Great Travel Stories

We all need a good laugh sometimes so we have decided to take a break and post some hilarious travel stories that we have heard. Here they are just for your entertainment...

  

Funny translations seen in hotels in Japan:

• Is forbitten to steal hotel towels please. If you are not person to do such thing is please not to read notis.
• Please to bathe inside the tub.
• You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.
• Information booklet about using a hotel air conditioner: Cooles and Heates: If you want just condition of warm in your room, please control yourself.
• Guests are requested not to smoke or do other disgusting behaviors in bed.
• Depositing the room key into another person is prohibited.

True Stories from Flight Attendant announcements:

•  "There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane..."
• "Your seat cushions can be used for flotation, and in the event of an emergency water landing, please take them with our compliments."
• "We do feature a smoking section on this flight; if you must smoke, please contact a member of the flight crew and they will escort you to the wing of the airplane."
• "Smoking in the lavatories is prohibited. Any person caught smoking in the lavatories will be asked to leave the plane immediately."
• Pilot - "Folks, we have reached our cruising altitude now, so I am going to switch the seat belt sign off. Feel free to move about as you wish, but please stay inside the plane till we land... it's a bit cold outside, and if you walk on the wings it affects the flight pattern."

Wedge Classic 2013

The Wedge Classic body boarding competition is coming up on the 3rd to the 5th of July and bodyboarders around South Africa ready and keen for some crazy waves. Their tag line says it all, OFF THE HOOK, that's just what it will be. Once again, South Africa's longest standing body boarding competition will feature some of the most talented and groundbreaking individuals in the sport showcasing their skills and undeniable love for the sport.

The Wedge Classic is the fourth and final bodyboarding event before the S.A. Championships at the end of September and will give bodyboarders a final chance to perfect their moves.

The Wedge Classic is one of South Africa's most anticipated and desired bodyboarding competitions in South Africa and Plettenberg Bay has been a favourite spot for bodyboarders for decades. It is the prime location to hold The Wedge and it has become a longstanding tradition and a favorite on the bodyboarding event calendar.



The competition is a favorite amongst fans too as South Africa's most admired and respected boarders compete. The beach is usually packed with keen spectators who are kept entertained by some of the most daring and inspiring bodyboarding South Africa has to offer. Food stalls, promotions and the Red Bull Vibe Mobile will keep the beach pumping throughout the day and VIP Nightclub will keep the party going well into the night,

If you are looking for somewhere to spend a night or two, Plettenberg Game Reserve will give you the chance to see all of the Big 5 and more. Plettenberg Game Reserve is just 12km outside of Plettenberg Bay and the short drive will bring you to the Southern Cape's biggest game farm. Boasting a variety of biomes and home to over 35 species of game and hundreds of bird species, this is a perfect place to getaway for a while. To contact Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve and to make bookings click here.

Images from Show Me

6 Must Have Items To Bring On Safari

If it is your first time on a safari you might be unsure on what to bring along with you. Here are some of the most important things you should have with you so that you can make the most of your trip.

6. One of the most valuable items you should bring on safari is a journal. Your safari experience will be etched in your mind forever but memories fade. Keeping a journal is a brilliant way to make sure that you never forget. Keep track of the animals you see, how you feel, who you meet and your general day to day experiences will be treasures when you read it back years later.

5. An animal spotting guide it very helpful when seeing so many animals. Is really helpful to be able to distinguish what animal you are looking at.

4. Binoculars are also extremely helpful when you are in the bush and game viewing. Because animal roam freely in game reserves they are not always in viewing distance. Binoculars will help you spot and watch animals that are far away.

3. Water. This is very very important. When on safari most of the time you will be driving in very remote areas where drinking water is none existent. Bring enough water to keep you hydrated, if you are with children make sure they have their own bottles too. In summer it gets especially hot and dehydration can be deadly.

2. Insect repellent is very important. Keep mosquitoes and other bugs away will be a priority as they bites can be terribly bothersome. Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve is malaria free area but there are parts of South Africa that are danger zones. Apply insect repellent in the day and especially at night. Burning citronella oil candles helps too keep mosquitoes and flies at bay.

1. Don't forget your camera. You will be very disappointed if you have no photos or video footage to capture special moments and the animals you come into contact with.

Canned Hunting - Our Endangered Lions

We did a post a while ago about the tragic decline in the African lion population and I was doing a little more research the other day and come across a shocking article from The Guardian online. The article explained the horrendous practice of canned hunting.

Lions are hand reared from cubs, growing up and bonding with the very humans who let them out into a small enclosure and then hunt them with a group of paying tourists. The article included cellphone footage from one of the hunts and to see the fear in the lions eyes was so saddening. Also, honestly, it riled so much anger in me towards the hunters and more so the game rangers who are supposed to be protecting our game.

These people become rangers supposedly to protect these animals and here they are putting these lions in the most frighting and traumatic experience you can imagine. These lions have bonded probably with the very ranger shooting them and helping tourists hunt them down.

If we are living in an era where our animal populations are so sensitive, we should be doing more to protect them and ensure that there are still lions around in the next 100 years. The problem is that tourism is a huge economic sector and tourists will pay thousands for the opportunity to shoot a lion "in the wild".

I have linked the article but is has footage that could be upsetting to some readers.Click here to see the article and here for more reading. 

*Image courtesy of Guardian UK 

We are under new management and improving!

“Good, but potential to be amazing”

Reviewed 30 May 2013 

My husband and I stayed for 2 nights at the Baroness Lodge and were blown away by the service of the staff. They were accommodating, friendly, remembered our names the first time and nothing was too much. We were shown to our room, which felt like a cabin in the woods with an indoor fireplace, incredible views of the valley from the bedroom, as well as living room and bath! On arrival, we were delivered sparkling wine to our room and each evening a fire was lit for us. We felt very spoilt!
On the downside, the Lodge itself is in need of a little TLC. We were told it is under new management, and is far better than it was a few months ago, however I believe there is still a long road to travel to get it up to scratch to be a top class establishment. And it has the potential to be one. There are maintenance issues such as peeling paint and rotting wood which would be quick to fix, and just needs to be done.
Saying this, the price was certainly kind to our pockets! And I would recommend the Lodge to those looking for a budget-friendly safari experience. 

Taken from TripAdvisor