Flamingo Adventure Tours » Articles

SUSTAINABLE “RHINO HORN” + DEALING WITH POACHERS

Pam — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:22:06 +0000

When reading the letter page in The Argus, our local evening newspaper, often I get to thinking about certain issues that make most decent people’s blood boil. Poaching of Rhino’s is one of them. When you have encountered these magnificent animals in the wild, only cowards could kill them.

Then when I find I cannot sleep all these ideas and thoughts come to mind. How to make Rhino horn sustainable and deal with poachers all in one go. Well there are things Judge Dennis Davis and his colleagues should think about about.

Poachers – actually all criminals alike - especially child molesters and rapists – send them all for an “orchidectomy” and have them go to First floor New Somerset Hospital, where they killed my father, the word will get out that you never come out of that ward alive, so the numbers of criminal will decline overnight.

Then Angels tap me on the shoulder and tell me that these dark thoughts make me almost as bad as the criminal itself and they then give me ideas for sustainable rhino horn, but no ideas of dealing with the criminals, so here is the advise for the horns, but await the ideas still for the criminals and poachers. I still feel that what I have said above is still good, in a bad way. Or if you have watched the movie – Hunted – do that to all these criminals, but do not pay them!! The person who, in The Argus last week wrote, that all criminals should go into old age homes and all elderly should go to prison – these thoughts come from that same mind set – we have had enough – someone needs to do something – come on Judge Dennis Davis!!

The horn replacement – overwhelming the market with this, that will make it impossible for “them” to know the difference, will make sure that my great, great grandchildren will still see rhino’s when they grow up, – it is also a money making spinner for the poor – everyone save all your finger and toe nail cuttings, keep them until you have 500g, then sell it to a entrepreneur. Every hairdresser, instead of throwing away all that hair you cut daily, put it special bins and sell that to these same entrepreneurs and they process these two items together – well why not – all that the Rhino horn is, is compressed hair – keratin – so the processing of hair and nails and you will have a good sustainable product of equivalent “stuff”. Flood the market and save the Rhino!! Who agrees with me??

A NEW AND “OTHER” DIRECTION – TOURS FOR WOMEN – single or otherwise!

Pam — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:05:14 +0000

Often I have been asked about touring for a single person who cannot find mates to travel with and usually that is VERY expensive and not easy to afford or do,

SO, after a nice lady from Ireland, who is coming here for a wedding, who could not find anyone to do a Garden Route tour to her dates, I decided that we cannot let this happen. She wants to see this stunning country, so why not, reduce the cost and accommodate her requirements. So this is how we got (are getting) into – TOURS FOR SINGLES – WOMEN ONLY.

This does not mean that we will only take 1 person, no it means friends can travel together as well, we will suit your dates and design a trip with your interests in mind and make it a holiday of a lifetime. If you are in a wheelchair or not, we will do these tours – LADIES ONLY, but if you want your husband, son, nephew etc; on YOUR TOUR, that is not problem either!! We suit all tastes and needs.

This unique type of touring is bespoke so you decide when and where and we do the rest!!

Any interesting new idea. I suppose now the idea will be “stolen” as all my ideas are, but one day that will be not PC, I await the day!!

Talk to me people – I will open this one up for comment!!

NEWSLETTER – JANUARY 2011 – SHORT & SWEET!

Pam — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:49:34 +0000

Hello from Cape Town the most beautiful city in the world, where we are having lovely summer weather, windy at times, but that is expected when the Cape Doctor blows at this time of the year, with temperatures ranging from high 20′s – high 30′s and into the interior of the Western Cape into the mid 40′s. Yes that is C not F.

We are only winter rainfall area in country, so while the wind blows here in Cape Town at gale force, the rest of the country are feeling like webbed feet are growing, as it is raining and raining and yes raining for 2 months already, with 27 municipalities declared disaster areas, over 7 of our 9 provinces.

So what’s new, it is flooding in OZ, Sri Lanka, Philippines and mud slides due to excessive rain in Brazil. + Snow mostly elsewhere ….

This then makes Cape Town and ideal venue to visit at this time of the year. Scenic, diverse, multi-cultural, excellent weather, I could go on and on with these beautiful adjectives, but jokes aside, many places have discounted their accommodation – hugely – and so our prices have fallen as well.

This will not last, so take the opportunity to get these bargains now. These lowered prices are valid until end March 2011. “Negotiation” is the watch word these days.

So while we enjoy the long summer days, with perfect sunsets and long evenings, having that sundowner with Table Mountain as a backdrop, think about it, YOU TOO could be enjoying that long cool Telquila Sunrise and sunset in Cape Town.

We are waiting … to entertain you!

WORLD RHINO DAY 22 SEPT

Pam — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:25:22 +0000

Today is WORLD RHINO DAY – 22nd SEPT 2010. it is with sadness that I write this, shame as well, as South Africans have been caught killing and poaching Rhino Horns in our National Parks. I am also very angry at these men, as they are professional people who should know better and have done this for greed alone! MONEY the scourge of society. So far 2 vets, a game ranger and others have been involved. I hope the vets are struck from their professional register and that the game ranger is never given an opportunity to work in the industry again. BLACK LIST them. Also NAME & SHAME then.
I believe in COMMUNITY work for all offenders, none of this sitting around watching TV, getting 3 meals a day and a warm bed, while the poor are suffering out there. Get them to work to build houses, make bricks, do woodwork for making the furniture to go into these houses.

Or as my Dad would say send them to the KAROO, to live in open jails. Cold in winter and very hot in summer. Or as the Sheriff in one USA state did have an open jail and make then all wear a colour they hate. They have disgraced our rainbow nation, how about rainbow colours, mostly the pinkish shades.

Now back to the RHINO which is what it is all about. Please educate kids and people that the horns of a RHINO are made from the same substance your nails are made from – SO GO CHEW YOUR OWN NAILS – those of the world that think that RHINO HORN is an aphrodisiac – you really have your head up your …..

But really, what idiot takes what is equivalent to nail shavings, grinds it up and drinks it to get it up – OH PLEASE get real and save these magnificent creatures from extinction.

STOP THE KILLING OF RHINO
STOP THE SELLING OF THE HORNS
DO YOUR PART
BE REAL MEN,
NOT SISSIES
STOP KILLING OUR WILDLIFE

VERY PROUD TO BE SOUTH AFRICAN

Pam — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:55:43 +0000

Last night the world watched the showcase of the final World Cup Soccer as it came to an end, with much applause and ceremony, fire works blazing and the Spanish in seventh heaven, the Netherlands (my team) devastated, it was still, no matter the emotions, an incredible 31 days.

The “gees”, meaning enthusiasm, spirit of the game and everything South African, was a uniting factor. All our “woes” were put aside for these past 31 days. We smiled, laughed and sang, also shouted with glee and upset as the 64 games passed at such lightening speed. The world who thought we could not never pull this off are sitting back is disbelief with a little embarrassment of how could AFRICA do this and do it so well.

Well we did, with encouragement, dignity and pride, we showed the world this is AFRICA, we waved our flags, sang the songs and truly a tremendous time was had by all. This is AFRICA” S time just like the opening song said.

Some fools tried their luck and did stupid things, like set up a guy to go into the English teams locker room. Well Simon, your press pass and all your future media work should be barred from publishing and you should be disbarred from any work as a journalist ever again. Shame on you. I think your Mother would be ashamed of your antics.

Despite these “short-sighted” people pulling stunts, generally South Africa, every citizen did us proud and our President Jacob Zuma even thanked us all for our hospitality, for which this country is famous, now given a new name – swop hospitality for – GEES. Pronounced with a gutral G in the back of the throat!!!

So come see what all these supporters felt and saw in this diverse beautiful rainbow nation – as the song says – WHAKA WHAKA eh eh!!

PRE & POST TOURS – WORLD CUP 2010

Pam — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:38:13 +0000

From the prices I have received, thank goodness I was sitting down when I read those e-mails, things are rather pricey for the Soccer 2010. So with a lot of thought and ideas rushing through my head, I have decided that I am NOT going to rip-off any potential guests and offer PRE & POST tours to see this beautiful diverse and scenically stunning country of SA, especially the Cape Town area and the Garden Route with Malaria-Free game safaris to 5 star private reserve of Shamwari in the Eastern Cape. They do have the BIG 5! I have seen them there often – Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, black & white!

We will be offering tours from early June until day before match day, which is 11th June and then again from 20th July.

13 – 14 days or parts of this itinerary – 4 nights Cape Town, 3 nights Garden Route, 2 nights Safari, another 2 nights in Garden Route area then a night back in Cape Town or Hermanus for big 6 – Whale watching, then home.

You can see the itineraries on my website – www.flamingotours.co.za

As each tour is personalised to your requirements, we do not have schedule tours or listed prices, each tour is designed to suit your interests and ability. so contact us and we can arrange this JUST FOR YOU!

: BIG 7 – CHEETAH

This is the most endangered big CAT in Africa – the CHEETAH!

DISABILITY IS NOT INABILITY!

Pam — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:42:10 +0000

Who says having a disability makes you unable to do things!! They are totally wrong!! Recently I had a GENTLEMAN on tour, who had the largest and heaviest wheelchair I have ever had to deal with – 300kg = 66Olbs but we did a whole tour – safari and all! Many hours of negotiations went on before we decided it could be done, with a smile, some compromise and removal of only one bathroom door – we did a African Adventure Tour for him, his partner and his carer. I worried about getting through doorways with this very long 1.3m long (52inch) and 800mm wide (32inch)plus a height of 1.45m (58inch). We managed and managed well. To all those accommodation venues and attractions that went out of their way to make this trip a reality – I salute you!

Thank you for all your efforts and help with this tour !!

and Michael thank you for your patience, understanding about my nervousness in making your tour the best it could be with what we have to work with within this mysterious, wonderful country of South Africa.

So when you think that you cannot do this -

MICHAEL HIS LARGE CHAIR AT PENGUIN COLONY CAPE TOWN

He did – enjoyed and disability DOES NOT MEAN you cannot do it!

Cape Town in list of top 10 of world’s best party cities

Jason — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:25:29 +0000

The Lonely Planet lists the world’s top 10 party cities in its new guide, the “1000 Ultimate Experiences” and Cape Town appears 7th on the list.

7. Cape Town, South Africa
With the 2010 World Cup bringing a global audience to South Africa, the partying will only get harder as travelers converge on a city already well known for nightlife. Luxuriate on some of the world’s best beaches by day and kick back under the moonlight at suave cocktail bars by night. Two hours east, in the Indian Ocean, lies the elegant beach village of Mossel Bay, with more great beaches and chic flair. Visitors must try some of the wines crafted by South Africa’s world-renowned vintners, either at a Cape Town bar or at one of several wineries nearby.

Cape Town voted 2nd favourite overseas city

Jason — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:30:07 +0000

Airlines, tour operators and hoteliers faced huge challenges this year with a “perfect storm” of recession and a slump in sterling making holidays more expensive at a time when people could least afford them. Despite this, however, many companies not only survived but thrived. Holidays are still regarded as top priorities for many, surveys show.

Certainly the number of readers taking part in this years Guardian, Observer and guardian.co.uk Travel Awards survey seems to show no loss of appetite for holidays — 19,248 gave their views this year, up from 17,000 last year.

Favourite overseas city

Sydney keeps the crown it took from Hong Kong last year. Cape Town, bracing itself for next year’s invasion of Soccer World Cup football fans, leaps up five places to No 2.

· Top five: 1. Sydney 2. Cape Town, South Africa 3. New York 4. San Francisco 5. Berlin

Other categories mentioned in the article are:
Favourite UK city
Favourite long-haul country
Favourite European country
Best UK hotel
Best overseas hotel
Favourite UK tourist attraction

The full list of winners announced at this year’s Guardian, Observer and guardian.co.uk Travel Awards

More Wonderful Safari’s Done!

Pam — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:10:20 +0000

I am back from a further two “safari’s” at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Malaria-Free Eastern Cape. Again the BIG 5 and more were seen. With all the wonderful food, I think I am also heavier! Even though I watched what I ate the food is excellent! They even made me special wheat =free bread without me asking for it, they remembered from previous visits – that is how good the personal service is.

Another visit – Tenikwa and Meet the People tour – also excellent service and the animal encounters are excellent and meeting the people in Mossel Bay also a unique experience.

Cango wildlife ranch also a favourite with service above the usual standard from their excellent guides there.

Spring Flowers – off to see the wild flowers that “decorate” the West Coast of SA at this time of the year. Wait for the next blog to see these fantastic photos. Talk with you all next week.

Best “Safari” in 28 years of visiting Africa

Pam — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:53:22 +0000

I have just returned from a tour of 13 days, of which 7 days was a game viewing “safari” in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, at Addo National Elephant Park and Shamwari private game reserve, with 4 people, of whom one young man of 22 was a wheelchair user.

We set off from Cape Town through to the Garden Route via the R62, the longest wine route in the world, overnighting in Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich capital of the country. Here we visited the Cango Wildlife Ranch, where they have a breeding programme for the endangered Cheetah. They also have White Lion, White Bengal Tigers and many more very interesting animals and birds, many endangered such as the Cape Vulture.

We then visited the Safari Ostrich farm, for a tour and lunch ( no potatoes!!). Afterwards we then headed to the coastal area over the Outeniqua pass to Knysna for a night. This is where the real adventure began, with sightings of Elephant, Buffalo and Warthog. Yes we saw 2 of the 6 Lion, a female that decided she liked the look of us staring at her from a koppie and decided to walk back up the hill, so back into the car – fast – and then tried to follow her, but she slunk off into the thick Spekboom vegetation fast.

The next morning the sunrise was beautiful and as I was taking a photo of it, I heard a roar, Keith shouted he’s walking at about 200m direction 12 o’clock from the guest house that overlooked a waterhole and low and behold what a beautiful male Lion. More of this was on the cards over this very lucky spell.

We arrived at Shamwari and in the first game drive of the evening, we followed a male Cheetah on the hunt. This happened a few times. We also followed a female with 2 cubs a few times over the 8 game drives we did. The Elephant encounters were also special, with the young bulls really play fighting a lot. Other sightings included a herd of Elephant and a White Rhino with calf, which were in the same location as the Elephant.

In the mix

We also encountered that same White Rhino with calf who had rolled in the red sand with a Black Rhino who was totally out in the open, who took a dip in a very small mud pool. We managed to get a photo of both types of Rhino together – another first for the rangers.

So many firsts for seasoned rangers on this trip the angles were really smiling down on us. And so it went on with one special encounter after the other. A Lioness with 2 cubs of about 6 months, was not happy with the males advances, and tore a strip off him by growling and chasing him. He tried to block her wanting to leave, but she chased him with lots of growling and roaring – a sight I tried to video but was shaking too with excitement.

More Lion encounters, chasing the Male cheetah out of their territory. I can almost write a book about these 4 days at this private game reserve. Well, the verdict at the end of the tour was – after having visited most of the Sub Saharan countries of Africa over 28 years and doing many game encounters, this was by far the best ever experience for Keith, Liz & Tom. Seb enjoyed his first visit and I am sure he will be back, as I am sure the Somerville’s will be.

Keep reading and I hope to set up a photo gallery for these magnificent safaris we do in MALARIA-FREE area – Cheers for now – Pam Taylor.

Lioness one of many seen

“Meet the People” star – Meets his maker

Pam — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:09:33 +0000

It is with great sadness that the STAR of the tour we do in Mossel Bay – “Meet the People” – Pride versus Poverty style township tour – Janneman passed away last month. I was so shocked to hear this as I think he was not much older than me.

Janneman was a wheelchair user that was such a success story of achievement through gaining self worth and understanding his ability rather than his disability. Janneman made hand stitched leather handbags.

It all started about 5 years ago, when Jackie Viljoen met this sad, shy man who did not understand he had talent to make his future more comfortable and find his self esteem and his pride. With a lot of encouragement he found all of this and I became very fond of this gentle-man – emphasis on gentle. From first meeting him where he would not look in the eye, because his disability literally got in the way. He thought that because he was in a wheelchair he was useless, no one in a wheelchair is useless, but it takes time to find that wealth within that strong essense of life that when found spring out and brings joy to all who meet the person. Janneman came out of this shell so much I could not wait to see how he had “grown” each time we visited with overseas guests. Most said he was the highlight of the tour.

So now what?? His passing has left this huge chasm that will never be filled in the way Janneman made eveyone feel so humbled. He will be sorely missed by all knew him. Our condolences to his family and friends. Pam Taylor – Flamingo Tours.

- JANNEMAN – THE STAR OF THE SHOW!

PHOTO’S

Pam — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:23:49 +0000

Winter in Cape Town – A Mix of All Seasons

Pam — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:57:23 +0000

Winter in Cape Town is a real mix of all seasons. Over the past few weeks we have had the old – Cape of Storms – the Mother City showing her ferocity, this week, now that the British & Irish Lions Rugby fans are leaving, she is all sugar and sweetness with beautiful 22°c bathing us in sunshine and warmth.

Table Mountain on Sunday was bliss with strange mistiness ebbing and flowing around the base of the mountain and across to Lions head and Signal hill making for spectacular scenery. Many people hiking up the many pathways or taking the cable car as we did, with my guests from Canada.

Kirstenbosch botanical gardens was just as relaxing and beautiful with so many of our protea flowers starting to bloom. Yesterday was early morning showers and cleared as we progressed down the Peninsula to Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. Lunch on the patio at Two oceans Restaurant at Cape Point was magical with the sun shining and the mistiness clearing across the bay to show the huge size of False Bay. The Chacma baboons were out and about playing the road leaving the reserve. One had caused havoc in Scarborough emptying a wheely bin everywhere and then looking for more mischief to do.

Today 19°C sunny and warm so our winter’s here in Cape Town are mild and lovely compared to winter’s say in Canada where my guests come from, so visit us, take the opportunity to travel at low season rates and still have reasonably good weather.

Until next time. Cheers! Pam Taylor

Cape of Storms – Rugby in the Rain

Pam — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:58:57 +0000

The recent spate of storms that hit Cape Town and the Western Cape have reaked havoc here, but in spite of all that, we still went on tour with guests in wheelchairs in rain, sun and to the rugby! At the rugby match – Emerging Springboks versus the British & Irish Lions, it rained it was freezing and generally a good time was had by all visitors to this beautiful country – no matter the weather!

John from the Rugby Museum, next to the Newlands stadium, very kindly arranged accessible undercover parking for us, so we did not have to walk for miles in the inclemant weather to get back to our adapted transport.

The game itself was exciting with SA on the back foot for most of the game until the final couple of minutes when the Emerging Springboks came off that back foot to equalise the score 13 ALL. It was really a good match.

I think that the Newlands grounds needs a cover like Wimbledon that can move over in the rain or do you wheelchair rugby crowd feel that rain is part of the whole package? I leave my story there for the moment, until next time!

Enjoy the rest of the rugger the final test will be a a good one even though we have already won the series.

Flamingo Cares

Pam — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:24:53 +0000

From the Indaba News of May 2009 – Flamingo Tours is proud of its commitment to accommodate disabled travelers who have the fullest right to enjoy traveling. Owner Pam Taylor personalised their services around clients; specific needs, offering adapted vehicles to take wheelchairs with equipment approved by British Transport Board. Vehicles include midi coaches for larger groups that can transport up to five wheelchairs. Pam is a registered nurse.

Tours for the deaf and hard of hearing are part of the portfolio and travelers are accommodated with sign language.

As personal attention is important, the package includes pre-tour briefings to ensure that attention is given to personal interests, needs, age group and physical ability.

Inclusive Tourism for All

Jason — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:24:07 +0000

Inclusive Tourism for ALL guests, not only those who have a disability, has been my idea of how I would like to work for some years now, but did not quite have the words – Inclusive – which is now the new watch word. I just had – tourism for all guests – which did not have the same impact.

About 6 years ago I went and did a sign language course and then a few months later followed that with an advanced course, but my signing still stinks. I think I can manage a meager conversation. My problem is that I know what I want to say more or less, but cannot follow others conversation easily – practice , practice & more practice is required on my part. I tried to sell this concept of tours for guests with hearing impairments about 6 years ago at our largest Trade show in Africa, but no one was interested at all. A friend who is deaf – Pierre – even went to study to become a tour guide so that we could work together and poor guy waited for tours, from other sources as well as myself – nothing – zilch – neto – so what did he do – start a small company for himself- good for him – but sad loss to the guiding fraternity!!

If you have friends, clients, guests who want a wonderful tour of this dynamic land of South Africa, contact us, and let us put a wonderful tour together for you. Last year I did a tour for guests that were blind and we had a really fantastic time so much so that one of those guests e-mails me daily to just to say Hi and thanks. What a rewarding job I do, I want to show off my country – so come and let me achieve my goal.

Pam Stephens Taylor. Cape Town South Africa

Economic Downturn

Jason — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:06:30 +0000

During this world recession, how can we think out of the box? As everyone is in the same box, we need to be ahead of the pack and therefore, being pioneers in our field in South Africa, just gone 14 years in business, we have always strived to do things differently and have our customer care our very top priority. We therefore do not have scheduled tours and also do not have printed brochures with set dates, so our guests always have the freedom to choose their time of travel and destination and design their own tour, which is all part of the excitement around going on holiday, the anticipation leading up to the journey is always very exciting and everyone is eager and wonder what it will be like.

So for the guests who are anticipating a holiday this year or early next year, plan now for your land travel. I went on cruise with family to Luderitz Namibia last week and the ship was half full, must tell you that with cruise ships, wait until the last moment to book, if you have the freedom to take a break at will, as we paid more for an inner cabin booking early, than my family – brother-in-law and cousin and their spouses, whom I booked late did and they had outer cabins with large portholes, also I did not receive any comm from their bookings!!! I asked for an upgrade, the ship being half full and an agent and was told by their management in Johannesburg, that I could not get the upgrade I wanted, so my advise about cruises is – if you are thinking of going on one – wait for the specials, as they have schedules to keep, you will save a good R1000+.

This was not very good managerial skills in my book, but then I think laterally and not like most tour operators or agents, as I feel my type of service does not fall within the mainstream thinking of the general theme of travel. So, in this time of having to be different to stay ahead, I will remain schedule(less) and brochures (less) and keep my private personalised itineraries to suit my guests and their interests and “ability”. We will overcome this if we all work together and have the guests interests at heart and not the $$$ in mind.

2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa 11 June – 11 July 2010

Jason — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:00:17 +0000

I would please like some feedback from anyone who receives this newsletter on your feelings regarding this “show” next year and if you have any interest in watching any games, being part of a tour just being here during this “excitement” or are you wanting to keep well away from the madding crowd and travel at another time. Let’s hear from you!

Why I am asking this is that accommodation is already at a premium and ticket sales for matches have opened. For this one I think it is get in sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.

I also need to know if I should take FLAMINGO TOURS & DISABLED VENTURES on holiday, in other words close for a month or wait around in case there is a demand for our unique services.

There is the Lions Rugby this June – so for any Rugby fans – contact me NOW!

Well, from Jeff and myself we wish you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day tomorrow and for those who are unhappy that we going to have another Friday 13th next month and in November – chill – tomorrow the 14th comes all too soon!

BIG HUGS, PEACE & LOVE from a stunning day in Cape Town – the most beautiful city in the world and on the new World Monopoly!

“Sign Language” Tours

Carey — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:27:40 +0000

Exciting new places and things to do

Carey — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:37:26 +0000

On recent trip to check out a few places down the Garden Route, we found a new attraction in the form of a “Small Cats Sanctuary” – TENIKWA – where you can get close and failry personal with animals like the smaller cats, those you do not see when doing a Safari, as many of them are the shy ones, nocturnal ones or those seldom seen at all. Caracal (lynx),with their tufted ears and redish fur, Wild Cat – that looks like house cats, but are far from that. Black footed cat, that are beautiful, ferocious and almost never seen. Cerval that are long legged and small bodied. The other highlight is the boardwalk above the new Meerkat enclosure, where you can see these fascinating animals in their natural environment. You can also get very close to our National Bird – the blue Crane. I sat having coffee stroking this birds feather – first for me!! The undertakers of the veld – the Maribu Stork was also a close encounter and a first for me on being so close. There are also hand reared Cheetah at this sanctuary that are loved and looked after by Len and Mandy who loves these animals so much it shows in the way the animals respond back to them.
HOW MUCH MORE RELAXED CAN THIS CARACAL (Lynx) BE???

New addition to the “Fleet”

Carey — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:29:53 +0000

ADAPTED VEHICLE FOR SELF-DRIVE CAPE TOWN ONLY

I have just bought a VW T4. We have also changed our insurers, so that we can allow able bodied driver without a PDP , but with an International Driver’s licence to drive it. There are however some restrictions as to how it is hired out. We are not a car hire company, but a tour operator with a different view of how we do business. One size fits all – is NOT how we prefer to arrange our tours. This is only for our guests to hire personally for their holiday here. Collect and drop off in Cape Town only. This T4 will be available from December 2008, if we do not have a confirmed res for that vehicle for our tours.

Now for the weather

Carey — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:28:15 +0000

Well the frog feet we grew in the Cape over the winter, are receding nicely thank you. With SO MUCH rain and so much snow on the surrounding mountains, we all felt as if we needed frog feet just to get by each day in the rain and rain and rain. As we are the only winter rainfall – May – September – area in the country here in the Western Cape, I am glad it is now October. Our dams are overflowing, but we still have water restrictions to curb the wasteful excess use, so use that hotel towel an extra day and save the environment. Many hotels in Cape Town are going “GREEN” and making a concerted effort to leave a smaller footprint or environmental disaster for our children to clean up. Keeping it in the “GREEN|” theme, how often have you thought about FROGS ! Yes, frogs! They are one of the most endangered species on the planet. So much so that our local TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM are opening a special frog section in their eco area to create awareness. So go kiss a frog next time you see one, it will of course not turn into a prince, but you will be the prince or princess, even maybe King and Queen, for just being frog friendly.

More accessible accommodation

Carey — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:25:42 +0000

A few more accommodation venues have decided to go “accessible” and have roll-in showers! Our choice is now a slightly wider in some areas, but we are still not seeing the changes in Knysna and Mossel Bay in the Garden route ! Come guys, it is not “no hurry, no worries” I am worried and also in a hurry to get your towns up to speed with more options for our guests. Louis H and JJ, when can I stop nagging???!! Call me for SABS specs for altering your property! Or call me to get the Quad Ass details and Tourism grading council details, who can offer advise! So well done to Ora and her parents at Villa Ora in the Klein Karoo and Shamwari game reserve in the Eastern Cape, have added a room at another lodge – my guests test shower next week! When do we get more private game reserves in Western & Eastern Cape doing the same?? My wish is that all architectural students “try” a wheelchair for a 24 hour period only – not the rest of their life, like most of my guests – and then write down exactly how they felt and what they encountered in that “SHORT” period, they will never design another room with steps into showers and tight turns again! So if you know of students doing design courses get them to contact me I will even lend them a wheelchair if they are in Cape Town. The next challenge is for them to blindfold themselves and put ear plugs in their ears – WOW are they in for a shock at how “unkind” the world is. A friend of mine has had a number of strokes – Maisey – with many hours of physio she can now walk short distances, so when out celebrating this “achievement” at a local restaurant, she decided to walk to the “Little Girl’s Room” on this route, with her gait a bit shaky and wobbly, but managing really well compared to previously, she overheard some real nice people saying, “look how drunk she is”. I am sure many of you that are differently challenged, have heard cruel things like that said before. Maisey did not say a word. I would not have been such a lady !! Come to the party guys!! It is the 21st century but some places are still living in the really dark ages when it comes to accessibility. OK I will get off my hobby horse!

New accommodation

Carey — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:41:24 +0000

I have a few new ones that I checked out last month. After years of “nagging” our bestman Dennis Jenkinson in Port Elizabeth, he and his wife Sandy, have adapted one of the rooms in their guest houses and built in a roll-in shower and grab rails. The room has an added bonus of having a kitchenette for a bit of self-catering. WELL DONE – at last! Thanks Den

In the Klein Karoo capital town of Oudtshoorn, we have found another gem and have a new guest house option there as well, with charming hosts and luxury interior and one adatepd room. This is my secret find!

Our usual stop at the Farm near Heidelberg, Anné-Lize and Neels, are also adding another adapted room on as we speak, so that they will soon have 2 adapted rooms on the Guest Farm.

So strides are being made in the smaller venue accommodation industry, who are showing up the big boys in the industry, in how to make a REAL difference to our guests with special needs -

WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!!