“The real voyage of discovery
consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes”
Newsletter 72 | October 2007
P.O. Box 13600, NOORDSTAD, 9302 E-mail:
info@etniquetravel.co.za
Tel: (051) 406 2500
Fax: (051) 436 3793
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER:
083 461 2561
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SPRINGTIME SURPRISES @
ETNIQUE |
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It was almost as if winter
would remain part of our daily routine, when springtime arrived with
all its freshness and vigour! At SURE ETNIQUE TRAVEL spring has also
brought its own surprises: four new mothers in four months! We
obviously share in their joy, but without doubt it also puts huge
pressure on the remaining staff and our level of professional
service.
Lizelle’s little boy
arrived in August and Maquida, Marié and Sheila are expecting their
newly borns within the next few weeks. Every one will be back in
January 2008, except Marié who has resigned. We would like to wish
her the best with her plans in the future and on behalf of all her
travel customers would like to thank her for her loyal service over
the past few years.
We are fully aware that
some hiccups could occur, and therefore would like to urge you to
understand and bear with us and also communicate any problem
immediately.
In the challenging times
and ever-changing travel environment, we have also focused our
short-term mission on training and professional service: to address
those specific travel-related aspects of our customers, not easily
available on the internet, technical issues with rules of service
providers as well as the compilation of detailed itineraries of
groups and individuals.
Should you experience any
problem or have any queries not immediately addressed, please feel
free to contact me directly.
- Johann Beukes
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IRELAND BREAKAWAY:
One Island, Two Countries |
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Few people arrive in
Ireland without some preconceived notions, as the reputation of this
small exposed island in the North Atlantic is surprisingly strong
around the world: on the sports fields, the friendly people and the
astonishing scenic beauty. The Ireland most people elsewhere in the
world hear about in the media, is still partly divided with
sectarian divisions; visitors are warned to be careful how they
partake in discussions –
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the Ireland
which greets their eyes is a very different place: the quiet,
glowing beauty of a magical countryside, the stylish and formal
architecture and vigorous life of the small towns, the charm and
wit of a warm-hearted population - these all make the first and
lasting impression. Today still a huge distinction exists
between the independent Republic of Ireland (Dublin) and
Northern Ireland (Belfast) which still falls under the United
Kingdom.
I had the fortunate opportunity to attend the first two RWC
matches of South Africa with my son in Paris. The atmosphere and
presence of especially the England match at Stade de France was
exceptional; even more noticeable was the disciplined and
orderly manner in which the transport systems function in Paris:
within an hour and a half the four metro stations and trains had
coped with all of the 80 000 spectators.
The subtle but firm control of patrolling police present
everywhere ensures an enjoyable time both on the stands and
elsewhere in the city; with our own 2010 Football World Cup
around the corner, much can be learned from the French. |
Between the two
exciting matches, we decided to travel through Northern Ireland,
connecting through Dublin on Ryanair. Despite the normal
preconceived idea of a delayed low-cost carrier, the flights in and
out Beauvais Airport, some 2 hours drive north of Paris, were good.
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Driving north
from Dublin International Airport, we soon reached Newry by main
road; from here we took the scenic route along the
Carlingford Lough, the coastline with the Mourne
Mountains on the inner side. Lough Strangford
divides the Lecale and Ards Peninsulas, with a
short car ferry crossing at Portaferry.
The surroundings were highlighted by sandy beaches, small
fishing villages, like Portavogie (popular for its
prawns), or Kearney (restored to its original beauty) with the
typical Irish bar in the main street, serving a well-prepared
meal with some ale pies and a pint of Guinness
stout. |
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Belfast
is still
Northern Ireland’s biggest, most important and lively University
City: A stroll in the area around the Royal Academic Institute
and Donegal Square with the monumental Georgian City Hall, will
reveal much of the present Belfast and its people: modern shops
and restaurants in restored historic buildings, young people
rushing to destinations in contrast to other sitting in quiet
public gardens, to fight the rush hour. For the first time
tourist, the popular open deck sightseeing bus or a river cruise
on the Lagan are both good ways of familiarising yourself with
the city. |
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North of Belfast,
the Antrim Coast is especially striking for its cliffs, bluffs,
headlands and glen mouths: the popular scenic road along the
Glens of Antrim offers some of Northern Irelands most
popular natural beauty: if lucky, you may even spot some whales
nearby. Take the detour into the Glenariff Forest Park,
with the tranquil cascading waterfalls.
The Cliffs of Moher
on the west coast of Ireland are a well-known photo-spot, but the
cliffs of Benmore and Torr Head, on the
north-eastern tip of Ireland, are on a less visited road.
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Further north is
the
Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge,
swinging over a 25 metre chasm to an island salmon fishery.
Surely not for those with vertigo or the faint-hearted!
However, one of
the most visited natural wonder sites of Northern Ireland, the
UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway consists
of an astonishing assembly of more than 40 000 basalt columns,
mostly perfect hexagonals formed by the cooling of molten lava. |
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The small town
of
Bushmills
has an attractive square and is popular for salmon and trout
fishing in its river; but the main claim to fame is its whiskey
distillery: the world oldest whiskey-making license (1608). A
visit is well worth the while.
But it was our special stay at the Bushmills Inn,
sipping on a glass of Black Bush single malt on the rocks, in
the cosy pub with open fire, which will be a pleasant memory in
years to come. |
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The next morning
the weather cleared when we drove into
Londonderry,
energetic, creative and confident Within the angle of Butcher
and Shipquay Streets, small workshops rub shoulders with cafés,
wine bars and trendy eateries. The street of pubs is Waterloo
street, where great traditional and modern music are found in
the bars. On route to Donegal, a stop at the stone
structures of Grainan of Aileach reminds one of
the Stonehenge.
The jewel town of our Northern visit will always be Ardara.
This secluded town near Loughros More Bay is
the weaving capital of Ireland and has a proliferation
of shops selling locally made tweeds and hand-knitted sweaters.
Eddie Doherty represents the third generation in his little
yellow-door shop in the main street. |
The
picturesque town of Ardara - home of tweed
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We stayed at the
beautiful 19th century family-run hotel, the
Nesbitt Arms, situated in the main street. That evening
we enjoyed a typical Irish pub dinner in the Weavers Bistro.
While enjoying the home made food, a local vocalist on her
fiddle displayed why the Irish are so highly regarded as
performing artists. When staying in a traditional little town on
a secluded detour road, you will almost always experience the
real feeling of the vibe of the locals. Ardara was no exception.
During October
the community of Ardara presents the Céili Ardara,
a traditional barn and set dancing exhibition. |
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The last visual
experience on our route back to Dublin was Lough Erne.
As one drives along the ever-changing shoreline, scenes of
beauty unfold emphasizing tranquility and colour. Many fancy
golf estates and yacht clubs are situated on the luscious banks
of the inland lake, which makes it an ideal week-end escape for
city-dwellers. |
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Our journey
through Northern Ireland took us along small and detoured roads
- off the beaten track - where we experienced the
real
Ireland
with people full of humour and generosity. It has been always my
philosophy that you can only feel a country, if you have
mixed with the local people in the small and secluded villages,
enjoy their stories and breathe their air!
- Johann Beukes |
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Letters from our Customers: |
We’re listening to what YOU have
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for their professional and efficient service at all times!
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them!
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HEATHROW GOES
THROUGH CHANGES
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WITH only six
months to go to the opening of Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5,
passengers are being enlisted to test every aspect of the new
building, including car parking, check-in, baggage systems and
security. The British Airports Authority (BAA) will open the airport
on March 27, 2008, with next generation security screening
equipment, the biggest, single-terminal baggage handling system in
Europe and a dedicated railway station with six platforms included
in the improved facilities.
The Heathrow
Express will no longer stop at the airport’s Terminal 4, when
Terminal 5 opens next March. BAA is also re-developing Terminal 3,
and when Terminal 5 opens, Terminals 1 and 4 will be redeveloped. A
new, environmentally efficient terminal called Heathrow East
(replacing Terminal 2 and The Queens Building). Meanwhile, Heathrow
Airport has been testing the lifting of the hand luggage limit.
Connecting travellers have since August been allowed to take as much
hand luggage as they wish within the required size limit. The trial
period ended last week and the UK Department of Transport could lift
their hand luggage restriction, limiting travellers departing from
the UK to one piece.
Undoubtedly one
of the most pleasing modes of travel is by train. Even nowadays,
with the disappearance of the romance of the steam train, railway
journeys continue to exercise an immense appeal. It gives the
traveller the freedom of moving around in the coaches, the luxury of
not having to pack and unpack luggage all the time, of staring out
of the window at the endless changing of landscapes or stretching
yourself out on a bed to arrive at a destination refreshed. You see
and experience a country away from the main highways and tourist
attractions, and gain an insight into the everyday life of the
people in the different countries through which you travel.
Although I’ve
travelled on many trains over the years, I still have a longing to
undertake a few special journeys on exceptional trains. Therefore
I’ve started doing some research. My sources of information were
mainly the new series published by Rough Guides, under the
title of 25 Ultimate Experiences, especially from the one
named Journeys, as well as the Discovery Channels’
Insight Guides publication Great Railway Journeys (GRJ);
also the latest information gained via the internet. In this short
article I’m mentioning just the essence of the following which
appealed to me, but I’m sure that it will also whet you appetite.
Those of you who were already so fortunate as to have undertaken one
or more of them, please let me know about your experience!
A one day luxury and scenic trip:
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Switzerland’s Glacier Express between St Moritz and
Zermatt, indicated by the RG as “the peak of perfection”,
and as to be
“in
the top 10 of a pantheon of the world’s great train journeys”
(GRJ).
It is
sometimes referred to as
“the
world’s slowest express train”,
with an
average of only 36 km/h during the 8-hour trip of 275 km. It
traverses 291 bridges and creeps through 91 tunnels, reaching a
peak elevation of 2 033 meters at the Oberalp Pass.
State-of-the-art panorama cars with vast windows attribute to
passengers not feeling
“like
passengers, stuck behind glass, but rather travellers, engaged
in the scenery”
(RG). Apart from the scenic wonders, passengers are
treated to a luxurious meal. Wine can be sipped from glasses
with angled stems, due to the steepness of the gradient!
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A historic and luxurious journey:
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: The website (www.orient-express.com)
boasts this train to be
“the
world’s most celebrated”, and quotes the
Mail on Sunday,
January 2006,
writing:
“For
brag ability there is nothing to beat a journey on the legendary
train… The very name Orient-Express conjures up glamour, opulence
and extravagance”.
The two-day trip departs from London, the first dinner sitting is
completed before it pulls into Paris, breakfast is served in the
Swiss Alps, before descending via Austria into Italy, to finally
arrive in Venice. The gleaming royal blue and gold carriages, with
their plush upholstery, the restaurant cars with magnificent
surroundings and epicurean delights and fine wines, carries an aura
of stately elegance (GRJ).
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A journey up to
the arctic:
The Inlandsbanan (Inland Railway) of Sweden, is described
on the website (www.inlandsbanan.se)
as Grand Nordic Travel at its best, and
“offers
all that a traveler needs, whilst you can relax, experience
things, meet people and taste what nature has to offer”.
It runs from Kristineham in the south (near Karlstad) to
Gällivare, north of the Arctic Circle - a total of 1 300 km.
through what is termed “Europe’s last wilderness” (GTJ).
I’ve travelled through Värmland in the south by car, but the
urge to discover the northern region, especially Lapland, has
never left me. Perhaps I could, en route, stay over at the Ice
Hotel, or be lucky enough to take a snapshot of Father Christmas
and his sleigh for my grandchildren during such a journey! |
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A lengthy journey traversing most
of a continent:
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The
Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest continuous rail line
in the world, built between 1891 and 1916 to connect the Russian
capital Moscow with Beijing, China. This epic journey of almost
10 000 km. - more than one third of the globe - has long been
”an almost mythical experience”, seven days ”of almost continual
movement through the vast expanse of Russia”
(www.geographia.com).
The great
pleasure of the journey is simply sitting back and watching the
land go by. However, says the website, what also makes it an
unforgettable experience, is the interaction with other
passengers, both Russians and tourists. And it is possible to
enjoy stopovers in many of the Russian cities and towns along
the route. |
- Manie Wolvaardt |
