GREETINGS FROM A CLOUDY AND COLD DAY IN CAPE TOWN

March has been just as busy as February, if not more. We have just had the Two Oceans Marathon, which was a great success once again.  The middle of March was The Annual Jazz Festival at the CTICC and the 6^th - 9^th April we had the World Travel Market here in Cape Town, where we were expecting people from all over the world. Everyone in Tourism was just rushing around getting everything ready for the opening day, or making the last few appointments to see how many clients they could still get for the WTM. We were very busy at the WTM, as I was assisting with the marketing of Richard’s Supper Stage, and Chris visiting his Adventure clients and also popping in to see all our CTC Marketing members and clients who were quite a few here in Cape Town. I will be attending Indaba again this year and hope to see more of our clients again.

Chris and I have completed another Marketing trip down the Garden Route the end of February and also of course, back on the Route 62 and cutting across to Ceres from Worcester, which took us 7 days to complete.  Our first visit was to Hermanus where we had to visit some Guest Houses and spent a wonderful evening with Han and Marijke at Walker Bay Manor. A delightful Guest House within walking distance to the Ocean and also shopping amenities. Very reasonably priced and very comfortable and friendly Hosts. Breakfast could be served in their Dining room or outside on the Patio in a wonderful neat Garden over looking their pool.

For more information please contact Han at: info@walker-bay-manor.co.za  028 312 2044

Our next port of call was at Swellendam where we visited Swellen2 Lodge just outside Swellendam on the Cape Town side.   This is ideal for you and your family, being Child friendly. Many places to play, as they have a play yard next to their Restaurant. They have many small animals which the children are allowed to pet. Lovely neat ten en suite wooden rooms with balconies, which can also be used for B&B or Self Catering, next to a river.  This is ideal for gents wanting to have a conference in the countryside.
The Breakfast and menu is typical country food, absolutely to die for.  We had an enormous Toasted Bacon, Cheese and Banana Sandwich with Chips and wonderful Coffee. Cheese cake, Muffins or an English breakfast was also available. The Restaurant is very colourful, and children have big thick plastic mattresses to play on, they can ride on swings, do some colouring in or play with blocks and various toys while you have your breakfast / lunch or just a Coffee or Tea.  They have large grounds where the children can run around and will be very safe.  Accommodation is at a very reasonable rate.  Next time you drive to Swellendam, please do pop in for a cup of coffee or a light lunch, or even stay overnight.
 
For more information please contact Richard at: swellen2@telkomsa.net  028 514 2199

After having a lovely time with Richard and his wife we set of for Mossel Bay where we stopped after Lunch at Indalu Game Reserve, about 30 Km outside Mossel Bay on the Herbertsdale/Cooper Road off the N2.  What an amazing Reserve with stunning views!  We were welcomed by Gerhard and Arina and then taken on a long walk with each getting their own Guide and elephant, who were most informative throughout the walk. Our Host was kind enough to take some lovely photographs of the two of us with the Elephants.  We were then taken to a wide open space were we had a chance to feed our elephants with fruit and vegetables which they loved and were so gentle with us and listened to all the commands given to them. After that we were taken on an amazing long Game Drive and saw many different kinds of Buck. The scenery was most amazing, so much bush and water, uphill and down dale we drove for many kilometres, plus we were shown where the elephants sleep at night. After all that excitement we were taken to our thatched roof Cottage where we were going to sleep.  There were two cottages each sleeping 4 people. We had a separate cottage housing a fully furnished kitchen/come dining room where we could prepare our own supper for the evening. Being Earth Day, we decided to have a lovely braai outside by the Boma. It was a lovely quiet evening, spending it under the stars all alone listening to the sounds of the night with only a fire going.  They do have lights and a Fridge run by solar panelling, Gas for Hot water for showering, and a large Gas Stove for your cooking. After an early breakfast the two of us set off for Oudtshoorn via the Robinson Pass. Children are also most welcome to have this wonderful experience.
To book your amazing walk and interaction with these amazing Elephants please contact Gerhard at: info@indalu.co.za  082 990 3831

Driving through Brandwagt on the way up the Robinson Pass we decided to visit Nyaru Game Lodge, which now have new owners we had not met before.  What a lovely surprised we had when we arrived there.  Low and behold just outside the Reception entrance was a Giraffe sitting and waiting for their guests to arrive.  This I had never seen before, so out came the camera, and getting out of the car along comes a rather large Warthog, very friendly with a small MeerKat coming with him, also very friendly.  We were welcomed by Zane’ who told us that the animals are now so used to the guests, and she must watch that they do not come into the lodge.   Needless to say, shortly afterwards Mr Warthog came in and made himself very comfortable on the Zebra skin rug in the entrance hall.  He was so cute that we decided to take a photograph of the two of us, this was quite an experience too.
The lodge is a 3* and children friendly, so again you and your family will be most welcome.  They offer Chalets catering for 4 people per Chalet. A lovely swimming pool and of course offer Quad bike rides, Games drives, horseback safaris, nature walks, helicopter flights and much more which will keep the little ones busy.  They serve traditional South African food under the stars, and is only 15 minutes away from Mossel Bay.

For more information please contact Zane at: info@nyarugame.co.za  082 175 1933

Our trip after Oudtshoorn took us to Plettenberg Bay and then onto Storms River Village which we love and decided to stay overnight.  They have put in a wonderful pool and upgraded their Boma.  t What a difference and are now truly a wonderful Lodge to stay at.  Not to speak of their lovely Breakfast, Lunch or Supper that is offered at a very reasonable price and so tasty.  Their accommodation is beautiful and very comfortable, large rooms with bathroom en suite. They also provide a dormitory or Camping facilities, which are tented accommodation, fully furnished. Grow their own herbs and vegetables. For your next visit, do pop in at Tube ‘n Axe, Storms River Village. 

For more information please contact: info@tubenaxe.co.za  042 281 1757

We were at last on our way to Ceres via Route 62, and stopped at the Bella De Karoo was a must for a morning Breakfast.  Nothing better than a Rooster Koek – (bread dough made into a donut size and roasted on an open fire) This is served with farm butter, Cheese and Bacon, what a treat and boeretroos, (which is small enamel kettle with home brooded coffee).  This is not too be missed at this Country Stall between Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp.  They also make delicious homemade brown bread to take away, cakes, cookies, preserves and of course beautiful hand knitted articles, toys, Bags and place mats etc. The ladies have a workshop there on the premises, where you can actually see them doing their handwork. Really a stop worth taking when you are driving on the Route 62:  

For more information please contact Eunice at: eunice3306@hotmail.com  044 213 3737

We arrived at Ceres in the late afternoon to visit Ceres Zip Slide Tours.  This is an all weather adventure, suitable for most ages, young and old. No Group size in limited, the Tours Depart every 30 minutes.  You will be doing your zip slide through rock formations and the changing scenery is breath-taking. 8 Slides totalling 1.4km for the best tour in Africa.  1-2 hours (depending on group size) of Adventure and adrenaline rushes, plus refreshments along the tour.  The surrounding Skurweberg mountains forms a picturesque backdrop to this awesome adventure.  Guides are all qualified, and they use a patented braking system.  Their Guides and owners are very friendly and helpful, even assisted us with a young gentleman who was in a wheelchair, so that he could also have a super adventure.  They are very patient with the young people and the older folk, which does not often happen at Adventure facilities.

To enjoy this amazing experience please contact Angelique at: info@ceresadventures.co.za

                                             

After all our adventures and excitement, it was back to the office to do some emails for the WTM clients and not forgetting the Indaba at Durban next month.  So I now have to put down the newsletter and do some office work for a change.  We look forward to meeting some of you at INDABA, and will catch up on all your news.  We wish you all a wonderful April and hope that you are still very busy with clients coming to visit South Africa, seeing we still have a little bit of summer available although I must stay that the winter is creeping up slowly.  We did have a few cooler days this last week, and some very welcome rain a few days ago for a change.  We were fortunate to get some rain in Swellendam and again when we got home to Cape Town.  Please keep the news coming in, and thank for all the lovely emails we are receiving regarding our monthly newsletter.

Take Care and God Bless.

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             Thought of the Day:       Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any
                                                   trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  
                                                                            1 Corinthians 1:4
                                                                                

Corbett Tourism Consulting, Marketing and Tours
P.O. Box 11535, Bloubergrant, 7443
Cape Town, South Africa  
Mobile: +27 (0) 747 092 502 / 073 1409 700
elainecorbett@ctcmarketing.co.za
Twitter: @ElaineCorbett7