Sep 30
Sep 28
Birth announcement! See a photo of the baby!
Uncategorized No Comments »Breaking news: Another Birth in Largest Mountain Gorilla Group
Care to meet some of the family? We work with Volcanoes Safaris to create mountain gorilla safaris to Africa. Ready to experience the indescribable? Email me now! barbara@greatgetaway.com
Sep 28
Sep 28
Solutions for Ten Potential Travel Disasters
Uncategorized No Comments »Thanks to Guy Kawasaki I discovered DumbLittleMan.com. Below is a link to an excellent article:
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2009/09/solutions-for-ten-potential-travel.html
Sep 18
Don’t mess with a testosterone-laden young male…elephant!
Uncategorized No Comments »Just back from a morning game drive—saw Wildebeests (which they say God created so other animals would never go hungry—ouch!), more giraffes, warthogs, a female leopard—so beautiful we suspect it was just really a very, very large stuffed animal (right!!!), zebra, and several elephants. We saw a mama elephant actively nursing her baby, several other females (some walking right next to our vehicle), and one "playful" teenage male (about 15 years old). Our ranger/guide said the teens when filled with testosterone (you can see traces of it on their hind legs) become "playful." They like to "strut their stuff" and one needs to watch their body language. Unfortunately, I don't recall studying elephant body language 101 in college—darn! This guy came so close to us I thought he was going to wrap his trunk around Michael! He back off at the last moment—a very good thing! Our ranger knew we'd be safe but we certainly got our morning adrenaline rush!
We then toured a new property (1 year old) across from Royal Malewane, called Africa House. This is a perfect place for groups of 12—6 couples, multi-generational families, whatever. Each bedroom is a different bright color, all have private baths. Staffed with butlers, maids, and a chef, driver/guides and trackers, it is totally self-contained! Need spa treatments? Go across the road to Royal Malewane!
Off to Londolozi, then to Tinga Narina.
Moral of this story: teenage boys, no matter the species, will always be boys!
Sep 17
Fit For A King or 2 or more!
Uncategorized No Comments »We arrived this afternoon at Royal Malewane and it is truly royal. We are in a 2-bedroom suite with the requisite plunge pool, full kitchen with granite counter tops, to-die-for shabby-chic meets Ralph Lauren decor, gorgeous African art, sumptuous meals—including the elegant 4 course dinner in the bush! Dining room overlooks a watering hole so you can eat and do some game viewing at the same time. And, at our bush dinner tonight there were several amazing things of note—the top 2 were an Oriental rug under the table and, even more incredible, a real bathroom with flushing toilet and hot and cold running water in the sink.
Okay, enough about the creature comforts, here's a quick review of some of the creatures our ranger, Ryan, showed us: mother cheetah and 3 one-year old cubs; jackal; grey "go away" bird; male lion patrolling his territory; 4 female lions sound asleep (one lying spread eagle, so to speak, and what would her mother say???); a giraffe that greeted us at the landing strip; 5 rhino—2 of them were moms with babies that were still nursing; big herd of Cape buffalo and with several offspring; kudu (my, what big ears you have!); impala; and a few other breeds I can't spell! Photos are in Michael's camera and it's too late to load them. We have to get up tomorrow at 5:30 AM for a morning game drive, visit 2 other camps, drive 2 hours to Tinga Narina, do an evening game drive and collapse in a wonderfully cushy bed.
I saved two very amazing facts for last: Royal Malewane's suites are air-conditioned—say what? Yes, you heard me—real A/C AND they have Internet connectivity here. That's how I'm able to rave about all the things the Kings find that are Royal!
Sep 15
Sometimes it’s not good to be first!
Uncategorized No Comments »Deep breath—inhale, hold it, exhale. Again, deep breath—inhale, hold it, exhale! Sorry, I just needed to calm down after going through security at Washington Dulles Airport’s new security checkpoint. Today was the first day this airport is using a new method for us travelers to get through security. There is now one mass locale—a winding maze of lines (“To the left, please. Sir, you go to the right. Next!”). We arrived at security at 1:45 PM, a slow traffic time for Dulles; however, it took us 45 minutes to clear security!. Two mazes met at one point and the TSA agent would usher 10 of one line, then 10 of the next. Somehow, being treated like a rat in a maze, I begin to behave that way. “Hey, Michael, did you see the guy in that other lane? I think he’s going to try to get in front of us! You block him with your shoulder and I’ll swing my backpack at him!”
I’m hopeful that when the powers that be–TSA, ABC, XYZ, whoever—get the kinks ironed out (perhaps consider using a steam roller???), things will flow beautifully (ahhh, the power of positive thinking). Several people missed their flights. We, on the other hand, are being pampered in the “Clubhouse” — Virgin Atlantic’s lounge for Business and First Class. And this, my friends, prompts a round of applause for our hosts, Swain Tours and South African Airlines, who shares this piece of tranquility with Virgin. Okay now, let’s all clap together! Come on, I can’t hear you! Think of it as clapping for Tinkerbell, if you clap the dehumanizing maze at security will become a vague and distant memory!
Sep 14
When you “lift” an idea from someone else is that stealing?
Uncategorized No Comments »In this age of cut and paste, post and tweet, I think we share ideas. If you say something worth repeating, my rule is to repeat the quote and credit you. After I do this 3 times, it's mine!
Here's an idea from a blog I read regularly, Holy Kaw, by Guy Kawasaki. Please note that there are 2 degrees of separation because he's quoting from Merlin Mann's 43folders.com!
Sep 12
Would you go to Harrods to buy a doughnut?
Uncategorized No Comments »One of the wonders of the shopping world is Harrods. To describe it merely as a department store is an insult; Harrods is an institution, a legend, a company whose motto is "Omnia Omnibus Ubique — All Things for All People, Everywhere" and Harrods practices what it preaches. Any shopper worth her salt knows a visit to London without a stop at Harrods is….well…why bother going at all? Harrods annual Winter Sale draws shoppers from all over the world clamoring for bargains that we never knew we wanted or needed. Harrods is an experience.
Several years ago, on a visit to Harrods, I noticed some changes such as the memorials to Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed, son of Mohamed Al Fayed, owner of Harrods, and the "pay to use" ladies rest room. I was told that so many tourists use the rest room they wanted to deter gawkers. My advice—not worth the price—pee somewhere else! Al Fayed definitely has an interesting imprint on the Harrods image.
One of my favorite departments of Harrods, which boast over 300 departments, is their Food Hall. From truffles to tofu, you'll find it in the Food Hall! Trust me, it's worth the time to stroll the aisles.
So, would you go to Harrods to buy a doughnut? I might buy one while I'm at Harrods but I don't think I'd go to Harrods in pursuit of this deep-fried, cholesterol-ridden, and yet so delicious treat. For some reason, I find the idea jarring. I'm not a food snob; in fact, I can make a wonderful meal out of junk food. It's just thinking about Harrods Food Hall's shelves teeming with exotic preserves, its bakery cases adorned with pastries too beautiful to eat—a doughnut doesn't fit in this uber food selection!
Imagine what I thought when I saw Guy Kawasaki's photo from a recent visit to Harrods, http://bit.ly/tryn3!
Okay, it is Krispy Kreme—not your everyday doughnut. However, after some research, I found that Harrods has opened a store across the street from its main building called Harrods 102, a luxury convenience store. So, that puts my question in a totally different light. Would I walk across the street to buy a Krispy Kreme doughnut? You bet I would!