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So often one experiences travel occurrences that you know and advise all your clients to be careful and NEVER to be caught red-handedly – though you always think that it would never happen to you. Despite your so called preferential knowledge and experience, you unfortunately have to admit: Yes we have been also caught in the same old trap:

  • When checking in at Bloemfontein Airport, contrary to all advice and travel knowledge, we wisely decided to book our three suitcases through to London, with a connecting flight to Copenhagen the next day to embark on a ten-day Baltic Cruise. When checking in at the counter of SAA in Johannesburg, we even reconfirmed that all three suitcases with reference numbers issued in Bloemfontein were on the same flight SA 236. Needless to say, when we arrived at London Heathrow the next morning, only two of the suitcases were on the carousel. Luckily we received a phone call from the offices of 1TIME in Cape Town to confirm that the suitcase was apparently with them; how it ended up in Cape Town, since 1TIME do not even fly the Bloemfontein route, is still a mystery. We received the missing suitcase in London, just in time for our onward flight to Denmark. Only the fact that it was a hard-top locked suitcase saved the contents unharmed!

  • As neither Scandinavian Airlines, nor Air Baltic has representation in South Africa, we bought our London/Copenhagen and Copenhagen/Riga return tickets through the internet. The first been operated by SAS and the latter a code share flight with Baltic. On our return, almost four hours were allowed between arrival at Copenhagen from Riga and departure again from Copenhagen to London. Our first flight was delayed, due to heavy storms, and we were forced to purchase new tickets from Copenhagen, with no recourse for the unused tickets. The reason: it was two separately purchased tickets on the internet.

  • Upon our return back in South Africa, on Sunday 14 June, and despite the fact that it was the first day of the Confederation Cup in Johannesburg, we, and the passengers of three other international arriving flights, were met by only three unfriendly custom officials in the arrival’s hall. Despite the fact that our luggage was labelled priority from London, it only arrived as the last on the carousel.

  • Because the domestic flight from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein is a small 50-seater DASH, we decided to book in the vanity suitcase, containing clothes; unfortunately flight SA 1021 was also delayed by an hour. When we eventually arrived in Bloemfontein, all three locks were forcefully removed and some of the clothing was pinched from the bag. The moral of the story: never use a soft zipped (even if it’s locked) suitcase within South Africa. It is a pity to realise that, though you have travelled to eleven countries, even with warnings of pick-pocketing, it is back in our own country that you have to face with crime!

It is such a pity that, despite all the wonderful promises by our politicians, we still have not addressed crime at our airports! And the FIFA World Cup lures around the corner.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                        -  Johann  Beukes
 

"The pessimist complains about the wind.
The optimist expects it to change.
The leader adjusts the sails."
John Maxwell
 
        Visit our website @ www.etniquetravel.co.za

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Numerous books have been written about the splendour of France. Amongst the many special places to be visited the following have made an indelible impression on my mind, namely a spectacular natural wonder, an impressive religious centre, and an old city.

Gorges du Verdon

High up in the Haut-Var region of Provence lies the natural wonder of a vast canyon cut over the millennia into the limestone rock of the plateau by the Verdon River, a tributary of the Durance river. Forming the largest gorge in Europe, it is about 25 km. long, at places up to 1 500 m deep, with high cliffs on both sides of the ravine, with a width of between 6 and 100 m at the bottom and 200 to 1500 m at the top. Some of the cliffs have heart-stopping drops of more than 700 m down to the twisting ribbon of water below.

The water of the Verdon river has a bright, jewel-like turquoise and emerald colour due to mineral residue. Where it stumbles over rapids, it has a glassy and crystalline quality. At the end of the gorge it flows into the azure-blue man-made lake, the Lac de Sainte-Croix, the largest reservoir in France.

The gorge stretches from Castellane in the north-east to Lac de Sainte-Croix in the west. Roads follow the winding gorge on both sides. From Castellan you travel along a pre-gorge section to Pont de Soleils, where you can either take the northern route to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, as we did, or the southern route, which will take you to the Pont de Galetas, where the Verdon enters the Lac de Sainte-Croix. From here you can continue to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.

One of the most extraordinary views along the northern route, is to be found at Point Sublime, where you gaze out over a sheer drop down to the course of the river below. A few km further along the road you may easily miss the turn-off to the D23 loop, called the Routes de Cretes, with hairpin bends and scary strips where it runs along the rim of the canyon. Breathtaking views await you, such as from the top of the 700 m high Pas de la Baou.

The southern route, known as the Corniche Sublime, also has a number of spectacular viewpoints, such as the Falaise de Cavaliers, a colossal cliff towering above the gorge. From here we watched two pairs of big raptors soaring along the cliffs, whilst rock climbers, looking like miniature figures, scaled the precipice.

Different sporting activities are undertaken in the gorge, such as rock-climbing or hiking along the different trails, some of them guided. Rafting or canoeing trips are also extremely popular. It was interesting to see a number of canoes daringly riding some of the rapids where the river gushes forth over the rocks just next to the road. In the lower reaches where the river enters the Lac de St-Croix, there are gentler strips where small boats and canoes lazily drift on the quiet waters.          

The two historic towns at the eastern and western ends of the gorge are also well worth a visit. In Castellane impressive ramparts from the 14th and  15th centuries can still be seen, like an ancient clock tower and gate. The Eglise St-Victor church dates from the late 12th century. The town is dominated by a sheer rock escarpment of 184 m, called the Roc, which was utilized by the inhabitants of the town as a stronghold against the enemy. Perched on the rock is the chapel called the Notre-Dame-du-roc built in the 18th century.

   

Moustiers Sainte-Marie is built on the edge of a crevasse, between towering crests high above, with a stream descending through the town by way of a number of waterfalls. Between the two sides of the ravine, high above the town, a 227 m long chain with a golden star in the middle is suspended.

Legend has it that a prisoner of the Saracens during the Crusades vowed that should he see his home town again, he would hang a star from his coat of arms above it. The star was stolen during earlier ages, but was replaced in 1957.

   

Moustiers Sainte-Marie is famous for its ornate, glazed and delicately painted earthenware, called faience, usually decorated with floral designs and country scenes. The manufacturing secrets were brought over in the 17th century from the town of Faence in Italy. The streets of the town are lined with shops selling them, but one must be aware that some might today be of inferior quality. It could be wise to first visit the museum were examples from the illustrious past are displayed, before choosing what and where to buy.   

Mont-St-Michel

One of the most iconic images of France is to be found off the coast of Normandy in northwest France. Pictures do not really prepare you for the sight itself – the massive Gothic abbey surrounded by ramparts on the 80 m high rocky islet of about 900 m circumference rising from the bay, 1 km from the mainland. It was previously only reachable at low tide by way of a thin natural land bridge, but since 1879 a causeway links it to the mainland. It was classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979.

Its history dates back to the 8th century, when, according to legend, the Archangel, St. Michael, appeared to the bishop of the region, and instructed him to build an oratory on the island. This was later replaced by the Gothic-style abbey (built between the 11th and 12th centuries), whilst a number of impressive buildings were added until the 16th century.

The construction of the abbey complex is regarded as an amazing achievement, because big blocks of granite were brought from the mainland, and since the crest of the island was so steep, special foundations had to be built from underground crypts to support the buildings above.

The La Merveille Buildings (1211 - 1228) on the northern face comprise of the eastern block, with a cellar, a Guest’s Hall and a refectory, one above the other. The western block consists of the Cloister, with the Knight’s Hall and the cellars below. The Gothic style of the interior takes you back to the Middle Ages. From the West Platform one has an extensive view of the bay below. From the time of the Revolution, the abbey was converted into a prison with the prisoners held in the dungeons below.

Massive ramparts surround the village below the abbey complex. Only one gate gives access into a courtyard, where you will find the Tourist Centre. From here you enter another courtyard and a third gate, and then on to a narrow street, the Grande-Rue, with numerous small shops. From here a flight of steps leads you upwards to the abbey itself, which can be explored level by level.

The village itself is also interesting. A walk on the ramparts offers vast views of the bay, whilst the Archéoscope gives a glimpse into the history of the mount and the construction of the buildings. The chapels of the parish church from the 11th century, the Église paroissiale St-Pierre, houses memorable statues, like that of St. Michael slaying the dragon.  

It is advisable to visit Mont-St-Michel early or late in the day in order to walk the narrow streets easier, because it annually draws close to a million visitors. There are two to four guided English tours per day, depending on the season, as well as guided tours in French every 30 to 45 minutes.

Avignon

On a bend in the River Rhône on its way through Provence lies one of France’s most famous cities – Avignon, which history can be traced back to the Bronze Age. Today it is a lively, modern city stretching out far beyond the medieval walls of its historic heart. These ramparts were originally more than 4 km. long and at least 8 meters high, with massive towers and several gates, through which the city was only accessible by draw bridges over water-filled moats. Today there are no more moats or draw bridges, but once you’ve entered through the gates in the ring of superbly preserved walls, the true ambience of previous centuries enfolds you.

Avignon is most famous for its papal past. Due to political turmoil in Rome at the beginning of the 14th century, Pope Clement V fled here. A new administrative base was established, which eventually rivaled the Vatican. A vast, fortified Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) was erected from 1335, where the Popes resided until early in the 15th century. It is regarded as one of the most impregnable fortresses ever built. Because of its imposing, majestic structure this age-old palace is also classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

Next to the Palace stands the cathedral, the Notre Dame des Doms , built during the 12th century, with an imposing gilded statue of the Virgin on top of the western tower, towering high above the courtyard in front of the palace and the cathedral. Within the cathedral the mausoleum of Pope John  XXII is a beautiful work of art. 

Another famous structure is the Pont d’Avignon (Bridge of Avignon), built between 1171 and 1185. It spanned the Rhône over 22 arches, of which only four remain today, jutting out from the Avignon side. From here you can enter through one of the massive gates, climb the stairs up to the ramparts, then to the top of the hill above the palace and the cathedral, from where you have a unrestricted view over the river and the city below.

You could easily lose yourself in the narrow, winding streets, as we found out when we tried to drive our car out from where we parked it. At some stage the wheels of the car narrowly fitted in between the pavements on both sides. But you just have to drive on, hoping that no traffic will be coming from the opposite side! And when you leave the old city through one of the gates, you carry with you fond memories of the Christian capital of Europe of a bygone era.

- Manie
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

         

 

 

For ages now, the place where the Wisla River enters the Baltic Sea, has been of utmost strategic importance. However, it is no longer a place associated with rusting shipyards, striking workers and strife – Rather peace. Almost 30 years ago the Solidarity movement – Solidarnošç – was born under Lech Waleša, resulting in the collapsing of the shaky communist wall in spectacular fashion, thus taking all the other Eastern Bloc countries with Poland.

     

     

 

We disembarked from our cruise ship, The Emerald at Gdynia, which serves as the gateway-port to the other two Polish cities, Sopot and Gdansk, as part of the Tri-city combination.

At the station we boarded the SMK urban railway train, linking Gdynia with the university city of Gdansk. The train journey takes about 30 minutes with regular trains departing every 10 minutes.

Though the rest of the travellers were mostly quiet, reserved Polish workers, a neatly dressed young student, was sitting next to us. Bogdan, who is studying computer economics at the local university, soon became engaged in a discussion with us, giving some valuable information of nice wine bars and museums in Gdansk. He proudly told us that his uncle was one of the famous Gdansk Shipyard workers who died during the strike against the Russian Regime during December of 1970.

This, by total coincidence, convinced us to visit the Monument to the fallen Shipyard Workers: a symbolic combination of three stainless steel crosses, designed by local artists and erected by fellow workers after independence in 1980 – what an inspiration!

 

Stepping out of the Gdansk Glõwny station, a group of bronze children greeted us. The symbolism of this gripping monument is moving: depicting young orphan children holding hands, with the elder sister clutching to their last belongings in the small suitcase. They are also waiting on a train; the only difference being that they do not know their freighting destination!

A walk in historical Gdansk is a walk along yesterday’s events, experiencing a history of well over a thousand years. At the one end of Ulica Dluga is the prominent prison tower, with the St George’s Court and Golden Gate in front. Along both sides are beautiful restored gabled town houses, painted in multi-colours, since the restoration after WW2.
   

Halfway down the crowded tourist-cobblestone street, the Main Town Hall and famous Fountain of Neptune is located. This is a popular photo-stop for all Japanese tourists: to have their photo taken in front of the ornate fountain.

To the opposite side of Dlugi Targ, the pedestrian cobblestone walkway which is much wider than Ulica, are also rows of gabled buildings; all restored to more or less the same height, the multi-coloured umbrellas of street-side restaurants and boutiques are found on the ground level of these houses, all restored since 1945; on the higher floors are luxury apartments.
   

At the far end of this wide square, you walk through the arched Green Gate onto the bridge over the Stara Motlawa, a subsidiary of the much bigger Wisla River. A busy waterfront has been developed here: tourist boats of all shapes and sizes cruise up and down the many canals.

As an icon of the old city, the famous Gdansk Crane or Zuraw guards over this area. Dating back to the 14th century, this wooden structure is set between two circular brick towers. Today it forms part of the National Maritime Museum.

We enjoyed a nice lunch on a terrace outside the Hansa Hotel, facing the water and next to the Ulica Mariacka. This is regarded as one of the old town’s finest streets and contains some outstanding examples of traditional Gdansk architecture. Once owned by wealthy merchants and goldsmiths, all gabled facades are highly ornamented and some are fronted by external raised terraces with ornamented parapets.

During the evening a number of local musicians provide free open-air concerts, and at the many street cafés one can sip some nice local Polish beer from the barrel.

It can truly be said that Gdansk is a city with a long tradition, whose scars of yesterday have been healed; the memories are sealed in modern monuments and the proud new generation will never turn back in its steps.

– Johann and Monique

    
    
 
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yolande

Ongelooflik dankie jy het onvoortreflike diens gelewer!  Ek voel veilig in jou hande en het groot waardering vir die gesindheid waarin jy my altyd help.  Jy is 'n ster. Nogmaals dankie.

Alta Myburgh – Bestuurskool UFS
 

 

Beste Johann

Ek wil net graag van die geleentheid gebruik maak om die puik diens wat ek weereens van Nerina die afgelope tyd ontvang het onder jou aandag te bring. Sy moet waarskynlik een van die sterre in jou span wees.

Dr Cobus Pienaar - Departement Industriële Sielkunde, UFS

 

 

Dear Tessa 

It was quite a long time ago (2004) when you last did our bookings to England and Italy, and you surely have not lost your impressive skills! Peter and I would like to thank you for the fantastic way in which you put together “the spur of the moment” bookings for my visit to Grace in Jersey. Thank you for the details you finalized so precisely and so thoughtfully and giving me ample time to make my way from airports to buses to airports … and then back again.

 

It was quite a challenge to travel alone internationally for the first time in my life. But the way you prepared the itinerary made it unbelievably uncomplicated. I told my family that I now have such a swollen head and inflated sense of self-importance (just like out president) that I have put my name down on NASA’s inter galactic space travel programme … scheduled for Jupiter in 2090. I hope that you will still be around at Etnique to handle my travel arrangements! Thanks so much Tessie for the personal attention and delightful sense of caring that you always display in your dealings with us. Your professional expertise combined with that “touch of Tessa” makes all the difference in approaching the somewhat daunting area of flying, for all of us! With love and best wishes. 

Carlen Yazbek - Bloemfontein

 

 

Beste Christa en Lizelle 

Baie dankie vir al julle ure en harde werk wat julle ingesit het om ons reisplan en toer tot hier te kry.  Die trippie is iets waaroor ek, Lizelle en Tessa al reeds meer as 12 maande oor gesels het.  Ek was nog altyd baie wantrouig teenoor ander mense, aangesien die lewe my geleer het om als maar eerder self te doen. 

 

Wat 'n wonderlike vreugde, om te kan getuig dat Lizelle v.d. Heever, met haar sagte hart en besige verstand, vir my duisende dinge kon leer rondom vlugte en hotel besprekings...en dan die ongelooflike reisplan wat Christa opgestel het...fenominaal fantasties...baie dankie dat ek nou met 'n geruste hart kan weet om alles aan julle bekwame span te kan toevertrou. 

 Zonja van der Ness - Bloemfontein  
 
 
 
 
                         

 

STAR ALLIANCE member carriers, Austrian, Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss and TAP, have moved from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 at London Heathrow.

As part of this move, a common Star Alliance branded check-in area used by Austrian, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa and TAP has opened. It features dedicated check-in counters for business- and economy-class passengers as well as a premium check-in zone, reserved for Star Alliance Gold Card holders travelling on any of the five member carriers and for Lufthansa first-class passengers.
A number of self-service check-in kiosks and a bag-drop area are also available. After check-in, passengers pass through a separate security line, which has a fast-track lane for top-tier customers.

Air New Zealand, Asiana, South African Airways, Swiss, United and US Airways each have dedicated check-in counters in the completely redesigned main hall of Terminal 1, with bmi offering a check-in zone conveniently located to both international and domestic departure gates.

Once airside, first- and business-class passengers, as well as Star Alliance Gold Card holders have three different lounges at their disposal.

The Star Alliance departure lounge features separate first-class and business-class sections, food service areas, two business centres with computers, printers, faxes and Wi-Fi Internet access, shower facilities and a special area for children.

In addition, bmi offers two lounges, one for UK and Ireland departures and the newly opened international lounge – bmi Number One Heathrow – next to the main international departure gates used by bmi.

The relocation is part of Star Alliance’s ongoing ‘Move under one Roof’ strategy, bringing airlines together to improve the travel experience for customers and create efficiencies for the member airlines.

Star Alliance is now the largest alliance operating out of the core Central Area at Heathrow. The Central Area is the only area at the airport that has direct access to the full range of public transport – Heathrow Express and the London Connect Service, Underground trains to Central London as well as local and regional bus services.