Portfolio Collection Travel Blog

BOOK REVIEW Kitchen Casualties

2010-03-12

Kitchen Casualties by Willemien de Villiers is a beautifully written story, set in two regions of the Western Cape (False Bay and McGregor). While parts of the past are remembered and re-told by all 4 main characters (4 generations of women in one family) - the tale itself takes place in one day. The family are preparing for a farewell dinner for Morgan, the youngest of the four women, who is about to leave for Scotland.

Each of the older 3 women carry parts of a dark family secret within them - the victim, the denier and the silent witness. As the day progresses with the characters busy - taking a solo walk on a beach, shopping, baking and trawling through the debris of a life almost over - the reader slowly unravels the story, often not sure what is real and what is imagined. Ultimately, the secret is exposed and a sort of resolution occurs.

What makes this book memorable is the style of de Villier's meticulously crafted prose - it is organic; a blend of weaving and cooking, building and collecting, weeding and discovering. Themes used in the telling of the story include botany, entimology, dry walling, translation, poetry, photography and of course food.

I enjoyed the setting (Red Hill, Muizenberg etc are all near my own home), the use of the kitchen and food as a central theme, the very different characters and how the reader can view life through all four pairs of eyes. But the beauty of the words and sentences is what made this book special for me.

Buy the book online.

I'll be adding de Villiers' latest book, The Virgin in the Treehouse, to my 'to read' list.

Congratulations Natalie!

2010-03-12

She’s made South Africa proud again - swimming champion Natalie Du Toit won the annual Laureus Disability award earlier this week at the Laureus World Sports Awards, held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, earlier this week.

Ms du Toit continually attracts praise and acclaim, not only for her remarkable achievements in the water in both disabled and regular swimming events, but for her positive attitude.

Du Toit lost her leg in a motorcycle accident back in 2001 and has since achieved sporting success in the Olympics and Paralympics, while the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) are looking ahead with eager anticipation to her participation in the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London.

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, won the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award for the second time, while American tennis player, Serena Williams, won the women's prize.

(Image source)

Pumba Ranger Diary and Wildlife Images This Week

2010-03-11

Ranger Diary

08 March 2010

With hot temperatures being experienced over the past week, really good sightings of the breeding herd of elephants have been had; of them swimming in front of Pumba Lodge and Hills dam.

The White Rhinoceros movements have changed in a way that they are no longer predictable, with them moving between the two lodges, entertaining guests with territorial behavior from the two males as well as great interaction between the two female Rhinoceros calves.

The male lions have been observed on two occasions digging out warthog from their holes. This is clear emphasis that Lions have time on their hands, particularly when finding food. There is always this misunderstanding, that Lion are reliant on Lionesses for food, though this is not the case.

It has been noted that the prides are very reliant on the presence of a Lion, particularly when it comes to hunting animals, such as Buffalo, Rhinoceros, Elephant or Giraffe because of their shear weight and strength.

Prides co-operate as a team, though for selfish gain, when food is presented. At a kill dominance is the deciding factor, as well as survival of the fittest.

Eastern Cape Luxury Safari Accommodation at Pumba

In the malaria-free Eastern Cape, Pumba Private Game Reserve provides an intimate African experience never to be forgotten.

The reserve is home to Africa’s Big 5, as well as white lion, hippo, hyena, cheetah, giraffe, wild dog, antelope species and an abundant 270 bird species.

Pumba offers a variety of accommodation at luxury game lodges.

More about Pumba.

To book accommodation at Pumba please contact Portfolio Collection.

A New Home for Brutus

2010-03-11

They sent the following round to their supporters...

Finally everything is in place for us to relocate Brutus to our sanctuary.

Brutus was confiscated from a French circus and has been cared for at the Natuurhulpcentrum in Belgium, while all of his travel arrangements were being made.

Prior to his confiscation he suffered terrible abuse, he was declawed and appeared to have been brutally beaten, resulting in his jaw being broken. The break was never attended to and this has left Brutus with a malformed jaw.

Please help Brutus and contribute towards the costs associated with his relocation to our sanctuary.

How you can help:

You can make a secure online donation on our website - http://www.lionrescue.org.za/donate.htm

See previous stories of rescued lions at Drakenstein here.

All Aboard for an Awesome Road Trip Round SA

2010-03-11

Sally-Jane, or, as her friends know her, Pinkhairgirl, Andre, Scott and Yme invite you to come along on a South African journey of reflection on the past, hopes for the future, and a chance to discover the awesomeness that exists within each one of us.

Sometime an idea feels too big and too crazy to actually become a reality, we all have them, those dreams inside that we wish we had the guts to do. Well this is ours. It started as a small idea in Pinkhairgirl’s head and in sharing it with others it has grown. We hope by sharing it with you, that it will carry on growing beyond our wildest imaginings.

The Awesome Road Trip or ART as we fondly like to call it has many parts all very diverse but linked by the people and the vision to do see and tell about the great things in our country.

Come join us on this adventure through South Africa, as we travel the highways and byways, telling the eco and technology stories that we come across. Follow us on Twitter, Friend us on Facebook. Tell us about eco initiatives, stories that are unfolding, and community projects that you know about.

Do you have a gadget or project that you’d like us to review? Visit our sponsor page to find out how you can help, and join those helping us already.

From the tech savvy in our major cities to the rural areas battling with basic connectivity, we hope that, through talking about eco and technology issues facing everyday South Africans in our country, we can inspire you to follow your dreams, and take all of South Africa with you to new heights.

At the end of the trip, a trip that is a journey of self-discovery to which there is no final conclusion, you will have learned about South Africa. The people, the places and how you yourself fit into a bigger picture, a picture that does not remain static, but shifts as timelessly as the seasons.

The ART team

!Khwa ttu Centre offers a Fascinating Glimpse into San Culture

2010-03-10

“Eleven years ago, this was a run-down cattle farm,” Michael Daiber tells me as we wander across the quiet courtyard at !Khwa ttu, the bright summer sunshine bouncing off freshly whitewashed walls. From the hilltop, the blue waters of the West Coast sparkle a few kilometres away, while the flat top of Table Mountain is just visible through the distant heat haze.

The scars of farming are still visible in the fields below, but today there’s a different crop being sown in this 850ha Western Cape nature reserve, with ecotourism providing new opportunities for one of South Africa’s most marginalised communities.

!Khwa ttu aims to open visitors’ eyes to the world of the San Bushmen, one of Africa’s oldest peoples. But this is no theme park. The emphasis is on a “tangible journey into history facilitated by the people themselves”, celebrating San culture and creating opportunities for the community.

!Khwa ttu has its beginnings in 1998, when the Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa partnered with the South African San Institute to create a tourism and training project for San people from across Southern Africa. Then in 1999 Swiss anthropologist Irene Staehelin joined the initiative, setting up the Ubuntu Foundation and buying the farm that became !Khwa ttu. Today, the project is an award-winning partnership jointly owned by the San people and Ubuntu.

“Ecotourism and training go hand in hand here,” says Daiber, the CEO of !Khwa ttu. “San people come from across Southern Africa to study and work here for a nine-month period. But it’s not about the certificates and gold lettering. Here it’s all about the real-life work experience that will allow them to find good jobs in the tourism industry.”

Men like Carlos Korokagho Munawgo.

Munawgo seems like the grandfather of !Khwa ttu. When he speaks people stop and listen. Originally from Angola, where he saw villages and tribes destroyed by civil war, Munawgo’s knowledge of plants and San customs was passed down from older generations, not studied. It’s knowledge that’s happily being tapped by the centre’s young guides.

A case in point is Ivan Vaalbooi, an enthusiastic young guide from the dry Northern Cape. With his training behind him he is now an accredited tour guide who learned many of his skills here at !Khwa ttu: “I’ve learned from Carlos. Now I have a chance to pass on some of these skills to the other San people who come to train here.”

The visitor complex boasts a country-style restaurant and a small gift shop, but the reason tourists drive up the R27 to !Khwa ttu – just under an hour from the centre of Cape Town – are the centre’s two interpretive trails.

The Hunting Trail – on foot and tractor-trailer – has long been the main attraction, introducing visitors to the way the San lived, hunted and celebrated.

Then, because they were a people who always lived in balance with nature, the recently opened Gathering Trail highlights the San’s incredible plant knowledge.

Over 150 plant species, most only found growing naturally in the dry semi-desert further north, line the easy walking trail, which is loosely divided into five broad areas.

“This wild mint is my favourite,” says Vaalbooi, leading us into the first section, which contains plants that can be used as herbal teas to cure a variety of ills. The sandy path wanders down towards plants for “women’s health”, which was of particular importance to the San during childbirth.

“You can use the stems and the leaves of the Agapanthus plant to ease the pains of childbirth,” says Vaalbooi. “But it’s very bitter, and only a very small amount is used.”

Each section has a number of helpful signboards, with photographs of the plant and explanation of their uses. Two areas cover plants used for “general Health”, with the likes of the common thorn apple and sour figs easing arthritis and sore throats respectively.

“Only one particular household in the community would know how to use all of these plants,” says Vaalbooi. “If you were sick, or you had troubles, you would come to this family to ask for help. This knowledge would then be passed down through the family.”

A plump little tsama melon gives the game away for the final stop on the short trail. “They say that this is the grandmother of the watermelon,” Vaalbooi says. “You can prepare it lots of different ways. You can roast the seeds, or eat it just plain like it is. You can also make a very nice porridge out of it … it has a very nice sour taste!”

We leave the tsama melon to ripen in the hot West Coast sun and wander back up towards the restaurant. Before settling into the hearty lunchtime menu, most visitors wander through the photo gallery, which offers a shocking look at how the San have been exploited, examined and dehumanised over the past 400 years.

Failing to recognise the subtlety of their ancient ways, Victorian explorers poked, prodded and procured the “savage” San for display around the world. The 20th century did little better, dragging them into regional conflicts – most notably in Namibia and Angola – and destroying what remained of their traditional way of life.

Today, stripped of their ancestral lands, alcoholism and unemployment threaten to wipe out the first people of Africa altogether. Which makes projects like !Khwa ttu all the more valuable. Combining ecotourism and training opportunities offers a new path for men like Munawgo and Vaalbooi.

From the restaurant I hear the clatter of cutlery as a restaurant full of happy diners makes the most of !Khwa ttu’s Sunday lunch buffet. Wines from local estates flow freely and organic vegetables from the garden make their way into the kitchen as a small army of waitresses bustle between tables. In the shop, new arrivals browse through the selection of gifts, such as ostrich-egg bracelets, handcrafted by San communities.

Those eggs would once have been used to store water for the dry months, ensuring the community’s future survival. Today, it’s inquisitive tourists – and projects like !Khwa ttu – that are providing a nest egg for San communities across Southern Africa.

By: Richard Holmes

Source: MediaClubSouthAfrica

San-guided Tours

When: Tuesdays to Sundays at 10am and 2pm
Where: !Khwa ttu is situated on the R27, some 45 minutes north of Cape Town
How Much? Adults: R220 (US$30) - Kids, Students, Pensioners: R110 ($15) - Family Special - R450 ($60) for 3 Adults, and 3 children under 12 years
More info: www.khwattu.org
Contact: +27 22 492 2998
Where to Stay: West Coast accommodation

KwaLapa - Organic, Eco-friendly and Local

2010-03-10

KwaLapa (it means 'local' in Xhosa) is situated under spreading oak trees at the MonteBello Design Centre in Newlands. The entire centre, with a working forge and and wonderful nursery, along with an array of over 20 art and craft studios and workshops, is a wonderful, peaceful place to while away an hour or two.

KwaLapa itself is an organic deli, store and 'eco-pod'.

According to their website:

"The food we prepare and sell is wholesome organic produce, but we’re looking to go beyond the obvious. We speak to those who are interested in eating healthily and living in balance with the world around them. We’re 'locavores' to the core – unless it can’t be found in the surrounds, we’ll bring to you produce from the local farmer or studio – food miles in the double digits, keeping the carbon footprint way down low. "

We enjoyed a delicious brunch - scrambled egg on toast, a tomato and feta muffin and a stack of flapjacks served with bacon, wild mushrooms and a berry coulis, plus fair-trade coffee and a pot of garden herb tea - fragrant and delectable!

Being a weekday morning, there were only squirrels playing in the children's area which comprises invitingly wonky climbing frames made of large varnished branches. Most of our fellow diners sat outside under the oaks, but even inside, the deli is built around a large tree and feels outdoorsy.

Service was relaxed and friendly, the atmosphere peaceful and pleasurable, scented with pine from the trees in the parking area.

The eco-pod is a "range of books and dvd's available in-store which speak to visitors about our role in the ecological world as both givers and consumers. "

Every day fresh organic produce is delivered to KwaLapa. See details here.

Need to Know:

Where: MonteBello Design Centre, 31 Newlands Ave, Newlands (map)
Opening Times: Monday - Saturday: 8.30am - 4.45pm. Closed on Sundays
Website: http://www.kwalapa.com/
Contact: Tel: 021 687 9314 ; email: emily@kwalapa.com

New Virtual Makaraba App on Facebook

2010-03-10

Now, the entire globe can embrace the 2010 FIFA World Cup ™ in true South African style with the latest creative Makaraba Facebook application from South African Tourism.

On the application, fanatics create their own makaraba using plastic hardhats traditionally used in the building and construction industry and decorate them with sentimental football paraphernalia.

The SA Tourism Makaraba Facebook application allows Facebook users to create their own uniquely styled makaraba, which is linked to their Facebook users profile. To do this, they simply drop in their favourite photo, choose a design and voila, they have their own unique and proudly South African Makaraba.

The basis of the makaraba starts as a simple plastic hardhat, which is personalised by cutting, crafting and moulding it into a headdress that is proudly worn to local sporting matches around the country.

With less than 100 days till kick off, many South African companies are commissioning local makaraba makers to create their own corporate Makaraba complete with their organisation’s logo and messaging in an attempt to generate additional awareness and exposure for their company.

William Price, Global Manager e-marketing from South African Tourism says “this innovative Makaraba Facebook application invites the entire globe to experience South Africa’s passion and creativity for the football game in a fun and engaging way.”

Visit http://apps.facebook.com/satourism/ to create your very own Makaraba and join South Africa in celebrating the 2010 FIFA World Cup™

SAT on the web: http://www.southafrica.net
SAT on Twitter: @GoToSouthAfrica <http://twitter.com/gotosouthafrica>

Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour Road Closures and Weather Update

2010-03-10

But first an update on the weather report for the race day:

Cape Argus Cycle Tour Weather Report

General: Partly cloudy. Cloud on the mountain.
Temp: Min 20 deg C, Max 27 deg C
Wind: SE at 45 km / hour

Source: SA Weather Service

Cape Argus Cycle Tour Road Closures

Sunday, 14th March 2010

Foreshore

Hertzog Boulevard, both carriageways between Heerengracht and Eastern Boulevard (N2)

00h01 – 11h30

Foreshore

Heerengracht, both carriageways between Hans Strijdom Avenue (Fountain Circle) and Coen Steytler Avenue

04h00 – 11h30

Woodstock, University Estate

De Waal Drive (M3), outbound between Roodebloem Road and Hospital Bend. Traffic will be diverted to Main Road

06h00 – 11h30

Woodstock

Eastern Boulevard (N2) Southbound 06h00 – 11h30

Hospital Bend (N2, M3) Interchange

Settlers Way (N2) to M3 (Muizenberg) ramp (Southbound)

M3 on-ramp from Groote Schuur Hospital (Southbound)

06h00 – 11h30

Mowbray, Rondebosch, Newlands, Claremont, Bishops Court

M3 (Rhodes Drive, Union Avenue, Paradise, Edinburgh Drive) Southbound, including all on-ramps betweenTable Bay Boulevard up to Trovato Link

06h00 – 11h45

Wynberg, Constantia, Tokai

M3 Freeway (Blue Route), Southbound, including all onramps between Trovato Link and Steenberg Road

06h00 – 12h15

Tokai

Steenberg Road (M42), M3 off-ramp to Main Road

06h15 – 12h15

Tokai, Lakeside, Muizenberg, False Bay Coast to Cape Point, Scarborough

Main Road (M4) NB: Northbound & Southbound

06h15 – 12h15

Steenberg Road to Boyes Drive

Boyes Drive to Clairvaux Road

06h15 – 12h30

Clairvaux Road to Fish Hoek Traffic Circle

06h15 – 12h50

Fish Hoek Traffic Circle to Glen Road, Glencairn

06h30 – 13h00

Glen Road to Simon’s Town

06h30 – 13h15

Simon’s Town to entrance of Cape Point Nature Reserve

06h45 – 14h30

Entrance of Cape Point Nature Reserve (M4) to Perdekloof (M65)

07h00 – 14h30

Perdekloof to Sweet Water

07h00 – 15h00

Cape Point, Scarborough, Kommetjie, Ocean View

Slangkop Road (M82), Soetwater to Kommetjie Road (M65)

06h45 - 15h00

Kommetjie, Ocean View, Masipumelele

Kommetjie Road (M65), Slangkop Road to Glencairn Expressway (M6)

06h45 - 15h30

Noordhoek, Sun Valley

Ou Kaapse Weg Ext. (M64), Kommetjie Road (M65) to Noordhoek Road (M6)

06h45 - 15h30

Noordhoek, Sun Valley

Noordhoek Road (M6), Ou Kaapse Weg Ext. (M64) to base of Chapman’s Peak Drive

06h45 - 16h00

Noordhoek, Hout Bay

Chapman’s Peak Drive (M6), Noordhoek Road (M6) to Princess Road

06h45 - 16h30

Hout Bay, Llandudno

Princess Street (M90), Chapman’s Peak Drive to Victoria Avenue (M6) Hout Bay

07h00 - 17h00

Hout Bay, Llandudno, Camps Bay, Bakoven

Victoria Road (M6) Northbound and Southbound, Princess Road (M90) Hout Bay to Camps Bay

07h00 - 17h15

Camps Bay, Bantry Bay and Clifton

Victoria Road (M6) Northbound and Southbound

Houghton Road to Camps Bay Drive

07h30 - 17h30

Camps Bay Drive to Mead Way

05h00 - 17h45

Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay

Victoria Road (M6) North and Southbound, Mead Way to Lower Kloof Road

07h30 - 18h00

Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay

Victoria Road (M6), Northbound and Southbound, Lower Kloof Road to Queens Road, Sea Point

04h00 - 17h45

Bantry Bay, Sea Point

Queens Road (M6), Victoria Road to Beach Road

06h00 - 17h45

Sea Point, Green Point & Mouille Point

Beach Road (M6) City bound carriageway – Queens Road Circle to St Johns Road

06h00 - 18h30

Beach Road (M6) City bound carriageway - St Johns Road to Arthurs Road

04h00 - 18h30

Beach Road (M6) City bound carriageway – Arthurs Road to Western Boulevard (M6)

07h30 - 18h30

Green Point area

Fritz Sonnenberg between Stadium Road and Green Point Circle.

Controlled Access point TBC

Green Point area

Western Boulevard (M6) - Sea Point bound from Temporary Road Intersection to Beach Road

04h00 - 18h30

Source: http://www.cycletour.co.za/

New Dylan Lewis Display in Stellenbosh

2010-03-08

Now, a display of 'monumental works' by Lewis is again on display in this charming Cape Winelands town.

"UNTAMED" opened on 5 March - details on the poster below.

Winelands accommodation

Why not enjoy a weekend of wine and art by staying in the Cape Winelands at one of Portfolio's 30 benchmarked Stellenbosch accommodation establishments?

To enquire or book, email our Online Reservations Team.