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Yolanda Barkhuizen visits Seychelles July 2010

Great people, excellent food, superb hotels and just an all-round stunning destination with summer 365 days a year! That’s Seychelles!

I was privileged enough to visit the Seychelles in July. I had an absolute excellent time and would definitely recommend it to anyone – young and old! Yes, and even though it was winter, it felt more like a mild South African summer!

We arrived at Seychelles International Airport on Monday morning 19 July 2010. While waiting for our flight from Mahe to Praslin, I went to find a place where I could buy a sim card. I found a small hidden kiosk and bought an Airtel sim card plus 50 Rupees airtime for only 1 Euro. A great option if you haven’t got roaming on your phone!

During our flight from Mahe to Praslin, we had stunning views of all the inner islands of the Seychelles. Praslin is an absolute breath-taking island and should definitely be visited by everyone. It’s only a 15 minute flight from Mahe or a one hour boat trip.

On our first day we visited the 5* Constance Lemuria Resort, which has the only 18-hole golf course in the Seychelles. On day two, the highlight of the trip, we visited the island of La Digue. We took the William Rose ferry from Baie Ste Anne Jetty to La Digue. We had a guided tour through the island with lunch at a beach restaurant - eating typical Seychelles cuisine prepared by a local chef. All of that, while we were sitting with our feet in the sand. That’s life! After lunch, we went to Anse Source d’Argent which is one of the most famous and most photographed beaches in the world.

The following day, we had to say our farewells to Praslin island as we had to take our flight back to Mahe. Arriving at Mahe, we took a boat to Labriz Jetty which is on Silhouette island. We spent the day there and had lunch at the only hotel on the island, the 5* Labriz. After returning from Silhouette island, we had to make ready for a creole buffet dinner at Chez Batista on Mahe island. With cassava chips, breadfruit chips, banana coconut chips, and sweet potato chips for pre-dinner snacks, a Creole buffet, and a moutia band with bonfire and dancers on the beach as entertainment,... what more can one ask for?

On day 7, our last day, we had a special surprise waiting for us. A catamaran cruise from Eden island with dinner on board. After the cruise, one couldn’t help but feel sad as we came to realise that it was indeed our last night on this stunning island! The following day we were met by the Select Seychelles team and had to say our good byes as we made our way back to the airport.

Seychelles – Wow! What an unforgettable experience and definitely well recommended. With so many good memories, I can’t help but think I might go back in the not too distant future. I just want to give a big thanks to our sponsors and hosts – Thompsons holidays, Seychelles tourism, Air Seychelles and Select Seychelles who made this trip possible. Also, a big thanks to Boland travel who gave me this great opportunity to be able to explore the beauty and all of what the Seychelles has to offer.

ROSA - Registration of South Africans Abroad

What is ROSA?

It is a software programme developed by the Department of International Relations and cooperation allowing travellers to register on-line.

The information travelers register on ROSA allows the Department to assist South African citizens in event of an emergency. The registration is a free, voluntary service provided by Government (through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation). ROSA is only available to South African citizens who are travelling, living or working abroad.

ROSA is an initiative that is endorsed and supported by ASATA.

Why should I register?

Vast numbers of people who travel abroad every day do not encounter any difficulties. However, there is a growing number of South Africans who have become victims of crime, accidents, illness, death, natural/man-made disasters, civil unrest, or whose family and/or next-of-kin needed to contact them in an emergency.

By registering your trip on-line with ROSA you assist the Department to locate you during an emergency, verifying your status and liaising with your next-of-kin. Information on ROSA is not continuously monitored and will only be accessed during a declared consular emergency.

The address is http://www.dirco.gov.za/consular/index.html

ADVICE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS TRAVELLING ABROAD

Preparation and knowledge is the key to a successful trip!

BE PREPARED

Take time to learn about the financial, customs, political, cultural and economic environment of the destination. Learn at least a few key phrases in the target country's language. Even a modest command of the local language will go a long way. When travelling abroad the laws of the foreign country apply to everybody. South Africans are not exempt from local foreign legislation and will not receive special treatment.

PASSPORT

A combination of your South African passport and identity document are the best proof of your South African citizenship. If your passport is due to expire within the next six months or has less than two blank pages, please check with the embassy or consulate of the country of your destination for rules and restrictions regarding passport validity and expiry. Keep certified copies of your passport (including the visa pages) with you for identification purposes. Do not keep the passport and the copies in the same place. An additional precaution is to leave a copy with a relative or friend at home.

VISAS / PERMITS

A visa or permit is your permission to travel to, enter, transit or remain in a foreign country.

Always check with the travel agent and/or the Foreign Representative in SA whether a visa is required or not. Since requirements can change from time to time it is best to double check the requirements before each trip.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is strongly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling abroad. It should cover hospitalisation and related medical costs as well as a possible emergency evacuation. Depending on your age, physical condition and destination you should consider provision in the event of death. We will be able to advise you.

DRIVING ABROAD

Prospective travellers who intend driving abroad must apply for an international driving permit (IDP) These are issued by the Automobile Association of South Africa. Always ensure that you have both your original driver's licence as well as your IDP with you and keep copies (preferably certified copies) separate from the originals. South African drivers' licences are recognised in SADC countries (Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe).

You are welcome to contact any of our consultants should you require any further information on the above,

WINELANDS CLASSIC: Members day 13/10/10

This year we were again part of the annual Winelands Classic held at the Paarl Golf Club.

During the week we had a traveldesk where we could handle any enquiries on site. On

13 October we had our own Boland Travel Classic. It took a lot of hard work and planning, but it was well worth it.

In order to get everything done our day started very early. Relais Hotels and us had a wethole where we served A-M-A-Z-I-N-G cocktails. We also ran a putting competition with great prizes. All in all it was a beautiful day and the 'Seychelles' theme worked out perfectly!!

Anneke Kriek, Marianne Strydom, Yolanda Barkhuizen

Zonnette van Rooi at the Wet hole



Anneke Stroebel at the putting competition


We invited 3, 4 balls for the day and everyone seem to have enjoyed:



James Elkington, Avril Stassen, Izak Strauss, Hendrik Coetzee



Johan Snyman, Hennie le Roux, Johan Wessels, Pieter Stofberg



Tony Stern(2nd from left) and his team


The team decided that the evening function should be something spectacular and a lot of fun! We all got dressed up as air hostesses for the evening on flight BT1984. We demonstrated the inflight safety procedures.... with our own special flair and fun! We and our guests had a great time!

Air hostesses....pretty in PINK!



The safety procedures as explained here by Anneke Kriek. Your lifevest , and of course oxygen in liquid form....!!


We decided that we instead of spending money on little gifts for all our guests attending the evening function that we would rather give something back to the community. A donation was made to the Sunflower fund, a non-governmental, non-profit organisation helping all South Africans diagnosed with leukaemia and other life-threatening blood disorders. Each guest received a bandana which served as their head belt (safety belt). National bandana day was on Tuesday 12 October but we decided that there is no reason why we could not have National Bandana Evening on 13 October - all our guests joined in.

Guests supporting "Bandana Evening"

We met a lot of wonderful and interesting people this week, made lots of new friends and we look forward to again host this event in 2011. We thank everybody for their contribution in making this event a great success!

MEGAWEEK 14 - 17 SEPTEMBER 2010

Vandag lei alle paaie na die gewilde Agri Megaweek een van die grootste landbouskoue in Suid- Afrika. Ek (Zonnette) en Anneke Kriek is ook oppad. My heel eerste besoek aan Bredasdorp asook die Megaweek.

Ons eerste stop is Greyton en ons word omring deur groen lande wat net geen einde ken nie. . Wat 'n pragtige klein dorpie! Ons het besluit om sommer op pad na Bredasdorp hier in te loer by 'n gastehuis wat dalk geskik kan wees as konferensiefasiliteit vir van ons kliënte.

Na ons inspeksie is ons weer volstoom op pad,...Caledon.....Napier.....Bredasdorp!

By die BKB Terrein was dit een groot miernes van bedrywighede soos uitstallers hulle haas om hul produkte uit te stal en te bemark. Net so na vyf kon ek en Anneke ook met trots kyk na die Boland Travel uitstalruime. Ons was reg om Boland Travel se naam hier hoog te hou! Almal moet een of ander tyd op vakansie gaan en dit is waarvoor ons daar is - om in alle reisbehoeftes te voorsien. Besoekers kon nie ons stalletjie verbyloop nie!! As die reisgogga gebyt het moes hulle net hul reisstories met ons kom deel. Ons het elke dag reggestaan om van hulp te wees met inligting vir jong skoolkinders wat eendag op passasierskepe wil gaan werk, tot jongmense wat droom oor hul ideale wittebrood en vakansie of 'n bootreis op die Sinfonia!! Dit alles het dit die moeite werd gemaak om elke dag ons stalletjie met trosts te beman.

Ons het in die pragtige Annie's Cottages gebly en heerlike etes kon geniet word by die plaaslike restaurante. Die pragtige dorpie Struisbaai was net 'n paar kilometer weg en ons kon na 'n lang dag die skilderagte plekkie besoek. Agulhas was natuurlik 'n moet en ons het ons gehaas na die mees Suidelike Punt van Afrika!! Om die aand af te sluit het die mense by Angelo's , 'n plaaslike restaurant, gesorg vir 'n heerlike ete!

Vrydag het vinnig aangebreek, dus was dit tyd vir oppak en natuurlik die einde van nog 'n megaweek.

Vyfuur het ons Bredasdorp se stof afgeskud en die pad gevat na ons tuisdorp en geliefde Paarl!

-Anneke K en Zonnette-

ZAMBEZI QUEEN - OUR VISIT JULY 2010

Below you will find all posts for our visit to the Zambezi Queen.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!!

-Marianne, Suzanne & Anneke S-

ZAMBEZI QUEEN - TIGER FISHING

Smiling now.....very sure of ourselves!!!
Marianne still relaxing , no fish yet...
Marianne trying a different approach,I mean fish love orange, right?
Gilbert getting everything ready
Trying my best....

This was a day never to forget!!! We loved it, had so much fun, the three of us didn't catch anything, but that didn't matter at all!!!

ZAMBEZI QUEEN - OUR VISIT JULY 2010

Treated with something to eat while on a game drive
Marianne on top of the game view boat- best views = best photos!
Cheers Cheers, our first game drive
On Namibian soil, stepping into the "anti-bek-en-klou-seer" water
In the jacuzzi!! What happens on ZQ, stays on ZQ!!! :-)

ZAMBEZI QUEEN - THE SUNSETS /RISE & SCENERY

No words needed here...

ZAMBEZI QUEEN - ELEPHANTS CROSSING

On one of our game views, we had the most amazing experience in seeing something happening only once a year. The elephants crossed the river to better grazing. It was an incredible sight to see where these huge animals who cannot swim, gets accross the river. The little one's they keep in the middle , almost carrying them accross. Gilbert told us that the elephants cannot really swim, they go down and "jump" up again, and you only see the trunks coming up for air! What was beautiful to me was when they got to the other end, the bigger ones would wait till the babies are safe on dry land, helping them with the trunks and loud noises. Also the older ones are helped and waited for, and no one leaves without all the members being there. I think we can learn a lot from animals . From caring for each other, disciplining the children, and caring for the elders.

ZAMBEZI QUEEN - OUR VISIT- THE BOMA LUNCH

Marianne taking a little nap, was a very lazy day!
Suzanne getting served!
the tents the bar, made from a cano
the tents, made from colourful material