one of the many African beaches such as Durban or Ballito Bay. If frolicking through the beach surf is not your idea of a winter well spent, don’t worry we have the cosy Game Reserve option. Now this is a particularly good pick because it is in the winter that African wildlife is more active and better spotted. Imagine being at the Kruger National Park in front of a crackling African fire, snug and warm under a blanket and excited with the anticipation of knowing that within minutes you would be whisked off for some of the World’s best game viewing. South Africa’s Mpumalanga region happens to be an ideal place to spe... More About: Winter , Escape
Zukie's African Romance Tips
2008-01-11 12:12:00 African Proposal Tips : * No matter how romantic a gesture you think it would be do not stand on the edge of table mountain while popping the question. * If you plan on popping the question on Valentine’s Day, guaranteed you will not be the only one so send us you proposal date early and we’ll make it extra special by planning everything for you right down to the T. *Remember an African Romance ring can make your proposal special but choosing the perfect location will make it Magical so let us help you make the perfect choice for you and you partner. * Before committing to a ring, check out the African Romance collections to further authenticate your African proposal and maybe even go on a diamond polishing tour. African Wedding Tips Weddings are generally precarious and curious events and as such should be approached with the greatest of consideration, so the more romantic and fantasy-like the better. * Pezula offers wo... More About: African
Story of an African Wedding
2008-01-11 10:56:00 The Story of an African Romance…. Nontando’s Romantic African Wedding … The lobola negotiations obviously having gone well, it is now the night before the wedding. Nontando seems to be walking around almost in a daze as she surveys the wedding preparations. Happy excitement is framed in her tired glance that makes her look beautiful yet vulnerable. The last minute catering cancellation, and time that seems to be slipping away ever so steadily, has not dampened her spirits as she smiles at my cousin and I approaching her. We have come to lend our moral support and stand in solidarity with our friend as she prepares to enter o...
South African Holiday
2008-01-09 22:15:00 Priya, Many thanks for your wishes for Christmas and for this coming new year. Also best wishes for you and your family. Concerning your last mail and post card, I received nothing. Your last mail is dated from the 26th of October. Concerning the feedback of our trip, please find hereafter our remarks and feelings. As you can remember it started with some difficulties in France with the Air France strike. Finally we managed to join Johanneburg the next day. We had also some difficulties at the airport because nobody was aware of our delayed arrival. The contact person wited for us on the initial foreseen Air France flight and had not received any information on the new flight. It was the same at the Europcar counter where no car was available because it was sent back as we did not arrive in the evening as foreseen. (Nobody informed the people who waited for us, Europcar and the Hotel from our Airflight problems) Nevertheless We managed to join Hilltop Camp just 10 minutes after t... More About: Holiday , South , South African , African
Amarula Meringue Dessert
2008-01-09 12:42:00 Journey to Africa for this romantic Amar ula Meringue Dessert . Made off exotic marula fruit only found in Southern Africa AMARULA MERINGUE DESSERT Ingredients: 4 egg whites 2 ml bicarbonate of soda 1 ml salt 375 ml castor sugar 30 ml corn flour 500 ml double cream 60-80 ml Amarula Cream 10 ml sticky brown sugar Pistachio nuts, chopped 50ml granadilla pulp 100 g dark chocolate, melted Fresh berries in season Serves 4-6 Method: Beat egg whites, bicarbonate of soda and salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add the castor sugar while beating. Beat until thick and shiny. Combine the corn flour and beat until well blended. Pour the meringue into a piping bag and squeeze little round shapes onto a greased baking tray. Bake in oven at 160OC for an hour or until dried out. To serve, whisk the cream, Amarula and sugar and spoon half the mixture into tall glasses. Crumble the meringues ... More About: Recipes , La Mer
The BIG Swing in Graskop, Mpumalanga (Panorama Route)
2007-11-23 10:17:00 On our recent visit to Mpumalanga & the Panorama Route , I decided to prove my manhood by jumping off a cliff with only a rope keeping me and my innards decorating the rocks below. The "Big Swing " in Graskop is the worlds highest cable gorge Swing. With a freefall of Freefall of 68 meters (19 Storeys High) that reaches 170km/h in 3 seconds its hard to not scream like a girl. I like to think I screamed like a man. After the brain numbing swing, they make you walk up 400 steps back to the top...no golf cart for my weak knees! View The Video HERE For the less intrepid adventurer, there is a 131m highwire "foofie slide " 80m above solid ground from where you can view the breathtaking Graskop Falls as never seen before. More About: Recipes , Malang
Imbuya Omelette by Lerato Modise
2007-10-23 13:30:00 Imbuya Omelette For a mouth-watering African breakfast try this hearty dish 3 large eggs 125ml (1/2) cooked imbuya (morogo) or spinach 125ml (1/2 cup cooked mielies (off cob) or canned whole kernel corn 4 chopped mint leaves Salt and pepper to taste 30ml (2T) atchar 45ml (3T) chopped spring onions Beat eggs together with imbuya, add half the of the mielie kernels, chopped mint, salt and pepper. Heat oil in non-stick frying pan. Pour egg mixture into pan and slide from side to side until pan is completely covered. Cook until bottom is set, lifting sides so that raw mixture runs underneath. Cook until base is brown, then remove from pan by carefully sliding omlette onto warm serving dish. While still hot, spoon the remaining mielies, atchar and spring onions into half of the omelette and fold. Serve immediately (Serves 4) More About: Recipes , Modi , Mele
Priya Pitamber Profile
2007-10-22 08:30:00 I mainly answer to the name of Priya, but people have used names like Prixie and Pri, as if my name requires a shorter version of it. After attending the inaugural South African Tourism Summer Travel Writing School in the beginning of 2006, travel writing is what I do and what I have come to adore. Other passions include reading, outdoor adventure activities, crafts like knitting and crocheting and cooking. My Achilles heel is anything chocolate (even martinis) and anything in pink. After that became more known, the weirdest question I was ever asked came up: do you also wear pink underwear? (I still remain mum on that to this day) I spit on hypocrisy, lies, racism, prejudices and paedophiles. I write both for my muse (who seems to be a work-aholic) and for my continued love affair with words. More About: Profile , Riya , Profil
Down south - by Priya Pitamber
2007-10-22 07:56:00 Priya Pitamber The smell of gunpowder hung heavy in the air. Sulphur choked the throats of the people in the street. Bombs shattered many an eardrum while flashes of light illuminated the night sky. There was energy in the air; streets were littered with cars and debris. People moved around furtively and quickly in groups from house to house. But no, this was not Baghdad nor any other war zone. However you are forgiven if you thought you were caught between enemy lines. It is just Lenasia, south of Johannesburg as it is on Diwali night. About two weeks before the main Diwali celebrations, Newtown, becoming increasingly known as a cultural hub of Johannesburg, played host to the second Diwali Festival this year. Beginning at 10am, day crowds were entertained by Indian and African dancers, music and a fusion of both too. Taste buds danced into a wild disco from the aromas of samoosas, biryani and other tantalising titbits. When the night greeted the audiences, the sky came aliv... More About: South , Riya , Down South
Christmas African Style !
2007-10-19 10:43:00 "Happy Krismas!" No not "Merry Christmas " "Happy Krismas!" this is what you are likely to hear in South Africa around this most jolly and festive season in Africa. This signals your first taste of Christmas, African style. In Africa Santa or rather Father Christmas does not have a sleigh bell, he sometimes wears shorts and depending on which shopping centre you find yourself at he can be Indian, Coloured, Black or White. The one thing our Father Christmas has in common with all the other Santas around the world though is that he always has a lap ready to hear about all the children's fantastical Christmas wishes no matter how big they are. So children line up excitedly for a turn on Father Christmas's knee and rattle along their substantial Christmas wish lists hoping to be surprised on Christmas morning. Preparing for Christmas in Africa is very exciting, traditionally in the townships, this is when all the neighbourhood kids get new clothes and go around the neighbourhood askin... More About: Style
Gold Reef City Heritage Tour - Zukiswa Pikoli
2007-10-10 13:54:00 Excited, poised and ready to learn about and experience the Gold Reef City Heritage tour we chattered excitedly as we made our way towards the beckoning gates which we glimpsed sporadically amongst even more excited School children being amused by a dancing man on stilts! Tickets in hand we finally walked through the entrance to begin the official tour. Ah yes, "Amusement Park" is what springs to mind when you think about Gold Reef City and that is exactly what it is. However, this was a slightly different Amusement Park tour, a tour with an educational twist that was also refreshingly entertaining in it's history lesson. Traditionally first up on the tour would be a movie of how Gold Reef City was founded and a history on mining in Johannesburg in 1886. It is narrated by a "prospector looking" Old Afrikaans man and a young African boy and his cellphone. The story has sparked the debate on who Johannesburg was actually named after all hinging on whether it was a Johan or a Johan... More About: Tour
Escape To Mount Kilimanjaro
2007-08-28 11:30:00 Click image to enlarge The equatorial sun blazed directly overhead, cutting shadows as sharp as concertina wire. Beyond the fence of the prison camp, the Kenya n Highlands shimmered in the mounting heat of the day. As Felice Benuzzi, a 32-year-old civil servant, trudged toward the camp's gate, other prisoners sat idly, gambling, smoking, eating lunch, and arguing politics-anything to pass time behind the fence. They tried not to notice Benuzzi as he walked by; perhaps if they didn't see him, neither would the guards....." - Bobby Model Read the full story on www.nationalgeographic.com More About: Kilimanjaro , Escape , Scape , Esca
Escape To Mount Kilimanjaro
2007-08-28 11:30:00 Click image to enlarge The equatorial sun blazed directly overhead, cutting shadows as sharp as concertina wire. Beyond the fence of the prison camp, the Kenya n Highlands shimmered in the mounting heat of the day. As Felice Benuzzi, a 32-year-old civil servant, trudged toward the camp's gate, other prisoners sat idly, gambling, smoking, eating lunch, and arguing politics-anything to pass time behind the fence. They tried not to notice Benuzzi as he walked by; perhaps if they didn't see him, neither would the guards....." - Bobby Model Read the full story on www.nationalgeographic.com More About: Kilimanjaro , Escape , Scape , Esca
August 2007 Featured Article: Victoria Falls 'Mosi-OA-Tunya' - Africa's Adv
2007-07-30 15:50:00 A is indeed for Adventure in Africa with the most daring and not so daring yet still adventurous activities for families, groups, couples and single travellers. Adventure junkies will love Victoria Falls as an Adventure destination of formidable amounts of Adrenalin pumping, endorphin releasing and heart pounding fun, thrills and spills. Victoria Falls offers “Action Junkies” a fix that will have them buzzing for months after Bungee jumping off Victoria Falls or White Water Rafting on the Zambezi River Rapids or Abseiling off a Batoka Gorge The best part about Victoria Falls is that there is twice the fun as it divides Zimbabwe and Zambia both offering equally entertaining and breathtaking enjoyment. Neither of the sides is by any means less hair raising or adventurous in its activity offering.. Click image to enlarge [More] More About: Article , Featured , August , August 2007
August 2007 Featured Article: Victoria Falls 'Mosi-OA-Tunya' - Africa's Adv
2007-07-30 15:50:00 A is indeed for Adventure in Africa with the most daring and not so daring yet still adventurous activities for families, groups, couples and single travellers. Adventure junkies will love Victoria Falls as an Adventure destination of formidable amounts of Adrenalin pumping, endorphin releasing and heart pounding fun, thrills and spills. Victoria Falls offers “Action Junkies” a fix that will have them buzzing for months after Bungee jumping off Victoria Falls or White Water Rafting on the Zambezi River Rapids or Abseiling off a Batoka Gorge The best part about Victoria Falls is that there is twice the fun as it divides Zimbabwe and Zambia both offering equally entertaining and breathtaking enjoyment. Neither of the sides is by any means less hair raising or adventurous in its activity offering.. Click image to enlarge [More] More About: Article , Featured , August , August 2007
July 2007 Featured Article: Africa Celebrates Women - Women's Day 9th Augu
2007-07-30 15:21:00 Journeys2Africa celebrates Women ’s month as the country and the world recognizes and acknowledge the role women have played in shaping our beautiful continent. The incandescent strength and grace that women bring to their children, husbands, friends, siblings and colleagues is celebrated in the month of August. Women’s Day in South Africa is celebrated on the 9th August and is a day spent reflecting and acknowledging the role women played in the liberation struggle in 1956 when thousands of Women stood in unison to protest the human degradation in South Africa under the Apartheid Laws. Women from all backgrounds took to the streets marching to the Union Buildings demanding that the then Prime Minister sign a petition titled "The Demand of the Women of South Africa for the Withdrawal of Passes for Women and the Repeal of the Pass Laws,". This was in direct defiance of the then pass laws that made it law that non- white South Afri... More About: Article , Featured , July 2007
July 2007 Featured Article: Africa Celebrates Women - Women's Day 9th Augu
2007-07-30 15:21:00 Journeys2Africa celebrates Women ’s month as the country and the world recognizes and acknowledge the role women have played in shaping our beautiful continent. The incandescent strength and grace that women bring to their children, husbands, friends, siblings and colleagues is celebrated in the month of August. Women’s Day in South Africa is celebrated on the 9th August and is a day spent reflecting and acknowledging the role women played in the liberation struggle in 1956 when thousands of Women stood in unison to protest the human degradation in South Africa under the Apartheid Laws. Women from all backgrounds took to the streets marching to the Union Buildings demanding that the then Prime Minister sign a petition titled "The Demand of the Women of South Africa for the Withdrawal of Passes for Women and the Repeal of the Pass Laws,". This was in direct defiance of the then pass laws that made it law that non- white South Afri... More About: Article , Featured , July 2007
The price of an African dowry - What is Lobola?
2007-07-30 14:33:00 Zukiswa Pikoli shares her experience of Lobola negotiations for a prized African bride. Lobola is a topic in South Africa that surfaces in everyone’s conversation across the colour and ethnic board. Lobola is the Xhosa word for dowry, paid for a bride as a sign of ubuhlobo (friendship) between the families and also serves as confirmation to the bride’s parents that the intended husband will be able to take care of his bride and subsequent family. Lobola is still an essential part of African life, and last weekend I was invited by best friend, Nontando (popular Xhosa name meaning love) to participate inher lobola negotiations. Traditionally African women do not join the men in the hard negotiating tactics, but being the supportive person that I am, steadfast moral support for the bride-to-be was my nominated role. So there I was getting ready and doing my best to look every bit the demure Xhosa girl that I was born to be, desperat... More About: Price
The price of an African dowry - What is Lobola?
2007-07-30 14:33:00 Zukiswa Pikoli shares her experience of Lobola negotiations for a prized African bride. Lobola is a topic in South Africa that surfaces in everyone’s conversation across the colour and ethnic board. Lobola is the Xhosa word for dowry, paid for a bride as a sign of ubuhlobo (friendship) between the families and also serves as confirmation to the bride’s parents that the intended husband will be able to take care of his bride and subsequent family. Lobola is still an essential part of African life, and last weekend I was invited by best friend, Nontando (popular Xhosa name meaning love) to participate inher lobola negotiations. Traditionally African women do not join the men in the hard negotiating tactics, but being the supportive person that I am, steadfast moral support for the bride-to-be was my nominated role. So there I was getting ready and doing my best to look every bit the demure Xhosa girl that I was born to be, desperat... More About: Price
February 2007 Featured Article - Weddings & Honeymoons in Africa
2007-07-30 14:24:00 Untitled Document Nguwo! Nguwo! Nguwo! This is the Xhosa wedding chant on the wedding day of the happy couple in South Africa . Traditional weddings in Africa are a festive affair that often span over a couple of days with the back and forth travel and merging of the families. African brides are amongst the most radiant with wedding regalia that is a dazzling combination of colour, traditional cloths and face paints that complement the attire. The traditional Xhosa dress is made from the beautiful thick cloth called isikhakha that is unique to the Xhosa people with bright red, blue and white beadwork as jewellery worked into the detail and a traditional head dress in the form of more cloth. [More] More About: Weddings , Article , February 2007 , Featured
February 2007 Featured Article - Weddings & Honeymoons in Africa
2007-07-30 14:24:00 Untitled Document Nguwo! Nguwo! Nguwo! This is the Xhosa wedding chant on the wedding day of the happy couple in South Africa . Traditional weddings in Africa are a festive affair that often span over a couple of days with the back and forth travel and merging of the families. African brides are amongst the most radiant with wedding regalia that is a dazzling combination of colour, traditional cloths and face paints that complement the attire. The traditional Xhosa dress is made from the beautiful thick cloth called isikhakha that is unique to the Xhosa people with bright red, blue and white beadwork as jewellery worked into the detail and a traditional head dress in the form of more cloth. [More] More About: Weddings , Article , February 2007 , Featured
Lerato's Soweto Half Day Tour
2007-07-25 11:41:00 Soweto Tour : Half Day Guide: Asielle This tour of Soweto was educational and exciting. I tried to be smart with heels ‘believe you me’ they killed me to the last degree. A hint when embarking on such tours, don’t be smart! just kidding but it’s true. [More] More About: Soweto
Lerato's Soweto Half Day Tour
2007-07-25 11:41:00 Soweto Tour : Half Day Guide: Asielle This tour of Soweto was educational and exciting. I tried to be smart with heels ‘believe you me’ they killed me to the last degree. A hint when embarking on such tours, don’t be smart! just kidding but it’s true. [More] More About: Soweto |
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