28 September 2018

From the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg to only 30 minutes away to Pretoria Centurion, it is a haven of peace and tranquility and pure relaxation, a place called African Pride Irene Country Lodge and Spa. From luxury room accommodation, to conference rooms, fine dining, wedding venues and a spa. We were given the red-carpet entrance and treatment from all the staff. The staff at the African Pride Irene country Lodge and Spa are very friendly. Our room was exactly how we expected it to be and more. On the same premises, within walking distance or you can use a shuttle service, you can enjoy the Animal farm and see the cows grazing. There are restaurants and a Farm Market so that you can get the freshest milk and local delicacies. Breakfast is well catered for and have they had the best English and continental breakfast that you can ask for. Meadow Green restaurant has exquisite cuisine, serving a buffet or ala carte menu. The Camdeboo Day Spa treatment is perfectly situated from the hotel and offers many different treatments, Saunas, a steam room and jet heated pool as well as a plunge pool to cool off. The rooms are elegantly designed with an African touch. They are very spacious and clean. Each room has a bar fridge, a Big flat screen TV, a kettle with tea and coffee facilities, rusks to nibble, complimentary bottles water and bathrobes. Irene Country Lodge is closely situated to the Irene Mall. For a weekend getaway this is a perfect retreat for a couple or family to enjoy. I will go back to African Pride Irene Country Lodge for another weekend getaway anytime.

03 August 2015

Zulu Nyala Country manor is more than a 5 star to me. Set on 5-hectare landscaped grounds in suburban Chartwell, this country manor has a very homely feeling to it, with luscious gardens and breath-taking décor! The best of both worlds. If you feel like getting away from the hustle and bustle and need a hide away, then Nyala Country Manor is the place to be. I enjoyed a weekend getaway with my family enjoying the luxury of the family room which was very spacious with its private balcony overlooking the pool area. The conference facilities/wedding venue and team building area is it main attraction. They cater for every need whether leisure or corporate functions. Free WIFI, beautiful dining areas, with stunning views, it is perfect for a wedding photographer where the scenery is beyond your imagination. The Wedding venue and decor is a very stylish and is fit for a princess. The Zulu Nyala Country Manor is highly recommended for conferences, wedding venue, team building or just a get away from everything. Thanks to Zulu Nyala Country Manor, our stay was revitalizing! Best Regards Fazlin

03 August 2015

The Heritage Safari Lodge was a perfect choice to start off our holiday, with tasteful accommodation and decor to highlight Zululand's unique cultural heritage. A pit stop between Maputo and Durban. The best road transport to these lodges is a 4x4. Our kids and myself really enjoyed the zebra's visiting us in front of our rooms. They were grazing and posing, keeping us company just before sunset safari. There is a hideout area close to the water hole. This was one of my highlights of the trip. This is created to make you feel as if you are right next to the animals when they are drinking water. The tunnel runs from the hotel into the open area where the animals stop to drink water. The only separation from the animals is small window openings with bars across without glass. A bird lover and photographers dream. The Zulu Safari Lodge was five star service. We shared a beautiful family suite absolutely perfect for a family of four. What a spectacular view from the dining area onto the safari area. I am sure given the opportunity and time we could see the big five. The facilities at both lodges are exceptional. The game drives and game walks are very professional accompanied by professional guides and a must for every visitor. The swimming pool area in both Lodges is huge situated in the sun perfect for tanning and also perfect for just enjoying the fresh air. The meals at both lodges catered for our dietary requirements. The short time we spent of these lodges was an experience never to forget. My husband and two boys are the biggest critics and they give a big thumps up for both lodges. Thank you Zulu Nyala Lodges for a fabulous stay!

03 August 2015

Breath-taking to say the least! Marupeng Hotel at the Cradle of Humankind is a fabulous way to show how all humans should be treated. The Marupeng hotel and staff all treated us like kings and queens. The boutique hotel is a five minute walk from Maropeng, and 10km (6 miles) from the Sterkfontein Caves. Enjoy a restful night’s sleep in one of the 10 king or 13 twin rooms, or fully equipped room for disabled persons. Marupeng Hotel is perfect for conferences, a getaway for the romantics or a family getaway to enjoy the true beauty of nature. The pool area and restaurant are perfectly situated with the best view ending in the most perfect sunset in the world. Our accommodation was superb, all catered to my family’s needs. The views outside our bedroom doors is priceless. This is where you get the best sunset in the west. Our getaway from Johannesburg was the best ever. This was not only relaxing but very educational. The visit to the cradle of humankind with it Marupeng exhibition centre with its path to humanity and the Sterkfontein caves, was all very educational, discovering the history on earth and its major extinctions. The cradle of humankind is the perfect school outing and excursion for all scholars young and old. The Marupeng Hotel has a 4 star rating, but to me it was 5 star with 6 star service. Thank you Marupeng Hotel for the best experience!

17 December 2008

What an experience...The Okavango Delta. We took a scheduled flight to Gaborone and from there a chartered flight to Moremi Game Reserve and the road transferred to the Xakanaxa camp. Big game, big birds, big water – Xakanaxa Camp is one of the pioneer safari camps in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Its prime location is on the banks of the Khwai River on the Xakanaxa Lagoon in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve. This ensures that it is one of the only safari camps which can provide guests with an authentic year round Okavango Delta land and water safari experience. Our accommodation was a luxury tented camp. Each tent is tastefully furnished with twin or double beds and en-suite facilities with a shower, hand basin and toilet. The camp operates on generator power, however at night all the lighting is supplied by gas and paraffin lanterns, giving the camp an authentic African ambience. The kitchen is renowned for its traditional safari touch. The meals are served around the main dining room table where tales of the day’s exciting experiences are recounted and discussed in great detail. They cater for guests wishing to dine in private. The emphasis is on discreet personal service. No need to worry about a bill at the end of your stay as all is included. Teas, coffees, mineral water and soft drinks are available to guests throughout the day at no additional cost. Our daily camp activities began with a light breakfast just before dawn which included: coffee, tea, fruit juices, cereals, muffins and fresh fruit and then we set off on extensive safari drives, boat or mokoro outings. Upon our return to camp which was about three or 4 hours later it was time for a full English breakfast. After lunch and other activities we are given a chance to freshen up for pre-dinner cocktails and snacks, dinner and coffee and liqueurs on the fire-deck. Xakanaxa is one of the few Botswana lodges that can offer all year round boating trips, as well as extensive 4x4 drives into outstanding game country. The Moremi Reserve is rated as one of Africa’s finest game-viewing areas, offering sanctuary to abundant herds of elephant, sable, giraffe, wildebeest, impala and waterbuck, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena’s. What an amazing experience. There is nothing better than the adventures into Africa!

19 December 2008

This was my first visit to China and by far the best experience. I departed Johannesburg on Singapore Airlines 24 July 2002 which happened to be my birthday. Well to my surprise on the flight the Air hostess surprised me with a Happy Birthday song and a big chocolate cake and candles. My trip couldn't have started off better. The flight was pleasant with T.V screens in front of each passenger. My first stop was Beijing, met by the tour operator and transferred to the 5 Star Prime Hotel. I would rate it a 4 Star plus compared to South Africas 5 Star hotels. This hotels location is situated on the main street close to all major shopping malls. This is where you also get the night life until the early hours of the morning and the food vendors with all kinds of delicacies...if you know what I mean. My advise is to learn a few basic phrases in Chinese because the locals does not speak a word of english and are not very friendly. Bicycles are the main mode of transport for the locals. China is a very clean country, the streets are wide and spacious.The people of China live in flats, you don't see any houses. Apparently nobody owns their own property, it is all government owned. Only a 30 minute drive from the Prime Hotel we were transferred in an air-conditioned luxury bus to the Temple Of Heaven.This is where the emperors would make their sermons, which is echoed beyond the walls.The building is structured in 3 tiers and the steps are in odd numbers. It is very important to have air-conditioned buses because in the summer temperatures are over 40 degrees. The Forbidden City, is where the Chinese Emperors resided and ruled the country since the 13th century. It is also called the Imperial Palace. No common mortals had access only the royalty. The history and architecture is very interesting.The tour was very organised and our tour leader was well informed about the history of China. You definitely need one full day for each tour, you cannot rush through them because there is so much to see and the tourists sights are always full of tourists. Some advise, try not to drink too much liquid on the days you go on tours, because their public toilets facilities is not for the faint hearted and most toilets are flat in the ground. The Great Wall Of China, was just what I expected and more! I took the challenge to climb the wall. We were in pairs and had to try to stay with the rest of the group. Some of the people in my group turned back after a few minutes of walking. I, on the other hand dragged myself to the bitter end, I didn't come all this way to give up. What an achievement, and to think that this Great Wall can be seen from outer space. Tiananmen Square - Gate of Peace, this is where the student movements took place and so many were killed. The Ming Tombs is where all the Moseleums (graves) were of the Ming Dynasty and is very sacred. The Imperial Summer place has a shimmering Kunming Lake. You can spend the whole day at the Imperial Summer place and enjoy a cruise across the lake. A must for dinning out, is the Peking Duck restaurant, everyone enjoyed their meal. I unfortunately only ate the veggies and crab sticks. I actually lost about 5kg on this trip! There is too much to absorb in a few days, so when you plan a trip to China make sure you have at least 7 days in Beijing. The locals in China are not very friendly, so don't expect a smile.

19 December 2008

Xian is an ancient capital for 11 Imperial Dynasties and the cradle of Chinese civilisation. I flew from Beijing to Xian on East China Airlines, a 1 and an a half hours flight to Xian. I stayed at a very comfortable 3 Star Garden Hotel. The rooms were basic but clean and I would highly recommended the hotel as the scenery is out of this world. It was a 45 minute drive from the airport to Xian. Our first evening we enjoyed a lovely Tang Dynasty Dinner show in the hotels Theatre. In the early morning we went on a tour visiting the walls that surrounded the city of Xian. Each of the 4 walls is 1km long making it a rectangular shape. Close to it is the youth Hostel for all foreigners. In the city you can hire bicycles and ride around visiting all the museums.You can even hire costumes and have your photo taken. The Terra Cotta Warriors was the awe of my trip, seeing the individually sculptured faces of the thousands of life sized Warriors.This army was buried with the first Emperor, horses and chariots for two millennia.They were accidently discovered by a farmer whilst digging a well in 1974. I had the privilege to have my photo taken with the famous man who discovered the Terra Cotta Worriers.There are still thousands of Terra Cotta Worriors that needs to be discovered. At the museum you can watch a history movie of the making of and reason behind the making the Terra Cotta Worriors. Our day ended with a trip to the Hot Springs, with beautiful scenery and landscapes. This is where the Emperors would go for their holiday and also entertain their Concubines. After a long day without stopping we went straight to dinner, a very pricy restaurant, we had our own room catered for the group and had a fondu dinner. We had to cook our own meal in front us. That was quite fun and I would recommend you try this. Off to the airport the next day for our flight to Shanghai. The largest city and the gateway through which modern life enters. It is a flourishing international metropolis, known worldwide for its highly developed industrial, commercial and financial components. Shanghai is an ideal "shopping paradise." And there are also over a thousand restaurants serving the famous 16 styles of Chinese food as well as many other foreign cuisines. I stayed at the Crown Plaza Hotel - an excellent 4 Star hotel in the middle of all the hussle and bussle. My first tour was Bund Street, this is a small little ancient China imposing buildings of the colonial period. Bicycles, cars and people all at once in the streets. Yu Yuan Gardens situated at the old quarters was my also my favourite visit, I actually had an opportunity to stand under a real life Bonsai Street. The Sky scrapers in Shanghai are amazing. For all you architectural fanatics this is the place to be. The TV Towers is the tallest building and it gives you a birds eye view of Shangai. Nanjing Road is famous for shopping and picking up good bargains. They are open till late which was the only time we had on our trip to shop, so you can imagine how I shopped till I dropped. If you are taking a taxi at night make sure you ask the Hotel Concierge to write down the name and address of your hotel and also where the taxi should take you. Locals do not understand a word of English. A must see is a world class Acrobatic Troupe show, amazing talent! Dinner was at the Pelican Restraurant, it is very smart and popular with the Business men of Shanghai. Taking the Bullet Train was an experience I'll never forget. We took the train from Shangai. With a speed of 431km per hour. I took a photo of the take off and the time and when we arrived. I had a unique experience which I will never forget.