Having done Cuba and China people said these trips could not be beaten. However, this year’s trips to far away exotic South Africa has made them change their minds.
Long in preparation the journey kicked off in late October with two long haul flights, the first from Dublin to Dubai and then all the way down over the African continent to far away Cape Town on the south coast. We flew second class with Emirates Air which is equivalent to first class with any other airline. The wine and good cheer flowed freely.
At the airport we met two great people our guide Karen and driver Myles. These two people were crucial to get all that happened from then on. In no time at all they whisked us straight into lovely Cape Town that world famous inconic ‘Mother City’ at the foot of Table Mountain, regarded by many as one of the seven wonders of the world. The view as we entered the city was quite spectacular.
There then followed a city tour, much of it on foot, nobody minded the walking as the weather was lovely around 25 degrees and there was so much to see as we made our way to the famous waterfront. Here the array of shops and restaurants was overwhelming. Then tired but happy we checked into our hotel the Southern Sun on the waterfront.
This hotel had everything, lovely food just like home, huge rooms, pool and saunas etc.
Next morning it was up early and off to tour the shanty town of Langa just outside Cape Town. Our Guide Zamile lived there with his family in a tiny one room shack made of galvanised iron. The place was crowded with little children everywhere. Amazingly all looked so happy with so little. In another shanty house a mother washed clothes by hand with all her children around her and a little baby asleep in a bed beside her, all in one room. This visit indeed was an eye-opener to us all.
However, huge strides have been made since Nelson Mandela was released from prison. Of course he is revered all over South Africa and his name is everywhere. We were also fortunate to see some of the new houses built by the Niall Mellon Fund. They are a huge boost to local communities and are so badly needed. For the people there to move into one is like moving to a mansion for us.
That afternoon we took the ferry to Robin Island to visit the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 23 years. Our brilliant guide Modise was actually imprisoned with Mandela when he was a young student. The emotional account he gave us of prison life for Mandela from the very cell he lived in, was unforgettable and chilling.
Next day we headed for the Cape of Good Hope. The scenery along the way was amazing especially at Chapmans Peak and Hout Bay. At the Cape some great pictures were taken from the most southernly point on the African continent.
Next on the agenda was a visit to a Safari Ostrich farm. These huge birds are amazing close up and of course are produced commercially for meat and feathers. Some of our group got to hand feed the birds while others attempted to crush their eggs by standing on them but to no avail. That evening we headed for Oudfshoorn and checked into the up market Protea Hotel.
Next morning we were back on the famous garden route and headed into Mossel Bay a coastal town and tourist heaven with lots to do and see.
A very special treat was instore for us all that afternoon when we visited the world renowned Cango Caves. They blew us all away with their dramatic limestone formations of flowstone, stalagmites and stalactites. Huge chambers surrounded us with their great walls covered in sheats of glistening calcite many creating unusual shapes and illusions. We were in a totally different world and did not want to leave it.
From here we made our way to lovely Kynsna and booked into another fine hotel, the Premier. Next morning it was all action as we headed for the featherbed reserve a pristine piece of paradise situated on the western head of Kynsna.
We were taken by jeep deep into the reserve then tracked it all the way back to lunch at an unusual retaurant in the trees.
Early next morning up early as usual and off to Port Elizabeth. Along the way we stopped and visited the Tsitsikamma National Park, which is a famous stop along the garden route. Here you find spectacular scenery including Rocky Shores beneath 180m high cliffs, evergreen forest and lots of exotic animals and plants.
We all set off on a hike which though amazing was quite challenging for some. Worst of all we had to cross three rope bridges which swung perilously to and fro. People gripped the ropes and made a dash for ir, delighted and relieved to make it safely over to the other side.
Arriving in Port Elizabeth we booked into the Kelway Hotel again, ideal for our needs. We found this city small, modern and friendly with less poverty than elsewhere.
The very best was now to unfold as next day we headed on the long drive west to Kariega Game Reserve. Barely there when we were taken by jeep to our wooden lodge in the wilderness complete with open fire etc. At last we were one with nature.
At 6am next morning we were again picked up by jeep to head off on our very first safari into the unspoilt countryside. We gasped in awe at the huge variety of animals and birds that scuttled out of the thicket as we sped along in our open top vehicle. There was a huge variety of antelope, deer, bison and zebra grazing on the open plains. As we rounded a corner peering at us were three giraffes. Next animal we encountered was the white rhino, mammy, daddy and baby. As we marvelled at their huge size, the daddy suddenly turned on us sending chills of fear down our spines. He was huge and would have turned us over just like a rag doll but for the quick actions of our Africano driver Bungami. with the dramatic sudden manoeuvers of a rally driver he steered us clear of all danger. This was how our first dive into the unknown wilderness went.
That evening we were out again this time to find and view the elephants. Eventually we came upon a mother, her baby and several young females who were babysitting her little one while she had supper.
The hippos were next in a huge pool where they soaked up the sun. Still no lions but this changed next morning when we came upon a pack of three devouring an antelope for breakfast. There was also a dramtatic race between two male ostriches to see who the female would pick, the fellow that won the race of course!
We then came upon the legendary secretary bird resting in an isolated bush. They are huge and take off just like an aeroplane. Their feathers were highly prized for writing quills in older times.
By now we all had seen the famous big 5 – lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo. This did not stop us from rising at sunrise on the day we departed for one last jaunt through the park, so natural, so unspoilt.
The safari was indeed the highlight of a trip that had everything. It left great memories and will be talked about among the group for years to come.
South Africa hugely impressed us all. It is a country of over 50 million with a great future ahead. Yes change for the better is taking place and fast. There is still a long way to go but they are getting there. People are open and friendly and by in large it is quite safe there. It is an absolute must to visit for any pioneering traveller. Don’t put it off just go, you will love every minute of it.
HOLA!
Just three weeks before the African trip T.O. led another group of 72 of us to sunny Spain. Those who travelled wanted sunshine and a trip that was a bit more relaxing. This is exactly what we got.
After a short flight from Dublin to Barcelona, we undertook a major tour of this fire city. The highlight for most was our visit to the Sagrada Familia, still under construction.
That evening we headed off down the coast and eventually arrived in lovely Cambrils north of Valencia. We went straight to our hotel the Olimar Aparthotel. This was to be our home and base for the next week. This hotel was fastastic, with all the facilites you could ever want. The rooms were huge the food superb and the location minutes from the beach.
Cambrils itself is a lovely up market town with a huge promenade full of lovely restaurants, shops etc. There are two fine beaches and the harbour is full of luxury boats and hatches. It was the ideal location for our group to relax, unwind and soak up the fabulous sunshine. Each day T.O. gave the option of a trip out of the town. We went back up to Barcelona and spent a wonderful day there shopping and sightseeing using of course the world famous street La Rambla as our base.
We spent another great day visiting the Benedictine Monastery in Montserrat perched high in the mountains. The drive up was spectacular if not scary with all those hairpin bends.
Another great day out was spent in Salou known and loved by Irish people for years.
On another day we visited the historic Roman city Terragona. this was the perfect place to relax or do some shopping. As the week rolled on we all really did love Cambrils and want to return some time in the future. You can’t beat Spain for sunshine, great value and a lovely relaxing atmosphere.
Our travels are not over for this year yet. Soon we will head to Budapest, Hungary for the Christmas markets. T.O. will lead another small group to Moscow just after Christmas and a bigger group to Sin City itself Las Vegas, Nevada and the west coast of America in early January. “There is no stopping us now, only go world here we come!”
