Friday, November 17, 2017
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Nerve Events: Wellness Festival highlights Diabetes in KZN
Nerve Events: Wellness Festival highlights Diabetes in KZN: On Saturday, November 11, the annual 2017 Durban Wellness Festival 5km walk/run was held - supported by SASA and Lilly to promote gener...
Friday, November 3, 2017
Nerve Events: Wellness Festival draws closer
Nerve Events: Wellness Festival draws closer: Kevin Bouwer (Type 1 Diabetic) with Riley Mc Cabe who will be participating in the Durban Wellness Festival on Saturday, November 11 t...
Friday, October 20, 2017
Nerve Events: Awesome Wellness Festival for Durban
Nerve Events: Awesome Wellness Festival for Durban: Lotus DJ Lloyd Paul and singer songwriter Holly Wasserfall will form part of this years entertainment for the Durban Wellness Festival ...
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Maldivian Airlines to launch new direct flight route to SA
Maldives' national airline, Maldivian Airlines has announced plans to launch a weekly flight between OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Maldives, pending government approval.
Aimed at "making the Indian Ocean Island destination more accessible for South African leisure travellers," the airline has also appointed Perfect Destinations as its general services administration (GSA) in South Africa.
According to the airline, SA travellers can book the - estimated 7.5-hour - flight through major South African tour operators once dates have been announced.
“Dates for the launch of and details about the weekly service will be announced imminently, and we are pleased with the current progress of the technical procedures,” says Shona Pittaway, Managing Director Perfect Destinations.
“This route is several months in the making and has the complete support of the Maldivian government and trade, as well as key South African stakeholders,” she adds.
Director of Perfect Destinations, Zephnie Viljoen says the flight will truly open up the Maldives as an accessible bucket-list destination for South African travellers.
“The new direct flight route will truly open up the Maldives as an affordable and accessible bucket-list destination for South African travellers, and as GSA we will be working hard alongside other tour operators in the South African market to promote it,” she concludes.
The above information was reiterated yesterday (13/09/2017) by Zephnie at the Perfect Destinations Maldives Roadshow held at the Fairmont Hotel in Zimbali KZN which was well attended by local tourism operators
To learn more about this awesome destination contact Perfect Destinations - www.perfectdestinations.co.za
initial source information- Unathi Nkanjeni / traveller24
Monday, August 21, 2017
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Do you have a micro business that specialises in Wellness products
Do you have a micro business that specialises in Wellness and Health products, We would like to hear from you. This years Durban Wellness Festival takes place on Saturday 11th November at the Durban Amphitheatre/Bay of Plenty, and its going to be a long day...
Participants will be able to pre-enter from 10h00 till the run/walk start at 16h00. The event officially opens at 14h00. If you have a small business that specialises in Wellness Products or any other therapeutic product or service which includes "Art" and you would like to promote your product, you may want to take advantage of this event and we would like to hear from you.
Please contact Nerve Events by email - mw.nerve@mweb.co.za outlining your product/service for consideration to be a part of this education campaign for Diabetes and General Wellness and Health.
T&C's Apply
Nerve Events: Durban Wellness Festival - Do you specialise in We...
Nerve Events: Durban Wellness Festival - Do you specialise in We...: Do you have a micro business that specialises in Wellness and Health products, We would like to hear from you. This years Durb...
Monday, July 31, 2017
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Monday, July 10, 2017
Friday, July 7, 2017
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Nerve Events: SAVE THE DATE - Durban Wellness Festival 11 Novemb...
Nerve Events: SAVE THE DATE - Durban Wellness Festival 11 Novemb...: SAVE THE DATE Durban Wellness Festival 11 November 2017 1300 to 18h00 Amphitheatre, Durban Beach Front #DWF
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Friday, June 2, 2017
Monday, May 29, 2017
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Friday, May 5, 2017
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Shimoni - a lost treasure or a hidden gem ?
Update 8 March 2018
A reader and fellow traveller has commented on this article and offers another article for travellers considering the Kenyan Coastline for their next African Adventure. Please click on link below
Shimoni village overlooking Wasini Island
Whilst recently visiting Kenya as part of a familiarisation trip to the country as guests of the Kenyan Tourism Board (KTB), our intrepid host took us on a journey of discovery to the Southern Coastal town of Shimoni which is abutted by an equally alluring island named Wasini. Shimoni is an adventure tourism treasure chest just waiting to be explored either by land or sea.
On first impression, it is clear that this part of Kenya is impoverished with the classic interpretation coming to mind of how poor rural settlements exist. Shimoni has a small working port that relies on ancient wooden Dhow transport ships to ferry goods to Zanzibar.
Unlike Zanzibar that has capitalised on their history of the African slave trade ….Shimoni has a dark past, a story which one does not hear much about. I had never heard of this place or its horrific history revolving around the early Arab slave trade in Africa but….. I am referring to the Shimoni Slave Caves (pictured right).
The Shimoni Slavery Museum is a historic site that is located in the small village of Shimoni on the south coast of Kenya. The name "Shimoni" is a Swahili word that means " place of a hole" or “Inside the hole". It derived this name due to the existence of a complex network of caves along the seashore that were formed as a result of natural forces.
These underground caves resemble an octopus tentacle that snakes through 5 kilometres of hard coral ground under the village of Shimoni. There is a complex of tunnels that was used during the lucrative slave trade period to confine captured slaves before shipment to the slave market in Zanzibar.
Slave traders from Asia settled in Shimoni as the area was strategically placed on the East African Coast and it was conveniently close to the to the Zanzibar slave market.
Taking a walk through the caves, is an overwhelming experience where one will find chains that are still embedded in the walls, which were used to secure and torture the slaves.
The conditions in the caves are beyond comprehension. The stifling heat is the first thing you feel and one can only imagine what the thousands of slaves must have gone through, confined in the heat, without any fresh water, relying on a trough of sea water which ebbed and flowed with the tide and which posed an additional threat of drowning. Tragically thousands of slaves died in these bat infested caves. What unthinkable atrocities too place...
The local village council has opened the caves to the public in order to fund their restoration and to aid students to further their studies, to purchase medicines for the community, to buy food for the deaf community and for other programs that assist the local population.
Shimoni has grown over the years and today one can find other unique attractions and places of interest to visit. These include the Colonial Cemetery, The British Administrative Building, The Colonial District Commissioners Residence, the Old Jetty Bridge, Kichangani Old Residence, beautiful tropical rainforests, a breath-taking view of the Indian Ocean and marine parks, as well as the Wasini Islands.
Shimoni was also of historic importance to the British during World War One, as it was home to a naval base, a Governor’s office as well as a prison. The Garrison room was bombed by the Germans and the ruins are visible to this day.
Shimoni definitely has potential…it borders Wasini Island and a whole network of smaller islands which are laden with reefs, abundant sea and plant life. It is protected and is a diving and snorkelling treasure trove. The area, home to a Kenyan Naval Base, is not only beautiful but one does feel safe walking the cobbled and sandy streets.
A walking tour around the village reveals historical sights which are slowly decaying and modern shack dwellings that are encroaching on these sites…it makes one think that a bit of investment and effort by the local community to protect and maintain these sights is all that is needed to preserve these attractions which are so essential to attract tourists to this village.
We snorkelled the Mpunguti Island reefs that are approximately 10 kms from Wasini in a southerly direction and in view of Tanzania. The ocean has a myriad of different hues of blue denoting the depths and reflecting the raw natural beauty of the area. The abundant sea and plant life on this reef is astounding and one feels perfectly safe. Despite its location in the middle of the Indian Ocean, there are no major predators and the locals comically describe the small reef sharks as vegetarians. One is likely to see bottle nose and humpback dolphins as well as swim with whale sharks. An outing to the reefs requires an entire day and the experience of being transported on a 20 year old Dhow is absolutely worth it.
A late lunch on Wasini Island with excellent sea food, chicken and curries as well as very cold beer wraps up the day…we visited local accommodations and chatted to the local tribal leaders before heading to our comfortable hotel in Diani Beach for the night
Visit Kenya, you will not regret it.
Words and images Paul Godwin
Friday, March 31, 2017
The Masai Mara – a magical adventure playground
Getting into the Masai Mara can be achieved by road or air. We were privileged to fly in by air in a Cessna Caravan. The flight - only 1 hour from Wilson’s airport in Nairobi as opposed to an 8 hour overland trek in a safari van, meant we were still fresh and able to begin our exploration of the bush.
Our accommodation left us
speechless - set into a hillside with 360 degree panoramic views of the Mara - the Serena Mara Hotel is perfectly situated
with clear views over the famous Mara River, which during the migration period
must be an absolutely mind blowing sight to behold.
The Airstrip is about 4km
from the hotel and is what one would expect of a rustic small airport shelter
….including a toilet block. To the amazement of visitors, officials in charge
of the airport have to regularly chase warthog, wildebeest and buffalo that
graze in the area and have no apparent fear of aircraft.
The Mara is all about
spotting game ……and there is plenty of it. Visiting this area in March, which
is actually out of season, did not lessen our chances of seeing big herds of elephant,
buffalo, hippo and numerous other wildlife.
A hot air balloon ride topped
off with a bush breakfast is also a bucket list must. An early five in the
morning start is essential but the small sacrifice is worth it and once aloft
in the magic of the still dawn morning….you fly with the sunrise at your back, soaked
in amazing colours of the bushveld and all one can see is the marvellous game
hiding in the nooks and crannies of the bush, and what a treat to see the shy
animals like the hyena, jackal and hippo…one
hippo incidentally did not take kindly to a blast of gas into the hot air balloon
and caused him or her to scamper through the swamp…so now I can say…It’s true
they run very very fast…..
The balloon only travels approximately
15 feet off the ground and rises to miss the trees. One really feels a part of
nature and it unlocks an emotion in your body that is quite extraordinary. An
average flight takes about 45 minutes and flies in a general direction so there
is no precise science on where you will end up. This means the ground crew have
to watch and anticipate your landing spot as well as fire up the breakfast ! The
bush breakfast held on an open plain with tall grass, ensures you keep one eye
open as it is the perfect hunting ground for lion. Our pilot Mike, an American
from Alaska is sold on Kenya and its easy to see why. He has been flying
balloons since the 70’s and is a great character.
The Masai Mara and in particular
the area traversing the hotel we stayed in the Mara Serena Hotel, is the much
publicised and televised location of the annual migration and our guide takes
you to the crossing points which are always full of crocodile and hippo waiting
for the next meal.
There are numerous types of
lodges in the area including an abundance of tented camps and the area caters
for all types of budgets.
Whilst in the Mara it is
important to visit a Masai cultural village. Here you will be educated on the
story of the Masai, eloquently narrated by a village elder after which there is
a question and answer session – if you don’t ask a question you have to drink a
bowl of cows blood, needless to say our group asked many questions. We are then
guided around the village and shown how to make fire and how the huts are
constructed. Afterwards we are taken to the Masai Market which is basically a
circle in the village with a myriad of ornaments and trinkets available for
purchase. Bartering is the name of the game and one can pick up a good deal in
this manner. The Masai are a proud and intelligent people and they embrace the
tourist dollar without losing the values of the Masai’s histroy and culture
which is vehemently protected and promoted. Donations and profits from the
village we visited had enabled a nursery school to be built in the village.
An interesting fact about the
Masai is that they are citizens of both Kenya and Tanzania and can travel freely
across both borders. They are also allowed to wear their traditional clothing
and weapons wherever they go.
Another must for a visitor to
this area is to enjoy a Bush Sundowner. Drinks and snacks on top of a hill overlooking
the Mara as the sun goes down is exhilarating. Watched over by an armed Masai
Warrior in full regalia who positions himself on a hillock and an armed guard
with a perfectly conditioned .303 Lee Enfield rifle keeping a sharp lookout,
our group enjoyed the scene whilst being caroused by a very talented guitar
player with a voice as smooth as silk….detail is everything.
One thing we learnt in Kenya
is that the hospitality industry takes no short cuts. The service everywhere is
first class and there is a sheer joy in the faces of staff and management while
they do their jobs. The guards are a very good idea….. remembering we are in
the wild….. and as we leave a hyena comes out of the bushes to greet us. Fortunately
we were all on board, but our host was still tidying up !
The Kenyan Tourism Board
employees also exude an exciting and loving passion for their country and the
promotion thereof. The Board’s mantra is Pride of Africa. To this end it is not
hard to see Kenya as the leading tourist destination of Africa in the very near
future just on service deliverables. I also attribute this to a collective
intitiative shown by the board employees and companies they interact with, who
have a willingness to cooperate for the good of Kenya as a whole.
All that is left to say is….consider
Kenya and the Masai Mara as a holiday destination. It is a life changing
experience that one will not regret and Kenya is waiting for you with open arms.
A few useful tips:
Carry a square pronged adaptor for charging your phone
or laptops
Carry US Dollars
Take Malaria tablets
Yellow fever vaccination certificate mandatory
No Visa required for South Africans for up to 30 days
(these rules are subject to change – so please check Kenyan Government website
for updates)
Do not take photographs of Official Government
Buildings and other key point locations and security personnel
Vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road
Do not drink tap water, hotels provide bottled water
All signage is in English (Road signs and advertising)
Swahili is the main local language but many people
speak English
Smoking in public places including sidewalks is
prohibited
Wi-Fi is very good and free at most hotels and lodges
Leave only your footprints
Footnote:
This is the second of four stories written by Paul
Godwin on his recent trip and experience to Kenya as part of a familiarization
team from South Africa and guests of the Kenyan Tourism Board to promote
tourism, professional conferencing and tourism business opportunities, stories
to follow:
Day tripping
in Nairobi
South Coast
Magic – Diani and surrounds
Shimoni a place with dreams
Words and photographs - Paul Godwin/Nerve Communications
Words and photographs - Paul Godwin/Nerve Communications
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Day Tripping In Nairobi - an East African Adventure
Day Tripping In Nairobi
By Paul
Godwin
Visiting
Nairobi as a tourist on a short stay has some exceptional places of interest
that one can cover in a day or two. Using Nairobi as a connection point, as
opposed to Dubai, might be a preferred option for South African Travellers who
love African culture and amazing wildlife right on the City’s doorstep.
There are
numerous hotels of all categories in Nairobi some within the airport precinct
and others in the City Centre. Our group stayed in the Sarova Stanley Hotel in the heart of the City. This historical and
beautiful hotel captures the previous colonial influence of the country
perfectly. Opened in 1902 it is the hotel which housed the first Nairobi Stock
Exchange, the first Tusker Beer was enjoyed in what became known as the
Exchange Bar and numerous celebrities and historical figures have stayed at the
hotel over the decades. Distinguished guests such as Clark Gable, Ernest
Hemingway, Michael Caine, Sidney Poitier, Sean Connery and Frank Sinatra to
name a few….
The Sarova
Stanley Hotel is a stone’s throw away from the International Conference Centre,
Parliament Buildings and Law Courts as well as a short walk to the University
of Nairobi.
Working with an
approved tour guide is recommended especially for the wealth of general
knowledge about the country and tips on how to make your visit as comfortable
as possible. There are many safari tour companies based in Kenya and in
Nairobi. Our guides spoke perfect English and were impressive in their
knowledge of the local flora and fauna as well as the history of Kenya which
they embrace. The Kenyan people are warm friendly, educated and proud of their
country and love showing it off.
The Nairobi
National Park borders the city and once again there are many hotels bordering
the park. We visited the Ole-Sereni Hotel – which incidentally is the old US
Embassy and then was converted into this hotel. All the security measures used
by the US Embassy were left in place. This is a fabulous hotel with conference
facilities, fantastic spacious rooms, pool deck and bars overlooking the
reserve and yes all one can see is wildlife and nature……
One will be
impressed by the many road side nurseries peppered along the roads in the
suburbs and the city centers…..it is very much a part of the Kenyan Culture and
it forms part of informal business with locals selling plants to passersby.
It is
interesting to learn that the youth in Kenya are taught at a very early age to
respect nature and to cultivate plants including food plants. They are taught the
importance of the eco system and nature in general and these youth become the
future caretakers of the wildlife and vegetation in Kenya. This was very
evident in the school outings we witnessed at the sanctuaries, where we
observed the future generations intently listening and engaging with the educators.
Emily Wilson from Travel Again Tours
Johannesburg was part of the familiarization team and was also mesmerized by
the reception we all received and commented :
‘’Kenya, a country which exudes a warmth and
deep respect from their people, for their wild life and toward travelers
visiting from around the globe. Their excellent hospitality is second to none
and diligent conservation allows travelers to enjoy a unique and rewarding trip
as a whole. There is an obvious pride in Kenyans. They have embraced old world
colonialism as part of their history and have kept parts of that time alive
resulting in a refined and well educated African nation. I can only agree with
Kenyan Airlines slogan, ‘ Kenya the Pride of Africa’. I would recommend fellow
Africans to have a good look at Kenya as a holiday destination. It may surprise
you that there is a magical place just waiting to be explored right on your
doorstep!
A must see is
the David Sheldrick Wildlife
Trust which is in the Nairobi National Park. Born from one family’s passion for
Kenya and its wilderness, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is today the most
successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and
one of the pioneering conservation organisations for wildlife and habitat
protection in East Africa. Founded in 1977 by Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick D.B.E, in honour of the memory of her
late husband, famous naturalist and founding Warden of Tsavo East National
Park, David Leslie William Sheldrick
MBE, the DSWT claims a rich and deeply rooted history in wildlife and
conservation.
This visit was totally
inspiring and was the preamble to what would become six days of wonderment for
our intrepid crew,
Next was the Giraffe Centre…if
you have ever felt the need to feed a giraffe, well your dream can come true
here. A totally amazing experience of interacting with the giraffe can be
enjoyed. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe Centre are a must do for any
visitor to Kenya
Lunch at the Tamambo Karen
Blixen Coffee Garden and supper at Carnivore Restaurant will totally complete your dining experience for a day
trip to Nairobi.
Karen Blixen has become a
revered figure in daily Kenyan life with a whole district named in her honour.
Her legacy is huge which makes a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum an absolute
must. The Blixen home is in its original state and is a true mirror of colonial
Africa and the lifestyle of European settlers of the period. The museum staff
is extremely knowledgeable on the subject and the museum even has the costumes
worn by Meryl Streep and Robert Redford on display from the screen adaptation
of Karen’s famous book “ Out of Africa “.
There are many markets where
one can pick up some lovely gifts and negotiation is the name of the game. Kenya’s
currency is Shillings but the locals are well versed and prefer the US Dollar !
Kenya has a warm climate so
be prepared and you will need a yellow fever vaccination and a course of
malaria tablets. Supermarkets and shopping
malls are abundant and the local chain stores utilize shillings, Vat is
included in the price shown on products.
Kenya manufactures many of
its own products and for our “tribe” - coffee and tea was top of the list. For
the beer drinker there are some really good beers such as Tusker, White Cap,
Allsops and Pilsners - a truly quality and thirst quenching beverage.
One will find the Kenyan
people truly friendly and are extremely proud of their country. An observation
is the poor road and pavement infrastructure however this has not stopped the authorities
from keeping the City of Nairobi devoid of any litter – the streets are always
clean.
One of the friendly waitresses
at the Stanley Hotel she had this to say. “ I could sit at home all day and
wait for a job, but I chose to go out and look for employment and work hard. I
believe if God sees me working hard He will reward me in the future” …..with locals
exuding this attitude, Kenya can only
prosper in the future and enforces the mantra of Kenya espousing to be the
“Pride of Africa”
Kenya is open for business,
so if you are looking to open a business in any field, they are listening and
would love to hear from you.
Would I recommend Kenya as
a destination ? Absolutely and unequivocally - Yes!
A few useful tips :
Carry a square pronged
adaptor for charging your phone or laptops
Carry US Dollars
Take Malaria tablets
Yellow fever vaccination
certificate mandatory
No Visa required for South
Africans for up to 30 days (these rules are subject to change – so please check
Kenyan Government websites for updates)
Do not take photographs of
Official Government Buildings and other key point locations including
universities and security personnel
Vehicles drive on Left hand
side of Road
Do not drink tap water, hotels
provide bottled water
All signage is in English
(Road signs and advertising)
Swahili is the main local
language but many people speak English
Smoking in public places
including sidewalks is prohibited
WiFi is very good and free
at most hotels and lodges
Leave only your footprints
Footnote :
This is the first of four
stories written by Paul Godwin on his recent trip to Kenya as part of a
familiarization team from South Africa and guests of the Kenyan Tourism Board
to promote tourism, professional conferencing and tourism business
opportunities,
Stories to follow:
Fantasy and fun – The Mara
South Coast Magic – Diani
Shimoni Slave Caves – Village of hope
Words and photographs - Paul Godwin/Nerve Communications
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