The "King" of Fruits

NO, definitely not the Durian, Asia's take on this one. I know I will probably take lots of "stick" for this posting and YES, I have tried it and never again.  It's simple, I can not eat anything that smells like a public toilet that has not been cleaned for several weeks. There it is.


I am talking about one of my all time favourite fruits, The Marula. The trees grow in many parts of Southern Africa and has many magical properties including Vitamin C, some eight times more than your average orange.

It smells good and you can eat it, spread it, drink it and something I only found out during my research, use it as a oil application as a magical facial anti ageing treatment locally available in Singapore from the Body Shop. I am no "make up" expert so I provide the link for further reading for the health conscious readers.

More on the Health benefits of the Marula Fruit



I want to talk about my two favourite versions apart from just eating the fruit. While on holiday back in South Africa in November 2013 after being gone for more than 2 years I was able to buy my favourite Marula Jelly (Not available in Singapore) and enjoy it on my return. The label says;







Ah, it also solves my other problem, the Aphrodisiac thing as I hate the other one, you know those slimy raw oysters with a dash of Tabasco. Yuk. The Jelly is tasty and can be enjoyed with any things but my all time favourite is as a condiment in a cheese platter. Delicious and unlike anything you have ever had.

There is off course a "darker" side to this little fruit in one of it's products. The sinful but absolutely delectable Amarula Liqueur. Smooth and heavenly, neat with crushed ice, in or over ice cream, and many more. Fortunately available in Singapore from the Springbok Bazaar as well as many other very unique South African products.

Finally, a warning. When ripened and enjoyed in it's purest form this little fruit has a kick that can bring a Elephant down, literally. Do not believe me? Check out the video below and you shall believe without a doubt.

A Singaporean went to Africa

Early in October 2013 my now Ex Boss asked me on the smoking deck if I could help his friend, A Singaporean to plan his trip to South Africa. Now this is my kind of thing so I agreed and promptly arranged to meet Lee (as he will be known) for lunch to find out what he had in mind. Lee had taken his family on holiday all over the world but  now that his kids are teenagers he wanted to take them on a Africa holiday so they could experience the wild for themselves. This would be their first trip to Africa.

Lee was very specific regarding his requirements for the holiday in South Africa. 14 days starting in Cape Town for some shopping and visits to the wine farms, then onto the Kruger National Park and back to Johannesburg. Lee, wife, four kids and the in laws. No hotels, self drive with the Big Five a must see and any other suggestions I could come up with. I smiled and promised to email my suggested itinerary.

First thing you need to know about South Africa, it's one very big country with diverse landscapes, unique sights and distances that will blow any Singaporeans mind. There was only one way I could 'Explain" the one thing that Lee wanted to do that would not be possible so I included a map in my first email. The Road trip??

To put it in perspective, 2976 kilometres. A bit ambitious for a first try, so here was my suggestion which he gladly accepted as a far better alternative.

Start in Cape Town for a few days, then overnight in Hermanus for some whale watching, another overnight in Knysna because it is mind blowing beautiful, then final stop in Ado Elephant nature reserve in Port Elizabeth. Fly back to Johannesburg and drive to Pilanesberg Nature Reserve for a few days returning to Johannesburg for final shopping before flying back to Singapore. Less time spent driving and much more time to enjoy the whole experience.

Lee would make his own reservations and decide where they would stay. Many more emails followed with some general questions on roads, safety, do's and don'ts weather and travel tips which I will not include. We met early in the new year once they returned and Lee shared their experience with me so look out for my next posting "A Singaporean returns from Africa"


I provided the following information to help with the planning.

So here they are for any prospective wild life enthusiasts.

Cape Town

Here are some must do’s in Cape Town

http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/gb/where-to-go/western-cape/

Take the cable car up Table Mountain

Visit to Cape Point. (Not the most Southern point in Africa) but very nice views.
Take a drive to Houtbaai for Lunch. (Take the M4 highway then the M6 via Chapman's Peak, one majestic drive) Famous Seafood restaurant, harbour, boat trips to seal Island etc. Drive back via Llandudno, Campsbay, Clifton and visit Sea Point. Millionaires Valley where the rich and famous have holiday homes.

Visit Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned for most of his life.

Many Spectacular Shopping Centres.

Visit the world famous V&A Waterfront. http://www.waterfront.co.za/Pages/home.aspx Including the Aquarium

Take one of the Wine Tours. Self Drive or tour

http://www.capetown.travel/content/page/top-five-cape-town-wine-routes

Knysna

http://visitknysna.co.za/new/

Port Elizabeth

http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-southafrica.net-port-elizabeth#.Us5GZi_2PmI

http://www.sanparks.org/parks/addo/tourism/get_there.php


The General Information

Here are some trusted links I have used for our own holiday trips in South Africa to help with accommodation.

 http://www.sa-venues.com/

http://www.booking.com/country/za.en.html?aid=342443;label=country-za-Zj5T78D4n8TcjuAiff7NxwS31655208230:pl:ta:p1:p2:ac:ap1t2:neg;ws=&gclid=CL6EtZ_mx7kCFUgB4god_mEAZA

http://www.portfoliocollection.com/

http://www.safarinow.com/

You can also use http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/ to check on accommodation reviews etc. Sure you know this one but out it in anyhow.

 

This site has all the info including route maps etc. http://www.aa.co.za/travel/route-planner/. It has all the Tips, Advise, Road Conditions, and General information you will need for the Trip. This is all you need to plan your own route with all the information in one place.

Pilansberg and Sun City

 

 

http://pilanesberggamereserve.co.za/?source=google&medium=cpc&campaign="Pilansberggamereserve.co.za%20Search"&adgroup="National%20Park"&gclid=CMORl9y98LsCFQcB4godAgYADg

 

http://www.suninternational.com/sun-city/Pages/default.aspx

 

The Game Reserves

 

https://www.mweb.co.za/Features/ViewArticle/tabid/2910/Article/9522/Top-5-Alternatives-to-Kruger.aspx

 

 

 

Ever Changing Singapore

I have live here for just over two years and the one thing that is very apparent and part of everyday life is the never ending upgrading and renovations all over the island city. I am not complaining, it's nice to live in a modern city where everything works efficiently and looks new and shiny. There is new attractions, malls, roads, MRT lines, taxis etc, but there is a "dark side" to this New City syndrome.

I call it the "Now you see it now you don't" phenomenon. You will not be aware of this as a visitor but when you live here it actually becomes very frustration to say the least. It's a real pain in the ass.

A friend told me about this in the beginning but only now I can vouch how this affects me personally. You know when you find that little gem foodie spot or favourite book shop which you religiously frequent and enjoy. Well, in the Little Red Dot you better rid yourself of that because one thing is for sure, it will disappear and with no warning it will be no more and never return. Sometimes just your spot and sometimes whole sections or whole buildings will be "Gone".

Off course, you might get some new undiscovered spots after the renovations but you have to start the search all over to find your favourite curry joint, chili crab heaven or whatever else you have been "Robbed" from in the process.

That's the price you pay for living in a modern city so  make the most of your time while you can because it is inevitable that it will change.

It is very irritating to say the least.