[UPDATE 1/10/11 8:30 A.M. EST - There is a twitter account (possibly) established by Safari Par Excellence. Follow them at @SafParZambia Their name has been in the news, attached to the accident, but they book all kinds of African Tours, don't operate any of them. I think if they had a Facebook and Twitter account ahead of time, they could have minimized the press they are getting. A lesson to all companies out there - if you don't engage in social media, you'll regret it later when you need it.]
The cooler weather has arrived in Florida and I’m reminded of Africa. You see, on my first trip to South Africa was during winter (summer in America). And I took a photo of this lonely tree. I loved this tree, because it was standing in a field all alone.
Winter in Africa
And then, 5 months later, it became summer in Africa (winter in America). And I took a photo of that same, lonely tree.
Summer in Africa
Watching the seasons change is one of those simple pleasures in life. Watching them change in another country is even better!
I was recently reviewing some old photos and came across this snapshot of a South African Rock Dassie at Augrabies Falls National Park. I think it is by far, the cutest animal photo I have ever taken. What do you think? If you’d like to see more, click here to view my Facebook Fan Page Photo Album with more of these cute little buggers!
What’s the cutest animal photo you’ve ever taken on your travels? Share by commenting.
I’ll see you out there…!
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I’ve always wanted to fly in a helicopter. It’s been on my adventure list for a long time. But to shell out $130 for 15-minutes of airtime… well it better be for something spectacular. Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, has dozens of lookout points that offer breathtaking views. But to truly complete your experience, you need to see it from above.
I was staying at the Cedar Lodge in Krugersdorp in South Africa for 3 months. It’s a delightful bed and breakfast and was the perfect home away from home. The Cedar Lodge happens to have a giant aviary and peacocks roaming the property. Every once in a while, the peacocks would fan their feathers. Of course, I never had my camera… until this day.
It’s so rare to see a peacock with full feathers. It’s even rarer to have so many of the feathers in near-perfect condition. Many times they are missing a feather or two. Nonetheless, I thought I would share this moment with you.
If you could only visit one country in the world, South Africa should be it, for a lot of reasons. But chief among them, is the opportunity to encounter wild animals. Take one look at my Lion Encounter at Pilanesberg National Park and you’ll see why. A trip to South Africa is not complete without a visit to a game reserve (golf cart safaris don’t count). Of course, you’ll want to document your experience with pictures, so here are 8 tips for taking envy-worthy photographs for your next game drive.
I found this sign in South Africa in the same place where tampons weren’t allowed. Translated literally, this sign reads in Afrikaans, “Smoking Smokers Have Your Lungs Cooked”. We all know that literal translations never work. Our cultures use so many idiomatic expression that you just can’t translate like that.
Which is why, I think the sign reads, “Skeletons are not allowed to smoke”.
Has South Africa taken the no-smoking thing too far? Do you think skeletons should be allowed to smoke? Why or why not? Share by commenting.
There’s nothing wrong with being a tourist and doing the touristy attractions. My primary purpose in traveling is to have fun, and there are some awesome, fun things around the world that are on the beaten path. Today’s adventure takes you to one such place near Cape Town, South Africa: Moyo.
Moyo is a restaurant chain located throughout South Africa. It combines traditional, African cuisine with African entertainment. After wine tasting at Spier, we decided to dine at Moyo’s location in Stellenbosch. Take a look in this YouTube video.
VAT is short for Value Added Tax. It’s a tax that’s added onto goods in other countries – in it’s simplest explanation. The United States doesn’t charge VAT, but lots of other countries around the world do? Why does this matter?
Because International Travelers can receive a refund on the VAT they pay when they depart the country. That’s money in your pocket! I like to think of it as a parting gift, a “Thank You for Visiting!”