Tag Archives: Holidays to Cape Town

A-Z of Travel – B is for Baggage…

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It’s bulky, it’s heavy and if we have too much of it, it can cost us a fortune, but baggage is an important part of travel, and despite having travelled around the world with little more than an oversized backpack, I still struggle to pack light!

A-Z of Travel - B is for Baggage…

My first attempt at packing light was for our first 6-week trip to South America, when my other half assured me that I would need nothing more than a couple of t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, sunglasses and a hat…Hmmm

We decided that rucksacks would be the most convenient type of luggage for our trip throughout Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Brazil, and I therefore headed off in search of a ‘sizeable’ backpack that would accommodate the ‘necessities’.

Initially, I was very tempted to purchase a 120-litre rucksack, but the 80-litre backpack I finally decided on was more than big enough. Once it had been packed, re-packed and then packed again, I had managed to fit in two pairs of jeans, 3 pairs of shorts, 2 summer dresses, a skirt, 10 t-shirts, 2 blouses, 3 bikinis, undies, 4 pairs of shoes, toiletries and a hairdryer!

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Of course, I had never really thought about trivial things such as weight… and so spent 6-weeks carrying a rather cumbersome 17kg pack on my back, while my wiser half had a mere 9kg to contend with!

These days I do believe I am getting better at packing light, and as we like to take advantage of the cheap flight tickets offered by budget airlines such as Ryanair, I can actually manage a whole weekend away with just 10kg of hand luggage…

Long-haul trips, on the other hand, do need better planning, and I feel it would be rude not to use my allotted 23kg on a flight to Cape Town or New Zealand!  Although, when heading to the US, one should always leave space for those ‘unbelievable bargains’ found in outlet centres!

Packing for a holiday is, for me, part of the adventure, and while I have probably paid more than my fair share for excess baggage in the past, our future travels are looking a whole lot lighter – thanks mainly to our ultra-light suitcases – now that’s a clever invention!

 

 

 

A-Z of Travel – A is for Africa…

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Well, I may have missed the A-Z blogging Challenge of April 2013, but a new month brings new ideas, I as we have 26 days left in May (one for each letter of the alphabet), I thought I would challenge myself to write an A-Z on Travel!

When I first started blogging back in January 2012, I was determined to write a blog every day, but what with climbing Kilimanjaro and training for the Cape Argus Cycle Tour, I come up a little short with just 344 blogs in 466 days!

Therefore, my May resolution is to get back on track, and today is the first day of my very own blogging challenge.

A is for Africa…

If you have read any one of my previous 344 blogs, you will have probably found the word ‘Africa’ hiding somewhere amongst the text!  A continent that I am still in the midst of exploring, Africa is exciting, enchanting, and offers the most exhilarating wild animal encounters, and if you like the idea of seeing something different on your next holiday, Africa should definitely be on your bucket list.

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My first introduction to the African continent was back in 2008 when we offered the chance to work in Cape Town, South Africa on a two-year contract.  At first, I was unsure, my parents were horrified, and I had so much paperwork to sort out for our beloved Cocker Spaniel that I never thought we would actually get there.  But five blood tests (the dog, not us!), one long-haul flight, and a bottle of South African Sauvignon Blanc later, we knew that Cape Town was a very special place indeed, and that we would have no problem calling the Mother City ‘home’.

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Leaving South Africa was one of the hardest moves we have ever had to make (and we’ve lived in eight different countries so far!), so when we decided to open our own travel company, we knew that Africa was going to be one of the destinations we would promote.

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Since returning to Europe, we have visited Africa several times, and in order to grow our African portfolio (we only promote tried and tested routes!), we look forward to uncovering more of Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Congo, Botswana, Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Madagascar on our future trips below the equator.

IMG_1708 A-Z of Travel - A is for Africa

A is for Africa… Let us see where B takes us!

Want to Ride the Cape Argus Cycle Tour in 2014? This is What You Can Expect…!

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Having written several blogs about our entry into the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour in South Africa this past March, I thought it only right that I should follow-up with some photos, details of our finishing times, and share our overall experiences of the world’s largest timed cycle race.

Registration for the Cape Argus Cycle Tour opens at the beginning of September each year and runs until all 35,000 places are sold out, which generally takes around two to three weeks.  International entries do remain open longer than the South African entries, but if you want to secure a place, you need to act fast.

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Once you have confirmed your spot on this 109km cycling event around the Western Cape, we highly recommend you book both your flights to Cape Town and your hotel accommodation, to avoid paying inflated prices next March. You will also need to look into bike transportation if you intend to take you own bike.

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A week or so before the race, you will receive an email with your race number, and when you arrive in Cape Town, you simply need to head to the registration, collect your race number and timing chip, and prepare for this amazing event.

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On the morning of the race, the streets of Cape Town are blocked off so that you can ride to the start-line with ease, and as the Cape Argus is brilliantly organised, you never need to worry about getting lost or making your way into the wrong starting group.

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When your start time arrives, you simply make your way to the front, wait for the whistle, and set off with the rest of your group on this gruelling but breathtaking route.  The South African crowd will cheer you onwards and upwards with their friendly banter, loud music and buckets of water, and there are plenty of ‘watering stations’ along the way to top-up your water bottles or grab a snack.

Want to Ride the Cape Argus Cycle Tour in 2014? This is What You Can Expect…!

You have a total of 7-hours to complete the race, and to be honest, I needed every minute, but I took my time, enjoyed the scenery and crossed the line victoriously!

If you intend to be one of the 35,000 cyclists who take part in the Cape Argus in March 2014, we can highly recommend you secure your place now with a licensed  travel agent or tour operator, but please keep your eyes open for un-licensed entities… Those without a license are not able to book flights on your behalf and you may end up cycling a lot further than you think!

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Is South Africa a Dangerous Place to Visit?

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Two of the most common questions we get asked by travellers who dream of visiting South Africa are, “is it safe” or “isn’t it dangerous?”, and while I can fully understand these questions (thanks mainly, to irresponsible journalism), I struggle to understand, why, after all these years, South Africa does not have the safe and welcoming reputation is most definitely deserves.

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Having lived in Cape Town for two years (2008 – 2010), and visited South Africa several times since, I can honestly say that I have never once felt threatened, in danger, or at risk in this beautiful country, and as a small (stubborn) blonde who insists on using public transport, shopping at local markets, and eating in traditional eateries, it was definitely not down to the fact that I wrapped myself in cotton wool!

Is South Africa a Dangerous Place to Visit?

Yes, we had Trellidor’s fitted to the doors and windows of our house, and yes, we had an ADT alarm system– but in the two years that we lived there, we never once needed to use them, and the only experiences we had with South Africans – Black, White, Coloured and Indian, were exceptionally good ones.

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An example of which, I would like to share from our most recent trip:

On a recent escorted tour of South Africa, guests of ours decided to head off into the Winelands for an afternoon of wine tasting.  Having visited the region before, they knew which winery they wanted to visit but couldn’t remember exactly where it was, so asked directions from a friendly passer-by.  Not happy with just giving directions, this wonderful gentleman offered to give the couple a lift to the winery in his tiny mini cooper filled with antique furniture.

While it was a tight fit, they made it to the winery, and only minutes later when their ‘chauffer’ had driven away, did they realise that they had left their camera in his car.

Disappointed and a little upset, they left their details with the winery “just in case” and decided to make the most of their day.

The following morning they received a call from the hotel reception to say that the gentleman had indeed returned to the winery, collected their details, and would be driving 50km to deliver their camera in person at 9am!

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This is a perfect example of the South Africa I know, and while I understand the country suffers from its fair share of crime, one only has to pick up the Daily Mail to read about the horrific crimes that happen between our own shores…

I should however, finish this blog with a true story about the time we were ‘robbed’ in South Africa… No one was hurt or injured; we simply had the gifts we had purchased for friends and family stolen by a ‘friendly’ couple from Liverpool in a 5-star hotel!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking with Lions in Cape Town

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If you have ever been to Cape Town, one iconic attraction you are sure to have visited is Table Mountain.  Offering a magnificent viewpoint over the Mother City, Table Mountain is certainly worth a visit, but we decided to show or guests a different view of Cape Town on our recent trip to SA, and climbed the mighty Lions Head instead.

Offering 360° views of the city, Camps Bay, the 12 Apostles, Robben Island, and on a clear day, Table View, Lions Head is a wonderful mountain to climb, and as they only way up involves manpower and determination (there are no cable cars here!), it is a lot less ‘touristy’ than its world-famous sister…

In true Equatours style, we packed a couple of bottles of Sauvignon Blanc and some Kudu Biltong to savour at the top as we enjoyed the view…

Walking with Lions in Cape Town

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Walking with Lions in Cape Town

Look How Tiny Table Mountain Looks from Up Here!

 

 

Quad Biking in Walker Bay – The Perfect End to a Perfect Day

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If you have ever experienced shark cage diving or whale watching in South Africa, you have most probably been to, or heard about, Walker Bay.

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A gorgeous wind-swept bay located between False Bay and Cape Agulhas in the Western Cape Province, Walker Bay not only attracts some of the largest Great White Sharks and whales in the Atlantic Ocean, but it also boasts an enormous array of flora and fauna, specifically Fynbos, making it a wonderful holiday destination for nature lovers.

There are some stunning properties within the Walker Bay area, such as the uber luxurious Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, and the charming Mosaic Private Sanctuary, and if you can drag yourself away from the glitz and glamour of Cape Town, we can highly recommend treating yourself to a day or two along this marine protected area.

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During our recent stay at the Mosaic Private Sanctuary, we were given the opportunity to take a quad biking tour along the sand dunes to Walker Bay beach for sundowners.  The sundowner part sounded good to me, but for someone who cannot even drive a lawnmower, the thought of setting off into unknown territory on a four-wheeled mean machine was somewhat daunting!

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However, quad biking we did, and I can honestly say it was one of the most thrilling excursions I have ever been on! Along with two fellow guests, Hannah and Judith, we set off into the sunset along with our guide for some serious sand dune action, and arrived at the beach in time to pop open the Sauvignon Blanc as the sun began to set…

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A perfect end to a perfect day, the sunsets in South Africa are, arguably, the most beautiful in the world, and as Walker Bay is so remote and un-crowded, the sunsets along these shores seem even more special.

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Chitwa Chitwa – The Perfect Destination for a Unique Safari Experience

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A luxurious safari lodge situated in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, Chitwa Chitwa is quite simply one of the most beautiful properties I have ever seen.

Nestling unobtrusively within the South African Bush, this stylish lodge overlooks the largest perennial lake within the game reserve, and if you are looking for a truly unique safari experience, you will struggle to find anywhere more perfect than this.

Chitwa Chitwa – The Perfect Destination for a Unique Safari Experience

It is all about the attention to detail in Chitwa Chitwa. Upon arrival, you are greeted by friendly staff with a cool towel and a refreshing drink, before being guided onto the most spectacular veranda overlooking a lake filled with hippos and crocodiles and surrounded by antelope of every shape and size.

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After a briefing of the daily activities and game drives on offer, you get the first opportunity to see your lodge – and you will not be disappointed.  King size four-poster beds, luxurious furnishings, huge bathrooms and a private deck with swimming pool all comes as standard at Chitwa, and yet, it is done is such a way that you still feel completely at one with nature.

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Meal times are a celebration of local and international cuisine, with lunch and dinner served with a fine choice of South African wines.  Breakfast is a feast, and if you do start to feel peckish late afternoon (which is very doubtful!), you can indulge in afternoon tea before heading off on your evening game drive.

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Game viewing in Sabi Sand is fantastic, and if you do not manage to see the Big 5 (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Water Buffalo and Leopard) during your stay, I would be most surprised.  We witnessed no less than five leopards during our 2-night stay, a whole herd of elephants, and most surprising of all, a pack of 17 African Wild Dogs finishing off their early morning prey.

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As the sun begins to set over the bush, sundowners are served, and I can guarantee that the G&T you sip, while watching the beautiful blue-sky turn from orange to red before finally dimming into midnight blue, will be the best you ever tasted!

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Whether it is your first safari holiday or your 100th trip into the South African bush, we think Chitwa Chitwa is the perfect destination for a unique safari experience – so good, in fact, they named it twice!

 

 

 

 

A South African Adventure

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Having just returned from three glorious weeks in sunny South Africa, I can hardly wait to get back to work so that we can share our new properties, new routes, and new adventures with our fellow world travellers.

A magnificent country that never fails to impress, South Africa supersedes our expectations every time we visit, and if there is one destination that belongs on everyone’s bucket list, this has to be the place!

Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour 2014

Starting with the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, we cycled 109km around the Western Cape in what can only be described as a gruelling but thrilling event!  The route through and around Cape Town was a lot steeper than I had remembered, and just when you think you have conquered the toughest part, Chapman’s Peak, you turn the corner into Suikerbossie…

It’s steep, it’s the last 10km or so, and after 100km in 32 degrees, it’s not funny at all!  But you know what, the South African crowd make this an amazing event, they cheer you on, spray you with water, sing, blast you with music, and I for one cannot wait to cycle the Cape Argus Cycle Tour in 2014!

Escorted Tours and Self Drive Tours South Africa

All the members of our small group escorted tour managed to complete the race, and while I was last out of our group (I’m blaming the bike!), I have my medal, which is hanging proudly next to my Kilimanjaro certificate!

After our guests left, Ingo and I were lucky enough to head to Mpumalanga to view new properties for our portfolio – and we found some very special places indeed!  Dawson’s Game & Trout Lodge is a hidden gem, the perfect retreat for those looking to escape the fast pace of everyday life, and if you are doing a self-drive tour of South Africa, it will fit perfectly into your itinerary on the way to or from Kruger Park.

Leopards on Safari Chitwa Chitwa Sabi Sands Luxury Safari Holidays

We then headed to the uber luxurious Sabi Sands to stay at the most amazing lodge – Chitwa Chitwa. If you are looking for a romantic honeymoon destination or a luxury safari experience, pack your bags and head straight on down to this amazing sanctuary in the middle of Sabi Sand game reserve.  The service is second to none, the accommodations are breathtaking, the food is delicious (and plentiful!), and the game viewing is the best we have ever seen.  Leopards on every corner (look how close we got!), hippos in front of your private terrace, lions, wild dogs, elephants, water buffalo, rhinos, we not only saw the Big 5, but also the Magnificent 7 – and that was a real treat!

South Africa really is the most stunning holiday destination in the world, and I am counting the days until we return!

 

The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour – The Countdown Has Begun…

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With just 3 days left until we fly to Cape Town, and 5 days, 8 hours, 16 minutes and 20 seconds until the Cape Argus Pick n Pay cycle tour, training time is running out, and we have just about reached that stage whereby if we are not fit enough to cycle 109km in seven hours now – we never will be!

February seemed to whiz by in a blur of snowstorms, cold and flu systems, and endless hours on an exercise bike, and while I cannot say that I feel in peak condition, I am certainly ready for some South African sunshine on my bones and some serious cycling action with our group of sporting fans.

As the world’s largest timed cycle race, the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour attracts over 35,000 cyclists each year, and somewhere amidst all those finely tuned professional cyclists, I hope to find my place and make my way around this amazing course in the mere seven hours allotted.

A constant cycling speed of at least 15.6km per hour is required if we are complete the cycle tour on time, and with the weatherman forecasting temperatures of around 34 degrees Celsius for Cape Town next Sunday, it looks as though it’s going to be one long hot and sticky race!

Entries for the Cape Argus 2013 are now closed, but if you fancy having a go at this epic cycle tour in 2014, here’s what you need to prepare for…

Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour 2013 Route Profile

Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour 2013

Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour 2013 Route Map

Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour 2013

Image source – Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust

If we finally make it across the finish line, we have been informed to “negotiate it like a pro, keep a straight line to avoid crashing, smile for the photographers, and bask in our awesomeness!”

This time next week, I’ll let you know exactly how ‘awesome’ we feel!  Wish us luck!

We’re Not the Only Cape Argus Virgins – Sir Richard Branson will be Cycling Cape Town Too!

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With just under 3-weeks to go until the world’s largest individually timed cycle race, The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, we have been upping our hours at the gym in an attempt to get as fit as possible for this mega 109km event around the Western Cape.

Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour

Image source – Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust

Preparing to climb Kilimanjaro was nothing compared to this, and the fact that we have to get around the mountainous 109km track in 7-hours or less, has us ‘Cape Argus Virgins’ shivering in our rather restrictive Lycra cycling shorts!

However, today we found out that we are not the only Cape Argus Virgins tackling the 2013 event, and that we will be riding around the Cape of Good Hope with the most famous ‘Virgin’ of them all – Sir Richard Branson!

Riding in the team colours of Virgin Active South Africa, Mr. Branson will be joining us (not personally!) and approximately 35,000 other cyclists who are going to attempt the route, and is said to be “tremendously excited” about competing in the event.

The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle tour has attracted many celebrities over the years, with the likes of Oscar Winner Matt Damon tackling the race on tandem with his brother, and cycling pros such as Lance Armstrong and Jan Ulrich completing the circuit.

Heat waves and strong winds have led to the race being stopped more than once, but I am quietly confident that the weather will be kind on us this year, and that we and our fellow Cape Argus Virgin, Sir Richard, will make it across the finish line just in time to enjoy a refreshing glass of South African Sauvignon Blanc… Fingers crossed anyway!

Registration for International cyclists closes on 22nd February – so you have just 4-days left to secure your place on the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour 2013.