We have just been informed that as from 1st November 2010, South African Airways will cease to fly between Durban and Cape Town.
The route will instead be covered by Mango, one of the few low-cost airlines in South Africa. Mango offer extremely competitive rates, so this will be, I am sure, a benefit to anyone who will be flying this route.
All other SAA flight schedules remain unaffected, and will continue to operate as normal.
For December and January only, guests wanting to stay in Port Elizabeth can enjoy 3 nights at the King Edward Hotel for the price of just 2.
Discover originality and authencity of the Edwardian Era during your stay at the King Edward Hotel. This golden era with its elegance is captured here in the hotel, that itself dates back to 1903.
Situated near the beach, you can watch the sunrise over the ocean from your balcony with beautiful views of the harbour. The hotel is also only 10 minutes from the airport with a free shuttle service.
The 100 rooms are all decorated with classic reminiscences combined with modern comforts including air-conditioning, satellite TV and tea / coffee making facilities. The restaurant boasts a wide array of dishes.
The Spittle Tree is also locally referred to as the Raining or Crying Tree as sometimes it can appear to have water falling from it, even in the most driest conditions …
As with the majority of ‘weird’ things, there is a simple explanation (sometimes life can be so boring and practical).
So what is the answer ? Well, if you really want to know … read on …
The spittle bug bores its little way into the trees, and drinks the sap … and then urinates.
Well, we said it was a simple answer … we never said it was a nice answer !!
The last in our folklore series … I do hope you have enjoyed these stories !
Why the Zebra has a Stripy Coat
The Creator originally made all the animals the same. After a while, the animals became bored with all looking alike, and asked if The Creator could do something to help them.
The Creator agreed to help, and spent weeks making many coats and horns of varying styles, shapes and sizes so that the animals could put them on and look different.
When The Creator had finished his work, he invited the animals to come along and choose what they would like. The animals were very excited, and all eagerly rushed off.
All except the fat Zebra, who was too busy eating his dinner. Zebra was well-known for his love of food, and nothing would come between him and his mealtimes.
When Zebra had eventually finished eating, he was extremely full, so wandered slowly along to see The Creator. He passed many of the other animals on their way back home, and was surprised at how different they all looked now.
Elephant had chosen a plain grey coat, but had a magnificent pair of tusks to set the outfit off.
Lion had chosen a lovely sleek coat with a fine mane of hair around his neck.
Rhino, being a bit short-sighted, had chosen a coat that was a bit too big for him, so it looked baggy, and the 2 horns he had picked out were different sizes.
Zebra quickened his pace, his mind going over what sort of coat and horns he would like.
However, when he eventually arrived at The Creator, he was dismayed to find that there was only one coat left, and no horns at all.
The coat was a rather garish black and white striped one but as there was nothing else to choose from, the Zebra had to take it.
To this day, Zebras are still wearing their black and white coats, and you will very rarely see a thin Zebra because they are still always hungry and eating.
A lot of rangers will also try to educate their guests not only about the wildlife, but also about the many different plants that are found in the African bush.
A very popular bush to stop by and talk about is the Magic Guarri bush, or to give it is proper name – Euclea divinorum.
As you may have already guessed from the Latin name, one of the most well known properties of this bush is that it can be used to divine water … don’t ask me how, but if you take a stem off the bush, it will quiver when it gets near a water source. A very handy thing to know if you are ever lost in the bush without water.
And once you have found the water, well, there is nothing nicer than a quick clean of your teeth (providing you have toothpaste of course) to make you feel 100% better. Again, take your now used divining stem, peel back the bark, and the fibrous insides work wonders as a toothbrush.
One final use … if there is a bush fire and you can’t move to find the water needed to put the fire out … well, a cluster of Magic Guarri stems together act as excellent fire beater.
A lovely tale !
The Waterbuck’s White Circle
One very dark night, a mother Waterbuck was grazing near the Tribesman’s wooden hut with her young calf. The Tribesman had been very busy that day, painting his hut white, and had left the tin of white paint outside his door ready to continue his work the next morning.
The grass outside the Tribesman’s front door was particularly lush, and the mother Waterbuck couldn’t resist wandering over and eating it.
Her calf followed her, but unfortunately, because it was so dark, the baby Waterbuck accidentally knocked over the tin of paint, and the noise awoke the Tribesman.
The Tribesman came outside, and saw to his dismay that all his white paint was spilt on the ground.
The Waterbuck and her calf quickly ran off, but the Tribesman was so angry he gave chase and threw the empty tin of paint at them.
The tin landed firmly on the mother Waterbuck’s hindquarters, and left a large round white mark on her bottom.
However, rather than being upset, she was actually very pleased, as the white mark showed up very well at night and helped her calf to follow more easily.
When all the other Waterbuck saw this, they thought it was a good idea too, and to this day, all Waterbuck, even the males and the young calves, have a white mark on their hindquarters.
The Winchester Mansions Hotel embodies the charm and gracious hospitality of a bygone era.
However, this is REALLY true now, as for any NEW bookings taken for a stay here in any room type from 1st October 2010 until end September 2011 – you will be charged at 2008 rates !
Travel Butlers believe that this is a fantastic deal, and we really applaude the hotel for taking the initiative to help visitors who want to visit Cape Town in these somewhat difficult economic conditions to get the most out of their holiday budget.
Book to stay in a Marina Room at the One&Only Cape Town between now and the end of February, and receive a COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE to an Island Superior Room (subject to availability at the time of booking), plus receive 2 for 1 Spa treatments (including a complimentary ESPA gift bag), 2 for 1 Golf green fees at the Pearl Valley Golf Estate, and 1 complimentary wine and cheese tasting for 2 persons per room per stay.
Valid for travel between 23 September 2010 and 28 February 2011. Not valid for travel between 25th December 2010 and 3rd January 2011.
Click here for more details and to check availability now.
The Shumbalala Game Lodge is an exclusive 5* lodge set in the Thornybush Game Reserve, which comprises of 11,500 hectares of fenced prime game viewing territory. Home to the Big 5 as well as a variety of other African wildlife, exciting morning and afternoon guided game drives with experienced rangers track the wildlife through the bush.
Accommodation is in 4 luxury suites. All the suites have overhead fans, air-conditioning, open fireplaces, and designer ‘picture window’ bathroom suites that includes an additional outside shower for the more adventurous and a private viewing deck.
The main lodge area has game viewing decks and swimming pools, as well as 2 lounges, a curio shop and a library in which to relax between game drives.
So far, it sounds great ? Well, just wait until you see the price.
From now until 15th December, a safari here with Travel Butlers will cost just R3,685 per person per night.
Dawn and dusk safaris in open Land Rovers, bushveld walks, all meals, teas, coffees and snacks, and sundowner drinks on game drives plus the Thornybush Conservation fee and Tourism bed levy are all included.
At these fantastic rates, availability may go quickly – so contact us today to make your booking !
Just 2 minutes’ leisurely walk from Central Beach, Bay Lodge is a 6 room designer boutique beach lodge. It offers an unbeatable location, magnificent views, tranquil contemporary beach décor and a roof terrace with jacuzzi and BBQ facilities.
Ease gently into the day with a generous, scrumptious breakfast served on the verandah with it’s spectacular views before setting off to explore the many surrounding attractions or relax around the pool soaking up the sun.
We are delighted to offer a Special Rate of only R1,200 per suite per night, including breakfast, for travel from now until the end of October 2010.
And for anyone wanting to travel in the first few weeks of December, between the 1st and the 20th December, the rates are only R2,000 for a room situated on the ground floor, and R2,500 for a room on the first floor with sea views.
Truly a bargain that cannot be missed.