A Lourie's view of KZN

It was my husband's birthday, and we were visiting his family in Howick. We awoke to be informed that they were giving us a special birthday 'treat', and that we should get dressed quickly as the 'surprise' was a little drive away.
“Don't wear a skirt”, my sister-in-law told me. This comment should have fueled my suspicious mind; but it didn't. I thought we were in for a delicious breakfast at some quaint country retreat, that the Midlands meander is famous for. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Those that know me well, know that I have an atrocious sense of direction, and I suffer from vertigo. As road signs began pointing the direction to the Karlkloof indigenous forest, the penny still didn't drop. Even my sister-in-law's cheesy grin didn't give away the fact that I was about to face my fear of heights.

We pulled into the parking area of the Karlkloof Canopy Tour, only to realise that the surprise was a 3-hour eco-adventure through the magnificent indigenous forest. I secretly cursed my sister-in-law for not informing me of her plan, so that I could be better prepared. Not wearing high heel boots would have helped some, and taking copious amounts of rescue remedy would have calmed the butterflies that were doing Thai kick-boxing in my stomach, as the reality of the situation set in. In retrospect I am glad that she never told me, as I may have managed to conjure up an excuse not to go along, and after experiencing this eco-tour, I enthusiastically recommend it to all. After all, as the saying goes “ Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the conquest of it”.

The tour started with us being kitted up with full safety harnesses, pulleys, ropes and helmets. I felt as though I had enough safety equipment to climb Everest; all that was missing was an oxygen mask. I suppose I should have found this re-assuring, but all it did was send the butterflies into a panic-induced frenzy – Oh for some rescue remedy, or a stiff gin and tonic.

The very competent guides checked and re-checked our safety gear, and instructed us on the dos and don't s of whizzing through the air on a cable 30m above the ground, before taking us on a short but scenic drive to the starting platform.

There were seven in our group, including a well-known SA rugby player, but I won't name drop. There are two guides per group. One leads the way, and waits on the next platform, while the other sends each adventurer on their way, gliding through the air like a flying fox. When you reach the other side, the first guide is there to safely clip you to the platform, while you wait for the others. In this way, you are always clipped onto either the cable, and a second safety cable, or the platform on which you are waiting.

The canopy tour involves travelling from one platform to another, along a steel cable suspended up to 30m above the forest floor. There are seven platforms, joined by eight 'foefie' slides, the longest being 170m! As you zig-zag through a pristine forested valley, (try) keep your eyes open as the scenery is spectacular as is the abundant bird life. You have time to catch your breath on each platform, while the guides fill you in on the flora and fauna of this Midlands forest ecology. You will have the opportunity to spot Emerald Cuckoos, Knysna Loeries, a wide variety of raptors and if you are lucky, the elusive Narina Trogon or endangered Cape Parrots. The forest is also home to a variety of mammals, but it is the vocal calls of the Samago monkeys that you will remember best as they swing through the trees.

If you are worried that you will miss out on all these sights by not being able to keep your eyes open as you speed down the cable, you have the option of going tandem with a guide. If you are not sure of your capabilities, then this is a good option. I conquered the first two slides on my own, but failed to keep my eyes open, and had to rely on the others in our group shouting 'Brake! Brake!' for me to stop in time and not plough into the platform. I then chose to go tandem with a guide, allowing me to take in the views, as I didn't have to concentrate on not crashing. There are places when you have to lift your legs to avoid branches, so keeping your eyes open is definitely an advantage.

Canopy tours originated in the tropical rain forests of Costa Rica, where biologists devised a system of cables and platforms to explore and study the previously inaccessible upper forest canopy. This soon evolved into a successful form of adventure and eco- tourism, raising awareness of the plight of the world's endangered rain forests. Construction of the Karlkloof Canopy Tour has been done in accordance with strict civil engineering standards, and a full environmental impact study was done, and approved by the department of environmental affairs before construction began.

We are more likely to regret those things we haven't done, than the things we have done, so if you find yourself in the Midlands area, be sure to try swinging through the trees.

" Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- ’WOW, what a ride!!! "
Anonymous


www.karlkloofcanopytour.co.za info@karlkloofcanopytour.co.za
Tel: +27 (033) 3303415 or (076) 2412888

Group size: Maximum 7 per group.
Departure times: Every hour from 8:00 to 15:00.
Tours are conducted in all weather conditions.
Booking essential.
Daily numbers limited.
Who can go: Anyone between 7 & 70 years old!
Cost: R395.00 includes refreshments, lunch, guides and all equipment

Kids in the Kruger Park

We have just returned from a trip to the Kruger Park, having driven over 5000km on the round trip, with a 6-year old in the car. Next time we will definitely fly! It is in fact closer to drive to Mozambique from the Cape, than to the Kruger Park, and the driving of course doesn't stop once you are in the park!
But, once you get past the whole driving nightmare, the Kruger Park is a great place for the kids. We stayed in a private camp, Roodewal, which consists of 4 newly refurbished bungalows, a central kitchen and central dining room. The camp was spectacular, overlooking a river bed - dry now, as it isn't the rainy season. The option of a private camp is great for families, as the kids can play around camp (when you are not in the car...) without disturbing other guests. There is adequate space to them to run about and ride their bikes after being cooped up in the car.
The resident vervet monkeys also proved to be very entertaining to the kids. They had strict instructions 'NOT TO FEED THE MONKEYS' but monkeys being what they are, and kids being somewhat forgetful, meant that the odd rusk got snatched from a child's hand, and scurried up a tree to be devoured out of reach. A bright orange wristwatch was even snatched on one occasion, presumably resembling a delectable fruit to a hungry vervet monkey. It was later returned, somewhat worse for the wear.
Our kids were not the only young in the park. Below are some photos of wildlife with their young:
an elephant cow with her day-old baby, ears still curling from the womb
a giraffe with her young - all legs
a hyena with her pups
Many an 'oooh' and 'aaah' and 'oh cute' were whispered from our vehicle.

September is tourism month

September is tourism month! Hermanus is welcoming both local and international tourists to our magnificent town. Here is a list of events in Hermanus as well as the rest of the Overstrand region during September. Click on the table to enlarge it. We hope to see you in Hermanus soon, and remember that we have a fantastic selection of accommodation on offer:
www.marinesquare.co.za
www.holidayhouses-sa.co.za
www.aloe-guest-house.co.za
www.16reasons.co.za

lost in translation..

In a Bangkok temple:
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A MAN.

Cocktail lounge , Norway :
LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR.

Doctors office, Rome :
SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES,

Dry cleaners, Bangkok :
DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS.

In a Nairobi restaurant:
CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER.

On the main road to Mombassa, leaving Nairobi :
TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE.

On a poster at Kencom:
ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO WE CAN HELP.

In a City restaurant:
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS.

In a cemetery:
PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES .

Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations:
GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN BED.

On the menu of a Swiss restaurant:
OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR.

In a Tokyo bar:
SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS.

Hotel , Yugoslavia :
THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBERMAID.

Hotel , Japan :
YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMAID.

In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CEMETERY WHERE FAMOUS RUSSIAN AND SOVIET COMPOSERS, ARTISTS AND WRITERS ARE BURIED DAILY EXCEPT THURSDAY.

A sign posted in Germany 's Black Forest :
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON OUR BLACK FOREST CAMPING SITE THAT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT S#X, FOR INSTANCE, MEN AND WOMEN, LIVE TOGETHER IN ONE TENT UNLESS THEY ARE MARRIED WITH EACH OTHER FOR THIS PURPOSE.

Hotel, Zurich :
BECAUSE OF THE IMPROPRIETY OF ENTERTAINING GUESTS OF THE OPPOSITE S#X IN THE BEDROOM, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOBBY BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE.

Advertisement for donkey rides, Thailand :
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE ON YOUR OWN ASS?

Airline ticket office, Copenhagen :
WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS.

A laundry in Rome :
LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A GOOD TIME.

ART THIRST

Writers and artists both draw from their environment for inspiration. So, as a writer, I can appreciate good local art. Once you get to know the artist, you can often see where their inspiration has come from. Their art becomes an extension of their travels, both places and people that they meet becoming infused into their work. Sometimes this inspiration will be right next door, sometimes much further afield.

When you are next in Hermanus, do your self a favour and have a browse through a fantastic gallery known as ART THIRST. Artists Leon Muller and Petrus Viljoen have brought the gallery to life with their pieces created from the heart. Styles and themes change depending on the mood of the artist, so you will see Oils on canvas ranging from still life, nudes and landscapes - often with a fun element added. Other mediums are used to add texture and depth.
Have a look at the pictures below:
ART THIRST, High Street, Hermanus. leonmullerart@gmail.com, 0726826590

All of South Africa gearing up for 2010

Most South Africans are excited about the 2010 World cup being hosted in South Africa.
It is common knowledge that there are not enough beds to sleep all the visitors expected. It seems entrepreneurs are sprouting up everywhere with innovative solutions to this problem. Below is an example. How cute are the flowers on the balcony?

Dalai Lama

Finally, the Dalai Lama has been granted a visa into South Africa! A bit of Friday fun..

The first Cape winter storms are due to set in this weekend, so wrap up warm, and get out the soup recipes!
Rosanne