Gaberone - Botswana

Botswana - Always have been my favourite African Country and I dont think it will ever change. I love the people and I love the beauty of Botswana. The lime greeen grass in winter and the big beautiful moon as it shows its round face in the evening against the black ink sky.

This past weekend I went to Gaberone for a short trip. And was pleasantly surprised at the beautiful buildings. The city has grown beyond anything I could imagine. Honestly beautiful architecture. Lots of glass and shapes setting against the blue skyline. My favourite the Justice Deaprtment and courts with the statues on the round domes. The area around the goverment and state buildings are wonderfully kept and worth the sight seeing.

At the Airport Junction Mall, you can just about find anything you need and the restuarants are very metropolitan with designer coffees on offer. I am not a Mall person, but is is a very nice Mall.

As usual, what I noticed, was: no beggars on the streets, no hawkers right at the street corners, taxi's drive the speed limit of 80km/ph or less, not millions of hawkers hogging the areas in front of shops and guess what ?....no car guards. Botswana is a country well run and Gaberone is a shining excample of this.

I am proudly African and sometimes proudly South African, but South Africa, we can learn a lot from our neighbours. A lot!

Well done Gaberone!! Whatever you have done, it is working.

Ghana - a destination to consider

AKWAABA is an expression you will hear a number of times during your stay in Ghana. AKWAABA meaning, "you are welcome".
And you will feel welcome, in this Land of sunshine. The people here have been labelled with "being the friendliest" in Africa.

Here you will find wonderful white sandy tropical beaches, a country with a rich heritage, wildlife areas of interest. And of course the sun.

Ghana is nestled in between from the South by the Atlantic Ocean, on the West Cote d'Ivoire, the East by Togo and North, Burkina Faso, making this a tropical country. Ghana has a estimated population of 20 million.

Since the climate is warm and tropical throughout most of the year, remember to take light clothing when you visit Ghana. There are also no restrictions on what women may wear.

Ghana is any nature lover's dream, with it sunny climate, it offers wildlife ranging from elephants to monkeys, crocodiles to turtles and this country is an absolute must for the birders out there as well as the butterfly enthusiasts.

This country is well worth a visit.

I will be adding and reviewing some exciting and excotic lodges over the next week or so. So look out for those.

AKWAABA

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Fun day at a Model Train track

With a little bellow of dark grey steam and the pulling of the steam train whistle, the little trains with names like Daniel, Julius and Halley Flyer with their little wagons full of small children and the odd parent, start their chug chug chug down the miniature railway circuit of approximately 900 metres of multi-gauge track which includes a tunnel, bridges, points, around a 2.5 hectare site situated in park with lovely green grass and shady trees, just outside Pietermaritzburg, KZN.

The Pietermarizburg Model Engineering Society encourages people to become involved in steam specifically and generally to preserve both the engines and machines of yesteryear, and the skills that are associated with them, but are fast disappearing in our modern high tech world.

Here they build miniuatre replicas of larger scale locomotives etc. There is a great emphasis on steam preservation.

Every first Sunday of the month it is open to the public when you can buy tickets to enjoy rides on these perfect little trains and enjoy a day out with the kids.






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Recipe for Curried Goat

We have had such uproar about the Goat meat which was found in some meat products in South Africa, that I felt it just right to blog a Curried Goat Recipe. It is a lean meat with 30% more iron, good for cholestrol sufferers and for the health conscience people out there. Curried Goat Ingredients • 2.5 lbs goat meat • 3 Tbsp (25 mL) of curry powder • 1 cup (250 mL) large onion, chopped • 2 cloves of garlic, chopped • 2 green chillies, diced • 5 whole allspice (pimento) • 2 cups (500 mL) potatoes, diced • 1 tsp (2 mL) sea salt & 3 bullion cubes • ¼ tsp (1 mL) peppercorn, crushed • 2 cup (250 mL) water Directions 1. Cut meat into one inch (2.5 cm) strips and place in a large pot. 2. Add the rest of the ingredients into the pot and cover. 3. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1:30 minutes or until the meat is tender. Stir occasionally Serve with rice or pap

Donkey found in our meat products? I Protest. Goat - Yes

We have an uproar in South Africa, as it was found we have have other "meat items" in out meat products, including goat, donkey and water buffalo. Now the only one I have a problem with is the donkey. No people!!!! We cannot kill little cute donkeys for our meat products. It is a big no no!! Imagine eating little Chocolate in a piece of Boerewors. (Sausage) I protest!! Goat. Yes. Water Buffalo. Yes. I have had some wonderful goat stews through the years. Nothing wrong with it. It is a delicacy in some restuarants overseas, but in Africa, it is a common meat to use in stews etc. Goat meat comprises 63 percent of all red meat that is consumed worldwide. Currently, goats are the main source of animal protein in many North African and Middle Eastern nations. Goats are also important in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and other tropical regions. Goat meat has been established as a lean meat with favorable nutritional qualities, and it's an ideal choice for the health-conscious consumer. Goat meat is lower in calories, total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol than traditional meats. Less saturated fat and less cholesterol mean healthier red meat for the health-conscious consumer. So really people. Donkey - NO. Goat - YES

Its a battle

This week has really been a battle so far. No phone lines or ADSL due to some very clever construction person who decided to cut all the cables. As well as damaging the electricity cables. And because of this now, I am in "transit". Moving from one office to another to get a "hit" of electricity when it decides to have a sudden spark of life in order for me to charge my notebook and phone. Seems like the whole office is surving on my notebook and cell phone.

Then of course: no water either as the very clever plumbers allowed cement bags and some cement to get stuck and bricked up in our new plumbing.

Yes, people, its a wonderful week so far. BUT, I am grateful. I have a job (at least until Thursday), I have health and happiness. And what more can one ask? And I am confident: tomorrow all will be well

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Want to be any where else?....No..not me

It’s once again a beautiful evening in the Bushveld. It is clear skies and the air has cooled down and it smells like only the bush can smell. Fresh and sweet. I am privileged to live in this place. That I know. And I am thankful for it every day of my life. Even though I work in the city during the week, I come home every weekend and am grateful. We have just come back from a walk down the farm road, and all we heard was the sound of the birds starting to settle for the evening, the crisp bark of the zebras and the snort of the blue wildebeest warning the others at the water that something is on its way, the lions in the distance and the call of the black backed jackals. If I could hear the laugh of the hyena now, my evening will be complete. As I sit here, I see the near full moon in appearing in the sky and the inky darkness of the night is nearly upon us. And I don’t want to be anywhere else.

Whats wrong with wearing Lipstick in the bush??

I always wear lipstick, mostly red. Now..I dont leave my lipstick home when I go to the bush. Goes into my little bag and thats it! When I feel the need to put it on, I do. Even if an Impala is going to be a meal for the lioness stalking it, whilst we watching. I mean, what is wrong with that? :-) I do however, constantly get disgusting looks from other half when I do, and our friends always have a good giggle, as they know how irritated he gets and that I cant help myself. I reckon I have to look my best for this big occasion. Our favourite Game Ranger/Guide at our favourite and special Private Game Reserve, always asks me on our yearly visit "Did you pack your lipstick?". Of course I did!..sometimes I give him a little dirty look when he asks the question. I also put lipstick on when we stop for our sundowners. Its a special time of the day. Watching the sun going down in Africa and sipping a Gin&Tonic with a slice of lemon. Just the way I like it. The lips have to be red for this of course. So next time you come across a woman at a lion kill putting on red lipstick, you know its me. A little wave will be okay. I will then know you have read this. Have a great day

Why not try a Mopane Worm?

Mopane worms are called phane in Botswana, mashonja in Zimbabwe and parts of South Africa, and omangungu in Namibia. Nutritionally they rich in protein along with good percentages of iron and calcium. Since they require little input when it comes to growing and harvesting , it has become a valuable and profitable source of food and income. Mopane worms get their English name from hanging out on Mopane trees which are prevalent in Southern Africa. They are also not worms, but caterpillars, the larvae of the Emperor Moth. The best time to harvest them is when they are at maximum plumpness, late in their larval stage and before they bury themselves in order to re-appear as an Emperor moth. The Mopane worms like the Mopane tree, but they also feed off mango trees and other bushes. Big Business Dried mopane worms have become a multimillion-dollar industry. They’re even exported from Zimbabwe to countries like South Africa and Botswana. They can be found in African restaurants in Paris. How to Cook Mopane Worms A common way to eat Mopane worms is to fry them with tomatoes, peanuts, chillies and onions, like my delicious specimen. They can also be added to a stew, boiled to soften them up, or simply eaten raw and fresh off a tree. When they're fresh, they are obviously less chewy. Recipe for Mopane Worm Stew: INGREDIENTS For 4 people • 1.5 tablespoon(s)peanut butter (optional) • 130 grams Mopane worms • 1 x 330ml can BLACK LABEL beer • 4 ripe, medium tomatoes, chopped • 2 cup(s) water • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1 teaspoon(s) hot chilli sauce • 1 pinch(es)salt and pepper • 1 tablespoon(s)oil DIRECTIONS 1. In a bowl mix together the beer and water 2. Place Mopani worms into the bowl & soak for a minimum of 4 hours 3. When worms are re-hydrated they are ready, drain, reserving 1 cup of the liquid 4. Heat the oil in a pot, add the onions & cook for 3 mins until soft 5. Add the worms, tomatoes & chilli sauce, together with half of the reserved liquid. Bring to the boil & cook for 5 minutes. Turn down heat to simmer for a further 10 minutes, stirring from time to time. Add more liquid if required 6. Season with salt & pepper. Add more chilli if required 7. Serve with pap or rice. http://www.afriqueescapades.co.za

Africa - Excitement awaits you

Africa - to visit Africa is the same than starting a life long passionate romance. Africa seduces you like no other. And yes, we have the wildlife. The lions, the majestic elephants, the elusive leopard, the pre-historic looking rhino and crocodile etc. And yes, we have the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Nowhere else will you find the moon as beautiful as in Africa on a dark night. A cinnamon moon. "There is a queer witchery about the moon when it is full - Oom Schalk Lourens remarked - especially the moon that hangs over the valley of the Dwarsberge in the summer time. It does strange things to the mind, the Marico Moon, and in your heart are wild and fragrant fancies, and your thoughts go far away. HC Bosman But besides the beauty of our landscapes and the wild game still roaming, Africa offers the visitor our hospitality. The warmth of the smile of the Fulani people from Cameroon. To me the most beautiful of our Indigenous people. The exciting Masai people, tall and regal, the friendly smiles of the people from Malawi, as warm as the waters around Malawi, the wonderful people from Botswana with their great sense of humour. And then of course we have our own playground for the adventure seekers. The Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River is not dubbed one of the natural seven wonders of the world for nothing. The 108 metre drop creates a spectacle like no other and is known as Mosi-oi-Tunya or The Smoke that Thunders. Located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Victoria Falls has a host of activities to keep young and old entertained. The African landscape has long been known for its beauty and mistery and the area around Victoria Falls offers the best value for money experience on the continent, with a Natural Wonder, a National Park, Game Drives and adventures all in a radius of 50km. Come visit us in Africa. We are waiting. Come,explore and fall in love. http://www.afriqueescapades.co.za

Another week has started

Another week has started and hopefully we are all ready for it. It has been a past week of turmoil in South Africa, with murders, rape, political parties fighting, political parties starting up, corruption, etc, etc, etc, and so I can go on. However, I am quite sick of all the bad news going around and for two days I am "weaning" myself off any news. Bad or good. Well, I will take the good. The only way I know I can get total peace of mind, will be for me to be in the bush, with only the song of the birds around me, the sudden quiteness, that could actually hurts the ears. And it is not a ugly hurt, rather one to appreciate. And if I feel like just staring into space, no one will bother me with questions and demands. But that will be the ideal world, for me at least. However, today, its not meant to be and we have things to do, people to see and daily problems which pop up. But a person can dream and I also dream of "An Africa which is in Peace with itself". Africa is my queen, she is Mother Africa and I so wish we would start being proud of being African, black or white. And in doing so, change the violence, corruption and greed which have marked Africa's people as such.

Sunday in Africa

For some reason Sundays are always quieter in the bush than during the week. Why, I don't know. It just feels that way. Like even the animals and birds are having the day off. Probably just my imagination, but that is the way it feels to me.

This is the day I just relax and enjoy the quietness around me. It gives me a sense of peace. Gives me time to reflect and to recharge my batteries for the week to come.

I wish you all a blessed Sunday
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Rhino Poaching Continues

The Rhino Poaching has escalated in our country, South Africa, at an alarming rate. 92 To date, the 15th of February. Most, once again in Kruger National Park.

Little Ntombi was rescued after poachers killed her mom, and because she tried to get close to her mother, the ruthless poachers hacked her on her little head with pangas. When rescuers found her she was bleeding and in pain, but fiesty. She has luckily healed and is now living in a Rhino Orphanage.

It seems to me, we are fighting a losing battle, although I want to believe we will win the war against poaching in the end.
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