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!!

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!

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

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!!

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! 

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!

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.

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

I have combined this newsletter, as time has run away with me, as thankfully I have been busy with tours for the last couple of months. I am truly grateful to those of you who have sent me business in this climate of fiscal fallout.

I love classical music and am currently listening to Vivaldi’s Four Season’s, which is pertinent due the heading of my newsletter. This will be followed by my favourite – Tchaikovsky! This gives me inspiration to write and love life. Some exciting things, besides the weather heading to “my season” I like it hot, I cannot take cold. I grew up in the town which has the second best weather in the world – Mossel Bay – with sunshine 350 days a year, so I am a sunshine person.

So what are the new tour all about – new tours included in our line-up in the new season – more animals and more people! What is this woman going on about I am sure you are asking yourself.

ANIMALS – Tenikwa in the Crags on the Garden Route of South Africa, where Len & Mandy opened their arms to animals in need of help, love and rescued some that would otherwise have died. They have many of the small cats we never see on a “safari” as they often nocturnal, shy or both. They have some never even heard of generally – Black Footed Cats, Caracal, Wild Cats, Serval and off course the most endangered of all the Cheetah. They also have birds – our national bird the Blue Crane and Malibu Storks – the undertakers. This is really worth a visit to support their amazing work. They also do pro-deo work with the local communities animals where possible and where funds allow. A worthy cause and wonderful place to visit, they also go the extra mile to ensure that my special guests get the most out of the experience.

PEOPLE – Meet the People – in Mossel Bay, a young man by the name of Jackie Viljoen, had a vision to help people with hidden talent to promote themselves with a tour with a difference, not a township tour, but a tour where these people could be exposed to visitors to the town who could be a source of “spreading the word” about their talents and how they are trying to help themselves rather than rely on help from government etc; I have written before about Janneman who has now sadly passed away. He did leather work in the form of hand stitched bags etc; he was in a wheelchair after a motor vehicle accident. I was very upset by his untimely death, as he was about my age – far too young to die. I still want to be a granny and enjoy many years of grandchildren. I will now also never get to buy that special pink ostrich leather bag he was going to make me when he could get the leather – sad indeed.

BUT on a brighter note, there are still others who we meet:
Cecile, who makes a foot balm and face crème from herbs she grows in her garden in Grootbrak and also serves a tea made from ingredients in her garden – refreshing hot or cold – she explains how herbs can relax and pamper you.

Then Hein Munroe, whose family have been diving for Oysters for 7+ generations. The beach where I used to dive for oysters as a child – Munroes beach – named after his family who lived there in the Cape Dutch style cottages, now part of the Dias Museum complex. Hein explain how this is done and how oysters are rich in calcium. Between the oysters and my mothers daily calcium pills fed to me, I have very hard and VERY heavy bones for which I am grateful no osteoporosis, so living in Mossel Bay did me a world of good as a child.

We continue the tour to a coffee roastary in Voorbaai where we meet Barruch who also explain the process. Then to the “township” area to meet a few other people, we met Patrick this past weekend. He is a man who is also a wheelchair user that works with leather like Janneman did, he also is a cobbler of sorts, in that he repairs shoes. His story is a real one of dragging himself up from the depths of despair, to be what he is today, a person with conviction to make the best of his life and push his boundaries in sport. Beside the leather work he is participating in various sports, such as wheelchair racing, shot-put, discus and more, for this he needs specialised wheelchairs. He has got old ones handed down from other competitors, but needs new to be the best he can be for getting his times to qualify for the Olympics – his dream – in London in 2012.

Any one who has contacts or can sponsor this, please contact me, whether you are in South Africa or overseas, we will make a plan to get any chairs donated to him and get publicity for you in this regard.

So all these people we meet all have a story to tell and worthwhile a stop and listen, engage with them and come away with a happy feeling of having met very special people. The tourism ad for Mossel Bay is – “no hurry – no worries.” A ‘must-do” stop!

Pam Taylor
Flamingo Tours

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.

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

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!

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

Toyota’s system, developed in a collaboration with researchers in Japan, is among the fastest in the world in analysing brain waves, it said in a release on Monday.

Past systems required several seconds to read brain waves, but the new technology requires only 125 milliseconds – or 125 thousandths of a second.

The person in the wheelchair wears a cap that can read brain signals, which are relayed to a brain scan electroencephalograph, or EEG, on the electrically powered wheelchair, and then analysed in a computer program.

Research into mobility is part of Toyota’s larger strategy to go beyond automobiles in helping people get around in new ways.

The new system allows the person on the wheelchair to turn left or right and go forward, almost instantly, according to researchers.

Coming to a stop still requires more than a thought. The person in the wheelchair must puff up a cheek, which is picked up in a detector worn on the face.

Japanese rival Honda Motor Co is also working on a system to connect the monitoring of brain waves with mechanical moves.

Earlier this year, Honda showed a video that had a person wearing a helmet sitting still but thinking about moving his right hand. The thought was picked up by cords attached to his head inside the helmet. After several seconds, Honda’s boy-shaped robot Asimo, programmed to respond to brain signals, lifted its right arm.

Neither Honda nor Toyota said it had any plans to turn the technology into a product for commercial sale as each said they are still developing the research.

- AP

Article found at www.News24.com

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.

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.

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

How time flies, I can hardly believe the end of February is upon us – so soon. I have hardly got over the Festive Season. The weather here is hot,33°C yesterday, but the downside is that the Western Cape, being a winter rainfall area is experiencing bush fires everywhere and often more than a dozen at one time, stretching our fire fighters to their limits. Recently the newspaper headlines read – 90 fires in one day. So our sympathy goes out to those who have lost family, friends animals and their properties, especially in OZ. I know I have family there that I have never met, as my great grandfather Robert Stephens went to Oz as a child from the UK and ended up in SA many years later, when the captain of the ship they were travelling on, put him and his family off in Cape Town due to illness on board the ship. So they never went back and my grandfather Sydney Stephens was born here the youngest of 7 children back in 1904. So we are what I call international people, with family connections in UK & OZ. So if you know any people with the surname Stephens (like the Ink) let me know. I want to start a family tree. From fires to family trees Oh! today Friday the 13th, my mind wonders…. Hope none of you are tridecaphobic!

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ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

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 – SOUTH AFRICA 11 JUNE – 11 JULY 2010

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!

PAM

PS! For our cruise pics go to my FACEBOOK site!

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.

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!

Public information sessions on the proposed GRNP – one of only three in the world where residents live within the borders of the park – will start in January, it said in a statement.

The new park would comprise the currently proclaimed Tsitsikamma and Wilderness national parks, the Knysna National Lake Area, the southern Cape indigenous forests and the associated fynbos mountain catchment areas.

“The geographical diversity of these various areas makes for an exceptional conservation model,” SANParks said.

“There will be no other national park in South Africa that will include the unique combination of marine, coastal, lakes, indigenous forests and mountain catchment areas.

“The national park will also not have any additional entrance gates and fences erected to mark its boundaries other than those already in place at the various camps.

“Our distinctive economic drive will be ‘conservation without boundaries’ in the landscape, unlike in other parks with fenced boundaries.”

Following last month’s publication of the proposal to proclaim the GRNP, there was a statutory 60 days for public comment on its establishment.

“Once the 60-day period has expired, and pending public comments to the minister, the proclamation will follow.

“We hope that the new national park will be a reality by Easter 2009,” SANParks said.

- SAPA

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