The Amazing Journey & Verlorenkloof

Since starting the Blog I have been wanting to share the beautiful sights and places from my home country, South Africa. Who knows, you might go there on holiday or even work and hopefully this will be interesting. I lived most of my life in Johannesburg, Gauteng and eight years in Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal.

http://www.places.co.za/html/popular_dest.html

We are avid travellers and have been to all 9 provinces on holiday trips as well as neighbouring countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Namibia and Lesotho. South Africa is certainly one of the most beautiful and cost effective countries to have a holiday with a diverse geography ranging from the desert, mountains, magnificent coast line and awesome wildlife.

I will start the journey with the one thing we held on to, coming to Singapore. Our holiday home (syndicate owners) in the Verlorenkloof Estate. A 280 km drive on the N4 towards Nelspuit in Mpumulanga to the 1600 hectare Estate with only 26 houses and a small Lodge in the heart of the trout fishing triangle.

http://verlorenkloof.co.za/

The Estate is surrounded by towering mountains with a 6 km crystal clear river (full of trout) flowing down the middle of the valley. It's the kind of place where you can find yourself again, tranquil and unspoilt. Activities include horse riding, fishing, picnics along the river, amazing walking trails or just lazing around in your secluded house. Houses are fully equipped except for televisions to keep noise reduction down in the estate. Our place is on the northern side of the mountains some 900 meters up from the river. There is only four houses on the southern slope.

A view from the patio.

We have spent time there with family and friends and without a doubt one of my favourite places to unwind and relax. It will also be our base for any future trips back to South Africa as it is conveniently located with exciting day trips to many surrounding places like The Kruger National Park, Dullstroom and the Mpumulanga Province with all it's attractions.

The Lodge has a Deli, called Foodspace run by a Jozy foodie and cook, Faith Ruben where you can eat and buy farm fresh bread, milk, vegetables and other locally produced delectable goods. Verlorenkloof is also a Gold Crown RCI Resort so you can stay there even if you are not part of the share block scheme. Accommodation range from 6 sleeper to 10 sleeper Crofts (Thatch Style Houses) and you can get there by car although a lot more fun if you have a 4 wheel drive set of wheels. In addition to the river the farm also has 6 fully stocked trout fishing dams. No motorised sport like quads etc allowed as this will interfere with the the estate's ambiance of tranquillity.

Some more pics.

Expats Have Their Say & Boat Quay Initiatives

The 2011 annual ECA International Cost of Living Index findings were released yesterday with Singapore now ranking the 6th most expensive location in Asia, ahead of it's rival business Hub, Hong Kong. This is a result of the stronger Singapore Dollar which has impacted on the cost of living expenses. This will have a negative impact on the benefits that Singapore had over Hong Kong regarding employment of expatriates.

On the positive side many expatriates who's contracts are expiring are actually tying to localise their employment and stay in Singapore as a result of the financial turmoil in Europe, America and other Western Countries. Singapore is now ranked the 31st most expensive country in the world to live in.

An on line survey conducted by HSBC who canvassed 3500 expatriates in 31 countries still ranks Singapore as the top overall destination, at least for people without children. Factors that were sighted include, increase in disposable income, efficient transport network and quality of education. Their are 4 Asian countries in the Top 10 of the survey.

Read the full details here: http://www.expatexplorer.hsbc.com/

We have been to Boat Quay before for lunch and to be honest it was not a nice experience. Beautiful stretch to walk until you get to the restaurant "Ally". The staff standing outside hassled us to the point of harassment and halfway down the ally we decided to turn around , look straight ahead and made our way back to the first restaurant and quickly entered to get away from it all. Had lunch and left walking away from the restaurants. Sad, because surely it must have an impact on the restaurants income as they basically scare away any potential patrons. We agreed not to go there again and rather take visitors to Clarke Quay.

Read in the news this morning headlined " Bid to Flush out touting, Overcharging in Boat Quay" that a group of restaurant owners has now introduced guidelines in an effort to get rid of the negative image of touting and overcharging at Boat Quay. This does sound like a step in the right direction which I will go and test out for myself to see if things have changed.

The committee has launched a campaign called "A Better Singapore River" which will address things like clearly indicating prices on menus and not soliciting customers for business. Currently about 70% of the restaurants are on board so lets hope it makes the difference. Well done to those who spearheaded this much needed initiative.

I will report back after my next visit on the "change" at Boat Quay and hopefully positive.

If you do have complaints you can lodge them with Singapore's watchdog, Consumers Association Of Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board.

Tourism Board link

A Double Whammy New Year

During Jen's (our Singapore Friend) visit the other weekend we ended up talking about the difference between our New Year and The Chinese New Year. Jen has kindly given me a background which I  want to share with all of you.

This year we will have the pleasure of celebrating New Year twice as it is customary in Singapore. The Chinese Lunar New Year will be the 23rd of January when it is customary for Chinese families to celebrate the season and with some pre-festive preparations. The major difference here from the way it is celebrated in China is a more simplified celebration.

Obviously no firecracker here (It's Illegal here) apart from the festivities on the eve of New Year in Chinatown. Chinatown will be decorated in similar fashion to what Orhard Road is done now. Next year is the Year of the Dragon.

A typical reunion dinner with all members of the family is held on the eve of New Year, either "steamboat" or in a restaurant. A special dish called "Yu Sheng" comprising of different vegetables and raw fish are made. The dish signify prosperity, wealth and good fortune. Ingredients are suppose to be mixed together by the family members lifting the ingredients as high as possible mumbling words of blessing with good health and wealth. Jen is going to come and give us a personal demo. I really look forward to that.

It's also the practise that children sleep as late as possible on the eve which will increase the lifespan of your parents and elders. On the first day of the New Year there are a few things forbidden when visiting relatives. No wearing black as this is associated with death and bad luck. No sweeping or cleaning as this is deemed sweeping away all your fortune. No breaking of bowls etc as this will lead to 7 years of bad luck. Worse if it is a mirror. No mentioning of the word death or bad luck. Talk about auspicious things.

The two must haves if you go visiting will be a pair of mandarin oranges and the red packets for young ones. Newly married couples (less than a year) do not have to give red packets to children and the elders.

Chinese New Year is supposed to be 15 days but in Singapore it is only 3 days. People visit relatives, and play "mahjong" or card games. The ambiance and festive mood has been dampened over the years especially for the youngsters with more emphasis on Christmas instead.

Very interesting. Thanks Jen.

Year of the Dragon

PS. I am a Tiger and Zelma a Rooster according to the Chines Lunar Year.