Without having a goal it’s difficult to score in life ...

Newsletter 43  |  April 2005

P.O. Box 13600, NOORDSTAD, 9302          E-mail: info@etniquetravel.co.za
Tel: (051) 406 2500                    Fax: (051) 436 3793

To receive our monthly newsletter electronically please send an e-mail to info@etniquetravel.co.za

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER:  083 461 2561

Everyone in travel who recently attended the 45^th ANNUAL ASATA CONGRESS at the Victoria Falls in Zambia will agree that it was an exceptional experience: the excellent professional speakers, each a specialist on their subject, the opportunity to network with all in the travel industry, and then the wonderful and friendly Zambian people and the beauty of one of nature’s wonders of the world.

It was such a well-balanced congress: interesting discussion subjects, enough free time to experience the falls, time to digest the day’s activities and most entertaining evening events, hosted by SAA (opening evening), VIRGIN ATLANTIC (a party with Mr Higgins/Irish evening) and DINERSCLUB (award’s evening). Congratulations to Vanya, Jacqui and the ASATA team for your initiative. And with the flair of Michael Jackson (acclaimed by Madiba as our “national treasure”) as MC, even tense and heated panel-discussion sessions were steered to calm waters!

To many a delegate the Virgin Atlantic “surprise evening” was yet again a fun filled evening of delight. The toys for boys on the tables created the opportunity to “gun down controversial figures” with water pistols. Thank you Mike Higgins of Virgin for the fun your team brought to the congress!

And to the winners at the Diners Club Awards evening, hosted by Robyn Christie, our industry’s sincerest congratulations:

• British Airways: International Airline
• BA/Comair: Domestic Airline
• SAA: African Airline
• Southern Sun: South African Hotel Group
• Thompsons Tours: Tour Operator
•  Avis: Car Rental  
   

Castles of Bavaria

After our uplifting religious experiences, as discussed in our previous newsletter, we did not stay over in Füssen, as we intended to do, but in a guest house in a small village about a kilometer or two away from the enchanting castle Neuschwanstein - King Ludwig’s masterpiece - with imposingly towers high above the valley below.

King Ludwig was an enigmatic person; someone who became king at the age of 18, but who soon became alienated from his royal duties, escaping into worlds of the imagination which he tried to create by building extraordinary castles. In them the influence of Wagner’s operas, in which he saw all his romantic dreams realized, is remarkably noticeable.

- Manie Wolvaardt

The World’s Greatest Monument to Love

A visit to India will never be complete without experiencing the TAJ MAHAL in Agra, some 4 hours drive by bus south-east of Delhi. We left Delhi early morning before the peak traffic rush – understandably! Our  bus driver used all his Delhi driving skills to navigate us through back short cut streets, before reaching the main road to Agra.

Needless to say, the trip through many a small rural village tested our nerves: by hooting, one vehicle indicates to the obstructing vehicle in front, it is in the process of passing, regardless the space or lane width available.
 

On route, we had the opportunity to experience some very typical Indian traditions: a snake dancer, displaying the king cobra on the sound of awkward flute music, street side restaurants specializing in parantbas, roadside tea stalls serving the locals, and the traditional elephant, much smaller than the African counterpart, being utilised for transportation. When reaching Agra, nothing can adequately prepare the visitor for the first glimpse of the Taj Mahal. A few other man made structures fall within the same “must see” category: perhaps Machu Pichu in Peru, the Acropolis in Athens, or the Great Wall of China. Built by the great Moghul emperor Shah Jahan to honour his beloved queen, who died while giving birth to their 14th child, it is the embodiment of grace and romance, of balance and symmetry, an architectural icon revered for three and a half centuries as the most beautiful building in the world.

The English novelist and poet, Rudyard Kipling, said of the Taj after his first visit: “As the mists shifted, and the sun shone upon the mists, the Taj took a hundred new shapes, each perfect and each beyond description. And over and above concrete comparisons, it seemed the embodiment of all things pure, all things holy and all things unhappy.” The white marble of the Taj is extraordinary luminescent and even on dull days seems bright; the whole building appears to change its hue according to the light in the sky. In the unique beauty, subtlety is blended with grandeur and a massive overall design is matched with immaculately intricate execution and attention to detail.

The camera might record but only an aspect of its outward truth, its totality, the real spirit remaining beyond its focus:  a prayer, a vision, a dream, a poem, a wonder magical memory to take home and nurse forever…

- Johann Beukes

Nothing is more rewarding for a service provider, than when clients spontaneously respond on special service levels provided. We always appreciate comments of appreciation, but however would also respond to constructive comments and criticism. The following are  examples of satisfied clients saying more than just thank you.

• “Thanks Persi for everything. You are really helpful when I need you early or late - you’re always there for me. I am so stranded if you don’t pick up the phone. You’re a real darling.”
  Beverley Adolf - Free State Legislature, Bloemfontein
   

• “Hi Tessa, the time clock is starting to get back to normal at long last!!!I came back to a full first day in the office with the inevitable “hangovers” that needed urgent attention and an afternoon’s preparation for a workshop this coming week. Next day was across in Maseru, and back to Deeds Office etc yesterday morning.
  So not much breathing space was available to do what I wanted to do and needed to do, in particular call you to say I am back safely (even if with a stomach bug!) and a very BIG THANK YOU for all your efforts and arrangements.
  The travel went well, with the trip there surprisingly short, with the return trip being considerably longer. I did not use the Premier Lounge facility on my way out per chance, and was very glad to have a reviving shower in Johannesburg on my way back.
  I took a shuttle from the airport to Circular Quay (City centre) and the ferry out to Manly, which was cost- effective and about 30 minutes longer, but a great way to get a taste of Sydney harbour, with views of the bridge, the Opera House, and the general layout. The accommodation was very good and well located immediately opposite the Manly Wharf, so no lugging of luggage for long distances.
  It was a constructive and an enjoyable week with varying weather, but generally fine. Manly is very village-like. It is about 30 minutes across the water to Sydney proper on a very scenic restful trip, thus very manageable to and from the zoo, the Opera House and sight seeing around Sydney.
  I shall pop in sometime to chat some more about the trip, the do’s and don’ts, and other useful information for future clients … no commission required!! Once again, thank you for packaging it all.”
  Mark Webber - Attorney 

• “Dear Tessa,  thank you - it was wonderful and such a different culture. Learned so much about that area that I was really ignorant about.
  The time after the summit was fun; we booked a motel room in the old centre of Seoul which was really convenient for the subway, airport bus and access to the main palaces, Korean village and a Buddhist temple but…. Found out later it was known as the “Love Motel” which explained the vending machines , videos and strange-looking wooden “sculptures” on the landings! However, it was cheap, clean and central so we stayed and had a good laugh about it! Also learned to karaoke in Korea ! This old dog is learning lots of new tricks!
  Cathay Pacific was lovely - comfortable leg space, open seats next to me and nice meals.
  Thanks for everything- will be in touch with some more travel needs soon!”
  Joan Marston - Hospice Palliative SA  

• USA ENTHUSIASM
  “Hi Tessa, back in sunny, warm South Africa, exhausted but well satisfied with an awesome trip.  On our arrival in Minneapolis it was snowing and it did not let up until the day before we left. The Big Ten Swimming Championships were an unique experience - the standard far above anything in South Africa. It was great to meet all the swimmers and parents. Everyone was very hospitable and made us feel right at home. Rudolf did very well, swimming personal best times in all his races. Many USA Olympic swimmers took part. The facilities in America are unbelievable. Pieter has seen the Sydney Olympic pool and says that the pool at Minneapolis is just as good if not better.
  The MSU campus in Lansing is beautiful. As an ex-Stellenbosch student I always claimed it is the ultimate campus, but MSU is even better. Again lot of snow - by this time I thought I would never “defrost” again.
   New York is ‘sui generius’ - unique, a venue to be experienced and treasured. There are not enough adjectives in the English vocabulary to describe to describe it. Known as “the city that never sleeps”, its teeming streets offer both sophistication and slums; they are common ground for moguls and sheiks, artists and artisans, jet setters and immigrants, struggling members of the working class and corporate “Masters of the Universe”. It is a shopping paradise - I spoilt the children, much to Pieter’s disapproval - and found the clothes much cheaper than in South Africa. They have stunning clothes that we don’t seem to get at home. The only thing I did not like about the States is the food. GROSS! The helpings are huge - no wonder the statistics show that 85% of young people between the age of 14 and 25 are obese. Everyone seems to be walking with ever-present take-aways in hand. In the more classy restaurants the food is more to my liking but then also pretty expensive.
  We saw the musicals Mama Mia and Rent on Broadway. Fantastic. The Edison Hotel is right on Broadway and very central for all main sightseeing attractions. The USA was awesome.
  After all this the UK was a bit of an anti-climax although it was wonderful to see Natalia and spend some time with my sister and her family. We stayed with them and had the use of one of their cars which made getting around very easy. In London the underground and buses are still the best. I have forgotten how vibrant and alive London is although coming second after New York. We saw the Lion King – fantastic as you will know - and We Will Rock You. The latter is outstanding, a smash hit and spectacular. The songs remind you just how fabulous Queen were. What an evening . It is sensational, brilliant, stunning! I have always been a huge Queen fan so for me it had a special kind of magic. We revisited Bath, Stratford on Avon, Oxford and the Cotswolds again - still all well worth seeing. Natalia always complains about how expensive the UK is - well, we certainly experienced that first hand.
  South Africa is still the land of milk and honey (excuse the cliché). Everything is obscenely expensive. You have to earn mega bucks in the UK if you want the high standard of living we enjoy in South Africa.
  Tessa, I could carry on forever about our trip. In one word - AWESOME!! Thanks again for your input and all the trouble you took to make everything run smoothly. All your reservations were perfect.”
  Peter & Natalia Wagenaar  :  Harrismith