23 February 2021

Just outside the quaint town of Swellendam and at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, lies the Bontebok National Park. The smallest of the 18 National Parks in South Africa, this little slice of serenity is the perfect escape from city life for either a day visit or an overnight stay. Having visited most of the SANPARKS in Kwazulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, I was curious to get a sense of this Cape park. It is home to the once-threatened Bontebok and boasts several antelope such as Red Hartebeest, Cape Grysbok and the ever-elusive Grey Rhebuck. The open plains and gentle rolling hills provide the perfect terrain for game viewing, and there are several loops around the park for self-drives. Outdoor enthusiasts will delight in the many activities on offer – from fishing or swimming in the Breede River, to canoeing (with your own equipment), mountain biking and hiking. The three hiking trails vary in distance but are easily navigated from the start of the rest camp. We did the 3.3km Aloe Hill Trail, which is a gentle walk along the Breede River and passes a viewpoint with the most spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Overnight accommodation is available in the Lang Elsie’s Kraal Rest Camp, where you can opt for one of 14 fully equipped self-catering chalets with all the modern amenities, or a campsite for a more rustic stay. We stayed in a chalet with unparalleled views of the river and enjoyed a long leisurely afternoon on a picnic blanket with a book. The resident tortoises are the cutest addition to the camp and kept us entertained! We woke up in the morning to the sounds of a lone bontebok chomping grass outside our chalet. It was the most relaxed I’ve felt in years and reinforced my love of being in the bush. Whether you’re looking for a day of enjoying the outdoors, or an overnight bush escape, I cannot recommend this park enough!

28 August 2020

I've always been one to enjoy places off the beaten track and Darling is a destination that is still quite undiscovered. A small, rural farming village in the Cape West Coast, this little gem has everything you need for a quick getaway from Cape Town city life or for a stopover en route to the West Coast. Pieter Dirk-Uys, the famous South African satirist, calls this town home and performs his Evita Bezuidenhout shows from a cabaret venue and restaurant in Darling. How to get there: Take a leisurely 90 minute drive from Cape Town along the R27, the West Coast Highway. The highway is flanked by the West Coast National Park and quaint seaside villages. At this time of year, you will see bursts of colour as the wildflowers are in bloom. We stopped at the West Coast Farmstall in Yzerfontein for a hearty breakfast. A popular pitstop for holidaymakers and locals alike, this farmstall boasts local trinkets as well as delicious food and wine for purchase. What to do: While other wine routes in the Cape region are more popular and commercial, I love the understated simplicity of the Darling Wine Route. Take a turn off the R27 onto a dirt road that takes you through fields of gorgeous arum lilies and daisies before arriving at Groote Post Winery. This winery is particularly well known for their exceptional white wines due to the cool climate and proximity to the sea. We enjoyed a cozy wine tasting in the stately homestead and learnt about the history of the dairy farmers who started the wine farm. Visitors in summer months can enjoy wine and cheese pairings on the verandah with spectacular views! Darling Cellars is another must to visit and a brand that is popular with the South African wine drinking population. Situated 15 minutes from Darling, they offer 8 wine tastings for R20 and with the wide variety of wines under this label, you will be spoilt for choice. My personal favourite winery is Ormonde and with their portfolio of award-winning wines and delicious sharing platters, you cannot go wrong. With a central location in Darling, many locals visit on the weekends and enjoy their platters and wine tasting, while the kids frolic in the gardens and play on the jungle gyms. For those with a sweet tooth, the Darling Sweet Shop is a must. The old fashioned toffees are produced onsite in the factory and include an assortment of flavours to indulge in, from mocha java to ginger and cardamom, or salted caramels. We bought a few as souvenirs to take home! Where to stay: Daisy Darling is a charming, 3-bedroomed bed and breakfast situated on the quiet end of Main Road. Dave and Fran are exceptional hosts and welcome you into their home as if it were your own. They even have an "Evita's Sweet Suite" for those who would like an immersive cultural experience! Enjoy a glass of port or local wine snuggled up in front of the fire on a cold winter's night or take a dip in the splash pool on hot summer afternoons. Their central location also provides a perfect base from which to explore the area. I am looking forward to my next trip in the summer which will include a visit to the Darling Brewery and Darling Olives - stay tuned!

18 June 2020

Tokyo – the name alone conjures up images of a high-speed metropolis bursting with activity. I was lucky enough to travel to Tokyo in November 2019 to experience the Bokke take on the English at the Rugby World Cup Final. Flight to Tokyo: We flew on Singapore Airlines via Singapore. Great to fly direct for 11 hours to Singapore, followed by a short layover, and then a 7-hour leg to Tokyo. The vibe in the plane was electric with loads of South African supporters singing ‘Shosholoza’ throughout the flight…earplugs were needed for some of the passengers hoping to catch some shut eye. We received an immigration form to complete while on board and once at Haneda Airport, the immigration lines were long but moved quickly. Japan runs on efficiency, so the immigration process and baggage collection was seamless. We pre-booked a transfer to our hotel which is highly recommended. Taxis in Tokyo are extremely expensive (approximately R5,000 one-way from Haneda Airport to central Tokyo districts) and the language barrier can be a problem at times. Hotel: We stayed at Visto Premio, a 4-star business hotel based in the Akasaka area. As with most traditional Japanese hotels, the rooms are small but functional. Akasaka is a great place to stay in, loads of restaurants and bars are all within walking distance. Try the local ramen or tempura rice bowls, ranging from around 600-1200 Yen (around R100 – R200 per dish). Western food is also readily available but expect to pay a lot more. Highballs, a blended whiskey with ginger or cola are very popular drinks in Tokyo and cost roughly around 600 Yen (R100 per single). Where to go: A quick subway trip from Akasaka takes you to the famous Shibuya Crossing, considered to be the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world! An average of 2500 pedestrians cross at a time, coming from all directions at once. Certainly, a sight to see! Asakusa takes you back to a bygone era, where you can explore the various temples and wander amongst the traditional street food and craft stalls. For the shoppers, Shinjuku and Ginza offer unique shopping experiences with an eclectic mix of souvenir shops and department stores. People and culture: The Japanese are the most gracious and unassuming nation that I have ever encountered. They graciously welcomed nations from all over the world for the Rugby World Cup and celebrated in our victory with us. Tokyo is a city that is vibrant, colourful and constantly abuzz with activity. I cannot wait to return!