29 May 2012

When you think of Mauritius, you get the idea of Long White Sandy beaches, Palm Trees, Cocktails on the beach – believe me that this is what it is! I had the opportunity to stay at the Luxurious SHANDRANI HOTEL. It is a very impressive 5 Star property and they are keeping it from the beginning to end. The SHANDRANI HOTEL is situated on the South Coast of Mauritius and is only a 10 minute drive from the Airport. It is situated in Lush Tropical Grounds - boarded by three separate beaches. When you enter the reception Lobby of the hotel - you are looking straight onto the ocean - with 2 large swimming pool areas. The hotel has got 327 rooms made up of Superior rooms, deluxe rooms and family apartments and they cater for everyone’s needs. Guests have a choice of 5 restaurants, a Wellness Centre, Gym, they offer water-sports like water-skiing, glass bottom boats, snorkelling and many others to choose from. The Shandrani Hotel is a full inclusive resort - and believe me the restaurant and food is outstanding. I also had the pleasure in visiting the LONG BEACH hotel on the Eastern Side of the Island. This hotel is about an hour from the Airport – and we drove along the beach side of the island. This Hotel is a different Style of hotel and the South African architect has done a wonderful job on this Property. The hotel is vibrant, chick and playful, the embodiment of fresh, relaxed and carefree beach living. This hotel opened in December 2010. And is guaranteed 5 star luxury. LONG Beach is known for the longest, widest stretch of white sandy coastline - hence the name LONG BEACH.This hotel is unusual and stylish and has something for everyone. It has 255 rooms every room has a magnificent Sea View, 4 restaurants, Spa, Kids Corner etc. The People in Mauritius are very helpful and friendly and they are just waiting to make your Dream Holiday come true. Mauritius is an all year round destination and an absolute Dream Destination. I hope to book you on your trip to Mauritius. Regards Rina.

11 December 2008

Ek was bevoorreg om een van die mooiste plekke te besoek - Marbella in die Costa del Sol. Marbelle is geleë in die Streek Andalucia. Die naaste lughawe is natuurlik Malaga. Marbella is ongeveer 40 min per pad vanaf die lughawe - tydens hierdie rit kan jy die wonderlike kus streek geniet - die berge - en die see. Die Costa del Sol is ongeveer 200 km lank - langs die kus. Die klimaat is lekker warm - die wintermaande is nie wat ons sal ken as koud nie - ongeveer 20 tot 21 grade Celcius. Die "Old Town" in Marbella is 'n baie gewilde inkopie paradys - daar kry jy die beste pryse vir leer produkte, skoene, klerasie en tot die mooiste aandenkings. Wat my baie beïndruk het in Marbella is dat die motorhawens "self sorg " is - m.a.w - jy gooi self die brandstof in die voertuig en gaan betaal dan direk by die kassiere. Die hotelle in Marbella is van die beste in die wereld, 'n regte speelplek vir die rykes. Met Seiljagte, Ferrari's ens. Op die promenade is daar honderde klein restaurante en eetplekke waar jy sommer net bietjie kan sit en asem skep en die see en sonlig kan geniet. Die restaurante is nogal ietwat duur, maar jy kan wel van die supermarkte gebruik. Net die beste vrugte is daar beskikbaar. Malaga is selfs een van die mees indrukwekkendste plekke. Dit is 'n baie besige stad, met die Picaso Museum (kunsgalery) en die kasteel. Vanaf bo van die berg het jy die geleentheid om oor Malaga te kyk - die hawe, stad en berge. In Spanje - kan die taal wel 'n probleem skep aangesien almal daar engels magtig is nie - maar met die nodige sak woordeboek kan jy jouself help. Die mense is ook baie vriendelik en behulpsaam. Ek sal hierdie bestemming aanbeveel vir 'n wondelike en onvergeetlike vakansie!!!

29 July 2008

Bangkok - What a shopping experience! This really is shop till you drop!!! Markets, malls and shops were everywhere. Whilst here I stayed at the Indra Regent Hotel - a good choice 3 star for the budget traveller - easy accessible to the Bayoke sky, and Pratunum market was just across the street. The Toek-Toeks are actually the best way to get around the busy city life and certainly something to experience - Driving through the busy traffic on the back of those Toek-Toeks was incredible!. You can bargain with the price and they are the best way to get from point A to B. We found that we had about 3 - 4 stops between our destination however - the reason being - If they bring tourists to visit a jewellery shop or a local retail outlet they receive petrol vouchers worth around 10 Bhat. In the east you still get value for you money and as well as the fabulous shopping, Bangkok is also very popular for its nighttime activity - it really comes to life with the Patpong markets. We found this is really something to experience. If possible take a few minutes and watch the sellers at the foodstalls along the streets. Here we sampled fried Scorpions, locusts and cockroaches. Thanks to shopping malls however we were still able to get hamburgers, chips and Kentucky Fried Chicken!! Bangkok was an experience like no other and I enjoyed every moment of it. I came home with several bargains but also memories to last a lifetime.

26 July 2008

What a wonderful opportunity to see the best of both worlds - Just a quick breakaway from the busy city life. South African nationals however do need a passport to enter Lesotho. We stayed at a Guesthouse "Green Acorn" in Ficksburg - and entered Lesotho at the Ficksburg border. The small towns are very primitive - but as soon as you go into the countryside - what a sight - mountains, valleys, rivers, streams, this is really something to see, and forget about everything. Simply relax enjoying the natural surroundings. When we entered Lesotho we got the impression that they are way behind - as if life had come to a standstill. The higher you go onto the mountains, the less civilised it became. We came across this small hut - ( with its DSTV dish) and a brand new BMW in front of the hut!! It made us wonder how these people live, as they are miles and miles from the nearest town. The highest peak we have been to was 2,840 km above sea level. Whilst here we found a young boy looking after his sheep - he only had his dog with him and a blanket around his shoulders with his Rubberboots on. This was what he wore even in the coldest climates. Another highlight of this area is the Avri Ski Resort. About 100 km from the Ficksburg border it takes you 2 hours to get there because of the mountain passes and steep roads. The ski resort makes you feel like you are in the Alpes with a variety of long slopes. Pack yourself a picnic basket when planning to visit the ski - slopes - as the coffee, tea and sandwiches are very expensive. We found that it was relatively easy to hire the ski- equipment at this resort or alternatively you can bring your own. For those who don't wish to ski there is plenty of opportunity to just play around in the snow and enjoy yourself. Something else that is a must to see is the Katze Dam in Lesotho - but I enjoyed myself too much in the snow and ran out of time so I will keep this for my second trip in September / October when the snow has melted.