Today

This idea of A-Z blogging may have been a bad one this month. I will try to ctach up the days but time is running away from me. Friday was Andrew's 40th birthday party, Saturday morning was my baby shower and the afternoon was spent at a spa with my future sister in law. Sunday I had Ewan at home all day by myself as the guys only got back from the bachelors in Joburg after 5. It was a lovely weekend but a long one. These last two days I have been battling to sit at my desk as the darling pregnancy pains get worse and worse. I will be changing to my laptop tomorrow and hopefully I can find a more comfy spot to write.

However todays blog is also about what happened in the world today. I don't want to concentrate on the bad and by now we all know the story. Lets rather talk about the good people who did not just stand by and watch things happen.

People actually ran towards the explosions to help those who had been injured.

This was a major international event so the first responders from the police and medics were already there so help was available in seconds.

The hundreds of runners who ran on to the nearest hospitals after just finishing a marathon to donate blood. So many arrived they had to turn some people away.

The people who within minutes of the event where offering free accomodation for runners and families of those injured.

The restaurants offering to feed people for free and even deliver food to the hospitals.



There will always be more good people in the world then evil. We just need to stand up and fight.

 

J is for Johannesburg

Hmm generally not my favourite city... no offense to all the wonderful readers who live there. It's just not a very pretty city and I honestly battle to give advice to visiting friends as to what they should see in Joburg.

I think it is lacking a focal beauty point such as a river or the ocean.There isn't a relaxing nature spot that makes everybody in the city proud.

So what can you expect on a visit to Joburg..

TRAFFIC- You will encounter traffic jams at any time of the day. Some roads are better then others but if you need to access a freeway chances are you will be stuck in traffic. You need to allow plenty of time to reach your destination. I learnt this the hard way when I nearly missed a flight to the US thanks to a two hour traffic jam on the way to the airport.

Noise- my new sister in law recently remarked on how noisy our cities are. When I stopped to think about it she is right. NYC doesn't even compare to downtown Joburg. Smile and understand that this is part of the chaos of Africa.

Great restaurants- it ain't Cape Town by any means but there are some fantastic spots to eat in Joburg. A few of my favourite are:

Kong Roast

Moyo at Melrose Arch

Saigon

Nice hotels:

City Lodge Fourways

Garden Court Sandton

The Square Montecasino

 

Joburg is not generally kid friendly. It is a fast paced city and to be honest most peoples visits here will be for work not play.

However Ewan has enjoyed Joburg the few times we have taken him there.

We try to hit an adventure golf course which he loves and then catch a movie. Montecasino is also a hit with a few kid friendly attractions such as the bird park.

If any of my Joburg friends have a few ideas of great kid friendly spots then please tell me about them and I will check them out on our next trip.

I is for Ixopo

"There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it." Alan Paton

I haven't ever spent a holiday in Ixopo but I have run cross country all over it's hills and for a few years driving through the village meant that I was almost home.

I spent 9 years of my life in a little town called Harding about 1 hour from Ixopo. I was five years old when we moved there and to me those green rolling hills still mean home. I can't get used to the brown northern interior and I doubt I ever will.

During the time I lived there our country was going through a great change. The area is the border between the Xhosa and the Zulu tribal lands. There was a lot of violence and bloodshed as the whole country struggled towards a new tomorrow. This area saw a large amount of that blood for such a small place. One year there where five people dead before breakfast on Christmas morning.

We had to drive past Ixopo on our way home from boarding school and for many years all the vehicles had to travel in convoy with an armed military presence. I had to travel with a child's ID book to be allowed to travel along that road. We passed through the border of the old Transkei. Everybody had to leave their cars and be stamped through.

I will have to try and explain to my son one day what a different world we lived in. The old border buildings still exist but are now market places.

The house we lived in was burnt to the ground and broken into a number of times. Luckily as a family we were never home when it happened. Once they did try to break in while we slept but couldn't get through the burglar bars.

I guess for all those reasons I have a love hate relationship with the area.

It is undeniably lovely. The area is forested or green rolling pasture. Old churches make fantastic spots to visit and it is now becoming a popular spot for Durbanites to head to for a break.

The Buddhist Retreat which does cater for all religions has been a popular place to get away from the world and listen to your inner voice for many years. I do still want to go on a yoga retreat there and maybe next year I will finally get my butt into gear and get there. It really looks so relaxing.

If you would just like to stay in the area for a weekend and explore then the best spot is the Kings Grant. Some of the buildings used to form a Catholic Mission and they really are magnificent. Great place to call home for the weekend. It is also really popular for country weddings.

A popular activity is the Paton Express a train that runs from Ixopo to Caribrook that was immortalised in Paton's book Cry the Beloved Country.

Oh and it is compulsory that you read the book to get a better understanding of the area before you arrive.





The area has a turbulent past but it has moved forward and now plays host to a lovely weekend retreat. I still hated running up and down all those hills though:)

H is for Howick and the Natal Midlands Part 1

The post for G should also have contained an apology for the late posting so here goes... I only got home at 6:30 from our trip to the Doctor in Ballito and I was shattered. I really did want to post but it just didn't happen. In future I will prepost for days like that.

So here goes H

We spent this past weekend in the Midlands and it was lovely and relaxing as always. I don't think I could live there but it really is a great spot to escape too.

This time I found a lovely spot to stay in that you just have to try. Sheltered Vale is about 6km away from the town of Rossetta on the Kamberg Road. Its just a few minutes drive to the main Midlans attractions but a wonderful peaceful spot to stay. The cottages are nicely spaced so that you feel you have the view all to yourself. Each cottage has two bedrooms, a nice bathroom, patio with a braai, fully equipped kitchen and a lounge with a fireplace and TV. All this for just R600 per night makes it the bargain of the Midlands. You have complete run of the farm to go for long walks. They have a few super friendly dogs that Ewan loved... don't worry the dogs are not allowed in the cottages( I hate staying at places with dog hair on the bed). There is a huge amount of space in the gardens for kids to run and just be kids. The manager Doug was friendly without being intrusive so we had a wonderful quite weekend without being disturbed.

We tried to have a really child friendly weekend for Ewan's sake as the Midlands is generally a place that Andrew and I visit as a couple. So here are our finds of the weekend.

The Junction- great food although the portions can be huge.. nice kids menu although it did lack any real breakfast items. The playground is surrounded by tables and it's huge. Children can have fun while the parents relax and enjoy their meal.  It gets very busy on Sunday mornings with bike runs from Durban. The shops in the complex are interesting and I had the great find of a dress for my brothers wedding that isn't a maternity dress:) The same complex hosts a candle dipping shop and an archery arena called Robin Hoods. RH is only open on weekends and it can be booked for parties. A kids meal gets you three free shots at Robin Hoods. Lovely idea for older kids.

Piggly- Wigglys: This is another shopping spot with a playground. The playground isn't as nice as the junction but there is a really sweet mini-golf course that charges R20 a player. Ewan really had a blast with that. We didn't try the wood fired pizza at the restaurant but apparently it is really good.

Swissland Cheese: A really nice spot for cheese tasting up in the forests. Ask for a cheese board and knives when you purchase your cheese then move to their lovely picnic spot for a relaxing afternoon. You can stay as long as you want and bring other food as long as you buy some of their cheese and don't want to braai. For R2 you can buy a small pack of goat food to hand feed the goats. This is a huge hit with kids and kept Ewan happy for about 20 min. He is still talking about it. Take a picnic blanket and enjoy the afternoon.

A spot for adults

The Wine Cellar- this spot is just North of Rossetta and stocks the most amazing wines. You can even find bottles from obscure little vineyards in the Cape. Another find is the Calitzdorp Port. This is the only spot outside of Calitzdorp that I have ever found this port. Spend a good hour searching through the bottles and you will be rewarded with some truly great finds.

Places to eat:

Our favourite spot is Caversham Mill. I have never had a bad meal here. The menu is fairly small but the specials board is huge. The restaurant overlooks a small waterfall. Lovely sight at lunch time and a wonderful background sound at night. The childrens menu is small but kids are very welcome here. It's also a great spot for a romantic evening out. Staff are very friendly and will go out of their way to help you. The duck spring rolls on the main menu are heavenly. This is also a great spot to stay.

Now I need to go put small people to bed so I will post a series of photos from the weekend plus a few other restaurants and places to stay in the morning. Just putting this up so I stay on track.

 

G- is for Golden Gate Highlands National Park

If you want spectacular scenery this is the place to go. It will take your breath away watching the sunset on the rocks of this small reserve.

After sunset head to nearby Clarens for dinner in one of the foodie centers of the country. It's so famous Brad Pitt even owns a house here(sorry I don't know which one). Otherwise light the braai and watch the night sky fill with stars.

It snows here almost every winter turning the landscape into a chilly white wonderland. Snow is a very unusual experience for us South Africans

There are a number of lovely hikes and 4x4 trails in the reserve. You have a really good chance of seeing jackal and eland. A highlight is the Vulture Restaurant for spotting bearded vultures.

If you arrive in the summer there is a lovely natural rock pool a short walk from the main camp which is perfect for a swim and a drink as the sunset changes the colour of the surrounding rocks.

One note is the weather here is epic. The thunderstorms last for hours and are very loud, particulary if you are in a small tent. The weather also changes very quickly from bright sunshine to a massive storm so be prepared.

Places to stay

A camp site will set you back R175 for two adults R62 per extra adult and R31 per extra child. Lovely shady campsite near a little stream. Nice open land for the kids to play and ride bikes.

A rondawel is R690 for two. Children are R93 extra. These are great for familes with older kids. The parents sleep downstairs and the kids can sleep in the loft upstairs. Just beware the ladder is very steep so this is not suitable for small children or adults who have  had a few too many beers in town.

A family log cabin for four at the remote Mountain Retreat will cost R1805. If you really want to get away from it all this is the spot for you. Great hiking and spectacular views.

Location

Golden Gate is between KZN and the Free State with the mountains of Lesotho as a backdrop. You are about a 45min drive from Bethlehem and about 4 hours from Johannesburg.

Some pics now

The vulture restaurant

The golden rocks from which the park gets its name

Snow!!

Highlands mountain retreat.

F is for Franschhoek

I am posting this a day in advance as tomorrow I will be in the Natal Midlands celebrating my husband's 40th birthday. I really can't wait.This and the next post will be short.. as I ahem still need to pack for everybody and we are leaving in two hours.

So Franschhoek was one of the suggestions for F. Well my experience of the area has mainly involved wine and food. I would say that is the experience of most people. It really is the perfect romantic getaway.

It is has some lovely historical buildings and is great for long evening strolls before or after dinner.

This is a list of family friendly places and activities to try in the area. If you want the romantic weekend just search on the internet:) Sorry time constraints.

Places to stay

Vrede en Lust- I am a huge fan of staying in the estates especially if you have kids. There will always be space to run around and they often have activities for kids.

Otherwise there are a number of apartments and cottages for rent in town. Check out Franschhoek for some ideas.

Activities

Picnics at one of the wine estates. Places that offer this include - Solms Delta and Ricketty Bridge. A great idea for romance or a day out with the kids.

Chocolate Tour of Hugenot Fine chocolates- always popular with kids and adults alike.

Hiking or cycling on the many nature trails in the area.

There are also a number of museums explaining the history of the area. Can be a bit boring for kids but a possible activity for a rainy day.

Places to eat

There are so many places to eat in the area that it would take me all day to go through them. Again I would recommend the wine estates. In my experience having space for a kid to run around can make all the difference to a meal.

Check out Child Friendly for some ideas.

 

E is for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

This is a different kind of travel post. I wanted to talk about my favourite parks that Ezemvelo runs and the ones that could do with some work.

Ezemvelo used to be known as the Natal Parks Board and a number of famous conservation leaders such as Ian Player worked for them. They ran a tough and very military style system. They got results. The work of NPB in the Hluhluwe game reserve brought the white and black rhino back from the edge of extinction. One day I will talk about the plight of rhinos in South Africa today but that is a sad story for another post.

Ezemvelo now faces many new tough fights as well as trying to save the rhino again. Poaching of animals for traditional healing is rife in some parks, they have to find funds to help local communities at a time when the government has pulled a large amount of funding and they have to provide for the new style of eco-tourist. People used to be happy with a piece of dirt on which to pitch their tent and a day spent swimming at the beach or driving around the park. Now there is big demand for eco-walks, 4x4 experiences and cultural experiences. This is all a good thing and will provide much needed funds. However the start infrastructure needs to be put in place and that in itself is causing many issues.

A section of the land owned by Ezemvelo was given over to a tribal authority known as Isimangaliso. In a first for SA Ezemvelo still manages the Wildlife side on a 90 year lease but the tribal authority runs the camps, the gates and general state of the park. It has worked to a degree and will certainly be a basis for land redistribution or land claims for other parks in this country.

 

Favourite Parks Top 3


1. Hluhluwe - Imfolozi: I love this park. Okay the main reason is that the side entrance to the park is just over an hours drive from my house. You can use a Wild Card or Rhino Card(currently being phased out but a new one should take it's place) and I highly recommend that you do. Entrance to HI was R85 per adult and R40 per child on our last visit. A family Wild Card is now R725  for all clusters for the year. This is currently one of the most expensive parks in the country. If you are going to stay over the Imfolozi side is much cheaper. A two bed safari tent starts at R770 per night. They are really very nice. NOTE: Ezemvelo charges per person generally there is no base rate as is found in SANPARKS.  A bush lodge in Hluhluwe starts at R4800 per night for two people but will cost around R550 more with each extra person. There is no camping in this reserve. Lunch at Hilltop looking out over the vally is a great experience.

2. Didma- I have a soft spot for this place as this is where Andrew and I tied the knot 7 years ago. Spectacular surroundings and buildings that really blend into the mountains. It really is a lovely wedding spot as proved by the numbers of couples that get married there. It's best to wait until a few weeks before you want to go with this resort as they will release rooms held for weddings two or three weeks before the date. There are some fantastic hikes in the area with incredible views of the Drakensberg. Rooms are R800 for two and there are family rooms available. Cathedral Peak Hotel is next door and you can feel smug about how much better your room and view are and that you are paying a lot less then the guests at the hotel. Camping is available.

3. Royal Natal - this place has the most incredible hiking in the Drakensberg. You can take a one hour gentle stroll to a serious multi-day hike all starting from this spot. The hotel was abandoned many years ago which is really sad. You can see the beauty of the buildings in the ruins. I still hope that one day they will bring it back to its former glories. Until then this is a reserve where you need to bring everything along. No restaurant and the gates close at 6pm in summer and earlier in winter. However this park has the number 1 campsite in the country according to Go magazine readers and I totally agree. Lush green grass, huge stands, lovely braai spots at each site, towering trees for shade, spotless ablutions and of course you are surrounded by the mountains. It really doesn't get any better. I just wish they had a pool in the camp but you can of course swim in the nearby streams if you can brave the cold.  Camping starts at R285 for two people. A bargain by Ezemvelo standards.

The not so great 3

1. Sodwana- hell on earth is this campsite in season. They always overbook it to try and make as much money as possible. Campsites are not allocated. You end up in tent city with a group of drunk people singing at the tops of their voices nearby and a major hike to the nearest crowded and dirty ablutions. Every school holiday is in season for this spot. Every public holiday is the same. Don't do it. I promise you will regret every minute. If you have to stay here take a few days off work and pull the kids from school. The queue just to get in the gate takes upwards of an hour. A large part of this is thanks to the park being run by Isimangaliso. Your card might get you in for free but every person in the car has to pay a R5 community levy per day. Sorting this out and filling in their very long forms takes ages in a normal day. The website no longer lists a price for camping so you would have to phone and enquire.

2. Cape Vidal- don't get me wrong I love the beach here and the camp sites are lovely( as long you ignore the monkeys trying to constantly steal your food and the hot water issues if the site is even vaguely full). Game drives will reward you with wonderful birding and sightings of rhino. However I can't look past the R420 starting cost for camping. If you want one of the bigger and nicer sites the prices start at R840 for two people....TO CAMP. I am sorry but that is just a rip off.

3. uMkhuze- I should probably go back to this reserve at some point and give it another try. My last visit was four years ago and I hated the place. The bush was empty. The animals we did see were very easily spooked ( a sign of possible hunting in the area). The chalets needed updating and cleaning. The guy staying in the chalet next to ours had been brought in to try and resolve staff issues in the reserve. They all really had a F^%& you type of attitude. Picnic tables in the reserve were broken and the whole place had an air of neglect.  Hopefully things have changed but I have read a number of articles about poaching in the reserve with the help of staff recently so I am not sure I want to go back. Two bed rest hut with communal ablutions start at R410.

Years ago I read a book that stated that people who work in conservation will never be rich but they will have experiences beyond the dreams of others. Sadly I think a number of people are trying to get as much money as possible out of our natural heritage now. They are no longer in the game for the love of the bush. Personally I think that is very sad.

Some pics:)

A stream near Didima

The chalets at Didima

Ewan chasing Guinea Fowl at Royal Natal. He was 8 months old and determine to catch one.

D is for Durban

Durban is a used to be city. As in it used to be much better then the reality of the moment. The Golden Mile was once the holiday destination of the East Coast. Nowdays most of the hotels are falling apart and the area is rife with crime.

I still have the memories of Durban when I was kid. People still shopped in the inner city, The Wheel was the place to be seen and Thirsty's on the Point  was an institution that everybody thought would last forever.

The likes of The Pavillion and Gateway mean that people avoid the inner city as far as possible. I had to go there three years ago for a US visa. It was an eye opener to be back after so many years. The Wheel is now the place to be mugged and it doesn't even have a wheel on the side of the building anymore. Thirsty's was torn down years ago so that the harbour could be widened. Point Rd is now Mahatma Gahndi Road although some things don't change. Point Road is still full of drug pushers and prostitutes despites the municipal efforts to clean up the area.

Durban is a sad place now. A friend from the US remarked that it looked like Detroit. Another city that has passed its golden heyday.

Still if you move away from the inner city there are still some good points.

Florida Road is filled with great restaurants and pubs.

Ushaka Marine World is a really nice place to take the kids for day out and it truly is an impressive aquarium.

Moyo on the Pier at Ushaka is a romantic spot for sundowner drinks.

9th Avenue Bistro in Morningside is one of the best restaurants in the country and continuely wins awards.

There are also a few great spots to stay.

I can highly recommend The Concierge Bungalows. Fun, quirky spot with great breakfasts. Ideal for a romantic weekend away.

If you are going with kids I would stay further North in Umhlangha or Ballito and just head into Durban for the day. The beaches up North are much better and the places to stay far more child friendly.

I still enjoy going to Durban but there are areas that break my heart now and I can't help it. This is the city I spent my childhood in and perhaps the saying that you can never go back rings true here. Sometimes it's better to hold onto memories then see the reality.

So on that depressing note:)

C is for Cape Town

The tourism capital of South Africa and with very good reason. CT is beautiful. A thousand postcard worthy views and always someting to do. I would love to live there but hubby dearest hates the wind so I make do with a nice long visit every couple of years.

My first visit to CT was in 1988. Wow it really has changed since then....mind you I have too:) Every trip is so different and each one filled with amazing memories. In 2003 my brother and I travelled down to Cape Town on a very small budget to spend the week with some friends of his. We stopped over for the night on the way down and the way back. I had to sleep curled up in the passenger seat as I wasn't allowed in the tent. That trip is why I bought a tent with my first salary check. The time in Cape Town was great fun. Driving around in a car that you had to hold the door closed when you went around corners and that had a block of wood as a handbrake. We went out drinking at beer and wine festivals and hit the vineyards a couple of times. On the third day we faced diving in the cold waters of the Cape. Never again. That put me off Scuba for a couple of years. The water was 11 degrees on the surface and dark and freezing at 18m. The rest of the trip was fantastic and the time that I really fell in love with the Cape.

Last year we travelled around the border of this country and spent a week in Cape Town. Seeing it through the excitement in Ewan's eyes made me fall for the Cape all over again. He was permanently bouncing. We stayed in an RCI flat in Seapoint. It was great to be a few blocks from the V&A waterfront and to be able to go for long walks along the boardwalk.Cape Town is great family destination, romantic spot and place to party. It really does have everything. Just a pity about the weather....

Places to Stay

I love Allandale Cottages. They are very central with a great play area for kids and nice roomy, budget friendly cottages. I also stay there for sentimental reasons. It's the place my parents always stayed in when I was a kid. Don't worry they have updated the cottages since then:)Their rates range from R440 for two people to R1265 for six.

Of course you could stay on the luxury end of the kid friendly spots although personally I would save this for a romantoc getaway. The One &Only Cape Town currently has a special running for South Africans at R1499.50 per person sharing per night. They do have a really fancy kids club and one of the most amazing views in Cape Town.

There are hundreds of options in between including some really nice campgrounds. Whatever your budget Cape Town will have a place to suit you.

Places to Eat

One of our favourite spots is The Brass Bell in Kalk Bay. It really doesn't look like much from the outside but inside the views are spectacular and the food is worth trying to find a parking spot. It really doesn't get much better then an ocean view with prawns and white wine.

You have to go for lunch at least once in your life at Snoekies in Hout Bay. The place is a South African institution. There is no ambiance or decor and the place is really rustic BUT the food is cheap and finger licking good. You will not get better down to earth fish and chips anywhere. Cover the chips in bright red tomato sauce and lashings of vinegar, then make a total pig of yourself.

There are of course hundreds of places to eat in Cape Town as it really is the foodie capital of South Africa. I was really amazed during our last trip how many places where very kid friendly. The very fancy Thai restaurant we went to at the V&A found a cushion to make Ewan comfortable at the table and brought him extra Dim Sum after he had polished off Andrew's.

Activities

Boulders Beach- to see one of the few land accessible penguin colonies in the world. Yes it is crowded with hundreds of tourists now but the spot is still special. Plus the walkway itself is free and you will see lots of penguins far away from the tourist buses. When you get to the main centre go right along the path instead of going through the pay area to the main beach.

The Ferris wheel at the V&A waterfront. Yes it is pricey but the views are spectacular.The wheel is R80 for adults, R40 for kids 4- 11 and free under 4. It really is great for kids. Ewan loved it. Next time I want to see the views at night.

Cable Car- we skipped this on our last trip as Andrew and I have both been a couple of times and it really is very expensieve. I will take Ewan on our next trip when he will remember it. Buy your tickets online here for a significant saving plus you don't have to queue. Adults R185 return, Children under 18 R90 return and under 4's are free. The new cable car really is amazing with it's 360 degree views.

SAS Assegai - this was the highlight of Ewan's trip and he still talks about it a year later. At R40 per adult and R20 per child it also one of the best value trips you can do in Cape Town. The submarine was saved from being turned into scrap by a recently retired admiral of the fleet. Your visit really does help save this wonderful part of our history. Our tour was about an hour long and very interesting. The admiral is a personal friend of mine but even if that wasn't the case I would still feel strongly about saving our past. Please support them:)

Seal trips from Hout Bay- if the weather is looking good then a seal trip can be a wonderful experience but check the weather carefully. The seas around Cape Point are very rough and you can truly seasick and have a miserable trip.

The Winelands- I will talk more about this on my Western Cape post but you really need to spend a day or two seeing all the vineyards around Cape Town. Some of them like Fairview and Spier are really kid friendly. A picnic at Spier makes a wonderful day out. The goats at Fairview provide hours of entertainment for kids while the adults enjoy the wine and cheese.

Of course I have missed out many places so I think there may be  a Cape Town 2.0 post at some point. There are just so many things to do and places to see that one week is never enough.

Postcard perfect

The Brass Bell

Ewan and Andrew at Boulders Beach

SAS Assegai - climbing down the ladder, a highlight for Ewan

 

 

B is for Ballito

Ballito is a small holiday town about 40 min North of Durban. To be honest being a good Southern Natal girl I had never heard of the place growing up. At the age of 15 I moved with my family to Northern Natal. It was a bit of a shock to discover that life existed beyond the rolling hills of the Natal Midlands. On a coastal holiday with friends a few years later I discovered Ballito. Ever since then I have been finding every possible excuse to be there. I really do mean every excuse. I spent a month there four years ago awaiting the birth of my son and in a few weeks I will be back waiting for our daughter to make her arrival.

Yes the place has it's problems. A taxi rank in the centre of town that was recently the scene of a violent shooting incident and yes I have been fast asleep when some $%$^%$&% criminals broke in and stole my laptop.

I still love the place. Crime for the most part is a lot less violent then in the rest of this country. It still has the air of a sleepy holiday town while being close to the action of Umhlanga and Durban. There are a number of great places to stay and eat. Best part of all though has to be the wooden boardwalk running next to the ocean. I love going for walks and feeling the sea breeze while looking at the amazing views.

As a family holiday spot it really takes some beating. You can hire a two bedroom flat for around R500 per night to a luxury house at around R2800 per night. So it really is cheap. I know some camping spots that cost more then R500 per night..I am giving you the evil eye Cape Vidal. The flats all have kitchens and most have braais for self-catering if you would like a really budget friendly holiday.

In general the weather is sunny and much warmer then it is for all of us living up country.The beaches are beautiful. The main beach has a life guard and you can always find a sheltered rock pool for little ones to play in.

So to the nitty gritty.

Places to stay:

I have booked with Ocean and Earth for the last three years. Kim is very helpful and friendly. The places are of a high standard and they cater to every budget. Our favourite spot is anywhere at Ballito Manor. Amazing seaviews, high security, undercover parking, direct beach access, a lovely pool and across the road from Ballito's best restaurant. A three bedroom flat is around R1200 per night out of season. They really are very luxurious and most importantly every room is air conditioned. I can also recommend Pebble Beach( lovely flat but difficult beach access).

You can also book through Ballito Accomodation although I do find their prices a bit higher and Cyberview. Cyberview only take week long bookings and the flats are on the cheaper scale. We were staying in one of their flats when we got broken into. The Grange has terrible security and Cyberview were not at all helpful through the whole fiasco. If you want to take your chances though I will not judge you.

There are also a number of hotels and B&B's in Ballito but they do tend to be further back from the beach and not nearly such great value for money.

Places to eat

My favourite spot is Mozambik. This is the orginal Mozambik. The food is fantastic. The venue has a great laid back beach vibe and it really is very child friendly without annoying adults there for a drink. My son loves the kids prawns and will happily demolish the plate every time we go there. If you are brave you can try the man size beer. At 1.5lts it really is a huge amount of beer. I have two of the glasses in my cupboard after a big donation to their malaria campaign and way too many drinks. The owner is super friendly and they will go out of their way to make sure you have a great night. If you are lucky you may see the great Kingsley Holgate. This is his favourite local drinking spot. The large dhow on the roof parking is from one of his great adventures.

Other spots to try:

Waterberry Tea Garden- great kids play area and lovely forest walk. The best milkshakes in SA. Don't go here on diet everything they do is full cream and very yummy.

Al Pescatore - nice spot for an adults night out. The bar downstairs can get noisy but the ocean views are amazing. Very yummy and diverse menu.

At the Lifestyle center you will find the standard offering of John Dory's, Mugg and Bean, Spur, Primi Plantation and Wimpy.

So you really don't have to cook if you want a relaxing weekend away.

Activities

BEACH!!!! Well that is pretty much what you are there for...

If you get bored of the beach or if it rains.

You can try Flag Animal Farm which is a great little petting zoo/farm just outside Salt Rock so about 10 min from Ballito.

Gateway shopping complex is about 25min drive South towards Durban.

There are also a number of golf courses in the area.

Here are a few pics to get you excited.

The boardwalk

Just makes you want to be there

The second floor of Mozambik with Kingsley's Dhow

Ewan and Andrew watching the sea at Ballito

Ewan playing in a large rock pool.

 

A is for Addo

My first trip to Addo was not a great one. I was 20 years old and living in Port Elizabeth. Andrew and I were doing the long distance dating thing. So one weekend he flew down to PE and we decided on the Saturday to go and explore Addo.

We went in my little student car named Squishy( Long explanation but think of Finding Nemo and Bad Squishy). Squishy was a 1996 Mazda Midge that had been driven by a boy racer in a previous life. It made a great noise wherever it went.

At this stage in my life I was studying Quantity Surveying and I was more interested in paving Africa then saving Africa. I couldn't tell an impala from a kudu.

Nevermind we would still have fun..... ahem. After 8 hours of driving around Addo we still had not seen a thing. I decided I hated game parks and we went home.

Fast forward a number of years and I was now working in conservation and had spent many happy weeks in parks all over the country.

So it was finally time to return to Addo.

In a Toyota Hilux so we could actually see the animals and although it is a diesel it hasn't yet scared away any animals.

Addo is amazing and I really mean it. I have now returned to Addo many times and I have yet to have another dissapointing visit. So I will just blame that first one on my car and general lack of knowledge.

So onto the nitty gritty of visiting Addo

Places to stay

Budget:

Camping is the best budget option at Addo. I have stayed in their campsite twice and it really is very nice. Clean ablutions and level campsites with small thorn hedges dividing the camp to give you some privacy.

The best tip I can give you is to book a caravan site a the tent sites are very, very small.

COST: R190 for two adults then R62 per extra adult and R32 per child. Campsites sleep up to six people.

Middle of the Road:

Family Chalet at the main camp. The cost is for four people and they are fairly well equipped for for people.

Cost: R1280

Luxury:

Sanparks does not really have luxury accomodation but Addo does have a number of Concessions operating inside the park to cater for the luxury market. Riverbend Lodge is the most family friendly as they allow children of all ages. I personally have never experienced as I am not that wealthy but I have heard great things so please go and check them out.

Cost: R2800 per adult per night and R1600 per child between 3- 11. Kids under 3 are free. Includes all meals, entrance fees and game drives. Children are welcome on game drives and families are often allocated their own vehicle. That is a huge bonus if you have small children. Riverbend Lodge

Activities

Game Drives

You can take your own vehicle through most of the park from sunrise to sunset. You can see hundreds of elephants as well as lion, buffalo, black rhino, hyenas, jackal, kudu and eland. Numerous other species occur here as well as some truly fantastic birding.

Hiking

The Alexandria Trail is 32km two day circular trail that currently costs R120 per person.

Location



Addo is situtated in the Eastern Cape about 1 hours drive from Port Elizabeth.

Should you go?

Yes!!! If you want to see elephants in giant herds like this:



Or for magical moments of standing on a hill looking down on an elephant that is close you can smell its breath:



So go on and spend some time in one of our most incredible parks.

Go to Addo Elephant to book.