Kasane: Safari Wonderland

All roads lead to another country

 

Flight SA 8823 to Kasane is now boarding…  What started off as a wish on my bucket list a few years ago finally became a dream come true. I have always wanted to travel with my mother, as we sat chatting away it dawned on me how privileged I was to have this moment.  The weeks prior to the trip I merely told her that we were going somewhere.  Part of the mystery was the destination,  with over 35 destinations to choose from which would be the best spot to take a wildlife enthusiast for a long weekend away?

We grew up watching wildlife shows with my mother, every Sunday was Wildlife Sunday from deep sea diving to the Kruger National Park.  She soaked in every moment and wished aloud to one day witness all these furry-scaly creatures in their habitat.  

 

Finally she finds out where she is going!

After a bit of research I settled on taking my mother to Kasane in Botswana, a wildlife wonderland that is the Gateway to the Chobe National Park.  Kasane is unique as it is based at the “four corners” junction a spot where 4 countries meet; Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. 

We stayed at Mowana- Safari Resort and Spa which is situated right on the banks of the Chobe Riverfront.  I was looking for convenience and comfort with only a few days to take in everything,  I didn’t want to be bothered with driving or having to play guide. We breezed through customs fighting the sweltering heat that greeted us upon our arrival.   We found solace in the air-conditioned transfer that would get us to Mowana.  I was pleasantly surprised at how accommodating our guide was, he shared some history about Kasane, answered my 120 questions about Botswana and happily took pictures of my mother and I to mark our first time in Kasane.

Cruising along

 

We arrived just in time to check-in, drop-off our bags and head out on the Chobe River Cruise.  This was absolutely breath-taking.  I think trying to explain the beauty of this place will require me channelling Jane Austen.

The blessings in life are found in these moments of splendour

 

It’s really nothing that can be put into words but something certainly worth experiencing.   Our Captain Chris who is really knowledgeable shared some insightful facts about the River, both my mother and I were like kids in an amusement park.

Hello Namibia!

After 3 hours of sunset-wildlife-bliss we docked in time to refresh and get ready for dinner.  A full buffet with game such as Kudu on offer, it was definitely a feast fit for a Queen. Stuffed and eager for an early morning game drive we retreated to our room.  I loved how inviting and bug proof it was; I’m not a fan of mosquitoes, after all my idea of a good time is not waking up the next day looking like Noddy.

Ellies!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The drive was my mother’s first ever game drive and what a sight it was.  Kasane is well known for the 84 000 yes! 84 000 elephants that roam through the park. Even though the wild requires you to come empty open to possibility, without a list of expectations, I secretly hoped we would catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures.  Our luck paid out as we came across a herd of Ellies. We were so excited at how close we were,  that we just snapped away in ecstasy.

Turns out I got my chattiness from my mum,
whilst she was making friends I was observing elements of myself

 

After that drive our day was made and we had no intentions but to spend the rest of our days between the spa and infinity pool, lazing about soaking in the sun with the coolest mom in the world. Did I choose the right place?  I certainly did for Botswana is rich in wildlife and it’s clearly respected by the people considering how many bush pigs roam the streets freely and at peace.       

Travelling Abroad? - Why you need Travel Insurance

Rubbing my hand across my chest in search of my handbag strap, I found nothing.  I had been sitting in the back absorbed with editing the pictures I had taken at Central park.  I searched underneath the seat…nothing…I ran my hands all over my body …nothing.  Then all hell broke loose as I cried out “Emma I left my handbag in central park”   it dawned on me, that as I stood there I was passportless, ID-less and Pennyless in New York City. 


My hands reached for my head, clutching my hair.   I looked at Emma with the eyes of a crazed goat seeing its imminent death.  As she said calm down, I felt panic arising within me as I realised if my bag was no longer there,  I would not be able to return home the next day. I would have to call family, my place of employment and let them know I had lost my bag taking a selfie in Central park.  Jizaz!! I sat down on the pavement  as it all became too much for me to fathom…"what if it’s gone?"  I whispered…it’s been 2 hours since we were there…How could I have been so stupid?  As the blame game played itself up in my head the one voice delivered the punch line …”I Told you, you should have taken that travel insurance but hey its going to be a short trip...NOT”  I howled  “Emma I’m screwed! I’m going to lose my ticket and I can’t even say my bag was stolen because I left it at the park…  O’Lawd!!!”  Whilst I totally lost my mind, Emma called a friend who had been in the area and asked if he would go in search of my handbag.

Every part of me screamed believe in the impossible, anything is possible your bag could still be there.  Whilst Emma calmly handled the situation I stood up, trying to figure out my next move.  I didn’t know where I was so I could not even attempt to run to the park to help our friend search for the bag as I stood there helpless as can be I thought “Lawd knows,  I need a drink for this level of stupidity"  and then cried out loud  "but I don't have money to even buy a drink because I don't have a handbag."

When Emma had picked me up I insisted that we had to go to Central Park, I wanted to see it for myself.  Braving the icy chill that was whipping the streets Emma obliged driving us to the park. I sat in the back of the car snapping away at things that caught my eye.  


When we arrived at the park I wanted to have just one pic of myself in the park as a momento.  I took off my handbag that had been slung across my chest because it did not look good in the picture.  I hung it on a pole instead of handing it over to Emma whilst she took the picture.

3 hours later I received the most amazing SMS a picture of my bag hanging on the pole with everything still inside.  I felt like ululating and doing cartwheels at the same time! I was saved a whole lot of grief, money and inconvenience.

 

Had I not found my bag this is how this story would have played out:

Firstly I would have cried like a baby,  then I would have had to go through the motions of sorting out a complex problem in a foreign country.  My flight was in the morning so the first thing would have been to call and find out what is the latest time I can call to change my flight date.  Secondly I would have to find out from the Embassy what time they open and how long it would take for them to issue me with emergency travel certificate:

1.       Calling the airline to negotiate and  plead my case knowing very well that the only thing I could do is change the date of the ticket and that would have set me back close to $200

2.       Calling Family & Place of Employment to explain my situation.

3.       Calling the South African Embassy to apply for a new passport: http://www.southafrica-newyork.net/consulate/  cost to self just over $120  

4.       Having to live with the embarrassment of being one of those  people who have lost their appendages, lives and travel documents taking selfies. http://www.cnet.com/news/couple-dies-after-trying-to-take-selfie-on-cliff/

5.       Joining the list of people who risk travelling without insurance and end up spending thousands on sorting out their situation. If you are going abroad it’s a totally different ball game to being at home.  Always opt for the insurance here are some reasons why you should Insure when you travel. http://www.ehow.com/facts_4899235_why-travel-insurance-important.html

New York, New Yawk

The  Manhattan Skyline is as familiar to me as the Johannesburg Skyline thanks to the copious amounts of Sex in the City episodes consumed in varsity with my Pers-american friend. In fact, I can tell you what a long island accent sounds like and its not pronounced New York my darling its New Yawk.  

Whilst I could tell you more about New York than the average American can tell you about South Africa,  visiting America ranked low on my list of places to visit in the world.  Why would anyone want to go to a country where some people are so clueless that they tweeted pictures of Morgan Freeman with the Hastag #RIPMandela... at least get the picture right.

It was only when I was awarded the humbling task of walking my childhood friend Marcia Wells down the aisle that it dawned on me that I was about to see New York before seeing Turkey, Fiji or Bali,  ranked as one of my Top 10 destinations to experience before I hit the bucket.

I arrived in New Yawk and the immigration officer questioned if I was African 3 times, with Ebola keeping most Americans' in Hysterics I thought perhaps he was checking so he could "save his people" but it seems he just thought I looked more... American than African. Well, good for me because when I was in South East Asia being South African meant security checks at every immigration checkpoint.

I am lucky enough to have friends in different area codes including Brooklyn,  we last saw each other 9 years ago in South Africa making this a perfect timing for a reunion. The one thing I can say is she is a worldly and highly informed individual. No brain cells die from having a conversation with her in fact you are more likely to develop a 6-pack from laughing whilst in her company.

On the train with Emma heading to Coney Island and learning about the history of Graffiti.

She has been the best guide EVER!! I do not like touristy things,  because that means I'm to busy posing in front of statues that truly mean nothing to me but are most likely to impress other folk who know America as I had known it from the pictures and movies.

We walked Brooklyn down doing a food tour, visiting different communities and having the specialty meal from their native country.  I even had dinner with Eula Biss the author of On Immunity courtesy of Emma.  I stuck my feet in the ocean at Coney Island and had a piragua to cool me down,  all experiences that as a regular tourist I would have never had.    

I do love meeting people, having conversations that make me think, laugh and learn.  I like history, knowing how a place has changed and what the impact has been on the community.  What I have learnt from spending the past few days with Emma is just incredible. I have gotten so much more than a visit,  I have been able to appreciate New Yawk for the amazing woman she is.  It's so huge with so many communities living here, the diversity is inconceivable. I cannot think of any where in the world where there are so many people, from different walks of life living in 1 city.

There is something to be said about New York, the people to me have been helpful and friendly and I'm pretty sure they have plenty tourist asking them for directions on the regular,  perhaps the French could learn a thing or 2 from New Yawkers.  The city truly never sleeps, I played chess at 11pm at Union Square with Barry a brilliant chess teacher  by far the best I have ever had.  I walked the streets till late at night to see if its as dangerous as CSI NY makes it out to be.  Can I just say that because of CSI I was convinced that I would be safer in Hillbrow than in New York. These shows can ruin your perception with ideas of being picked up in a dumpster after a chance meeting with some stranger who ends up killing you.

 I have even had random conversations with people on the streets as I would in South Africa.  They are people, good solid people who are doing their best, some have never left New York and the furthest out they have been is Atlantic City but they have the grace to ask "what's it like where you come from" and I can respect that over being asked if I have ebola.  I like this city, for all the elements that make it New Yawk; the hustle here is real and as meaty as a 300g rump steak.  I cannot speak for the rest of North America as I haven't been there yet but I can say visit New Yawk it is truly worth the experience, at least once in a lifetime.  Sadly for you, you will have to find your own  Emma.

Lover's dancing at midnight in the Subway to a guy playing the flute.

  

Jozi Spring Festivals

It's spring in Jo'burg and festivals galore, this year we are really spoilt for choice from food to film there is something for everyone. We have some amazing talent in South Africa and festivals are a great way of exposing people to

I had the privilege of attending one of these festivals with my close friend who owns Talamia Photography.

 

Here are few shots of the most amazing sunset, beautiful food and the essence of Johannesburg.



Sandton Sunset



Glorious Food!  The Macaroons from Belle's were absolutely devine

 

What a bar! Loved the Décor at this place

 

 

 

 



Mingling at Katy's Palace over wine and food a perfect way to end the day 

Dlala Nja - Just Play



Checking out the Skyline

There are some young leaders at the Iconic Ponte Tower in Hillbrow, they are a force of transformation using tourism as a catalyst for change. They run Dlala nje a place that allows children living in a congested inner city to be kids and play in a safe environment.  The business model is rather holistic as they also run tours that take people into the heart of the inner city to understand the famous skyline that makes Jo’burg the city of Gold.

Walking through Yeoville with the Bunny

The tours give one insight into the history of Hillbrow, Yeoville and Berea.  You get to see the place, walk with the people and see how it’s evolved.  You are given the opportunity to dispel society’s preconceived ideas and make up your own mind about these suburbs, whilst enjoying the delicacies that have been brought about by this melting pot of African cultures.

Viva Africa

 

Often when people venture into these suburbs they worry about their safety, well you have nothing to worry about.  Dlala Nje tours are well-known and respected amongst the community. Nickolaus is a great navigator as he leads you through the streets, bars, market and restaurants. 

Soccer keeping everyone entertained

The people are also very welcoming; we arrived at a Congolese bar to find men deeply engrossed in a soccer game taking place in Congo.  30 minutes later the same men were doing the Kwasa Kwasa after their team won the match,  it was time for all of us to hit the dance floor in celebration of the win.   For me it’s important that I take time to remove myself from my comfort zones and meet people from different walks of life, it gives me the opportunity to learn something new and also be part of a greater movement that’s creating good throughout the city of Jo’burg.

Taking some time to explore the market.

We explored Yeoville market that offers a large variety of produce from all over the African continent from yams to plantain you are bound to find it here.  After we had all walked the market and bought anything we fancied we headed to the Fish Lady for supper.   After being served lip-smacking fish and Chips cooked in Cameroonian fashion, I knew I would be coming back for more.

A view from rock bottom - Ponte, Hillbrow

Our tour ended off at the bottom or rather rock bottom of Ponte Towers staring at the Sky.  Wondering what people have been asking themselves for years; why would an architect build a hollow "toilet roll” building like this?  

Support responsible tourism by supporting guided tours like Dlala Nje, they not only changing perceptions but allowing you to play in back grounds you wouldn’t normally play in.   

Oh Fudge! I'm Locked in

 

33F! I won’t be forgetting that seat number very soon, in fact if I can avoid it all together I think it would be a brilliant idea.   I always prefer the window seat over the isle or the middle because let’s face it, it’s better than being sandwiched between two people, trying to muscle my way onto the arm rest.   My idea of tickling my funny bone does not involve being elbowed by the food trolley as it chugs past the isle seat.  So when I requested a window seat I had no idea it would be at the tail end of the plane.  Firstly I think this seat should come with a disclaimer for slow coaches. That should you get out at a relaxed pace, you might find yourself locked within the terminal.

When I discovered that the door to the arrivals section was locked, I ran back to the aircraft in search of help.  Luckily I was just in time, I caught the crew just as they were about to Disembark. 

Shouting “guys don’t leave I’ve been locked in I think we should fly to Mauritius”  Nothing like a bit of humour to turn a situation around and the best part was the crew played along as they contacted the authorities to open the door for me. 

From the Captain to the Flight Attendant,
all of them were brilliant at making sure I was taken care of.
 

 

I was really impressed with the whole team, not only did they entertain my jokes they also happily took selfies with me as we passed time waiting for the door to be opened.  In the age of selfie’s (Yes it’s the age of selfies when you have people dying in the name of selfies, it qualifies) getting some rocking pictures of the lady from seat 33F was certainly in order. 

That's Captain NomadicMichelle for you 

It's these random moments that make travelling an adventure, and having people to turn what could have been a very frustrating moment into a memory is priceless.   A huge Thank you to Captain Geyser and his team for excellent service and going the extra mile. 
 

The GERMS will take you Out

crushed?

Whilst most of us in South Africa are trying to escape the germs warding off the flu and common cold as if they were weapons of mass destruction, our brothers in Brazil seem to have caught a bad case of the GERMS.  When your opponent scores 5 goals within the first half, I can only imagine that they were suffering from body aches coupled with fatigue as they were assaulted by German efficiency.  This morning as I questioned my Austrian host at my B&B about the game he simply answered “Vorsprung Durch Technik” immediately I knew Brazil must have been annihilated.

I would also be taking Selfie's after a win like that

Well known for their efficiency, determination, discipline and engineering it seems the German's came to Brazil with one plan in mind. To take the World Cup and remind everyone about their ability to make the impossible happen.  You have to love men who have a goal, prepare for it fiercely and then beat you on your home ground.  Its like a stranger walking into you home whilst you are about to tuck into your favourite meal , they take it away making you a spectator as they tuck in.   Leaving you with nothing but a runny nose and stuffy eyes as you absorb that sinking feeling of defeat.

The worst part about leaving the field at half time, without having scored and facing a mountain of 5 goals is seeing your #1 fan’s turning their backs on you. I felt sorry for them,  it felt no different than the first time I took ill whilst travelling, with no one to look after me I felt all alone and destitute (illness will do that to you).  

Meu Deus!

Clearly they are not as lucky as the Liverpool team whose fans seem to have mastered the art of loyalty.  Through thick and thin, losses and disappointment they sing to their players reminding them that they shall never walk alone.  Whilst the Brazilian’s singing died down pretty quickly as  they walked out by halftime, charged with the type of sentiments that one would experience after finding out that your husband had invested all your savings on a ponsi scheme leaving you with no choice but to walk out with the kids and his parents.

With no one to turn to, all their doubts were confirmed as the last few remaining fans applauded Germany on their 6^th and 7^th goal.  The world watched with astonishment as they asked themselves “what happened to the Samba Mamba’s?   Well it seems Kevin-Prince Boateng could have possibly been one of the factors,  after having said that Germany has a all-star cast but can never make the final step when something is at stake. It seems he inspired that German perseverance after Joachim "Jogi" Löw responded to Baoteng's mocking words by simply saying  that they would respond adequately to that in the World Cup.  Considering that Ghana and Brazil have both become bench warmers, I would say indeed Germany you have responded rather adequately. 

Now go on and win the game, so I can wish Jerome Boateng Congratulations because he is German engineering at its finest!

*Thank you to all the great photographer's out there for the brilliant pictures*