Fly africa april may 2015

Vol 1 • Issue 5 • April-May 2015

Zambia

Kafue National Park

Unusual eateries

Unique restaurants in Africa

Bulawayo

48 hours in Zimbabwean city

revolutionary thinking

Learning from setbacks Flyafrica.com was built around a simple desire: to enable people to travel around Africa easily and cheaply. Traditionally, airlines built hubs that make people detour to reach their intended destination. The prices that are charged in Africa for travel from one point to another are also very high; It is no surprise that Africa is recognised as having the highest airfares in the world. Flyafrica.com wanted to change that; and to a great degree we have.

A flight between Johannesburg and Harare was $200 last year and is now $39 with flyafrica.com — that is a major change and one we are very proud of.

However, not everything has gone as we have planned. Resistance to change can be extreme and competitors will do everything possible to protect a cosy duopoly — as we learnt to our expense in Namibia. Flyafrica Namibia, a certified and registered Namibian airline, should have commenced flying on March 3. It was with much sadness and pain that we realised that the roadblocks thrown at us would not allow this to occur. We have refunded all our passengers and done everything we can to apologise for the delay. We wish to express again our sincere regret and sadness that we were not able to start when we said we would.

The disruption and the inconvenience caused to our loyal supporters was something we do not wish to ever cause again. We also learnt valuable lessons on customer service. As a new airline, and part of an airline family that has only been flying for six months, we did not have the ability to deal with all queries and issues as swiftly as we would like. This has now changed; we have learnt from what happened. Failure to learn means we would become a dinosaur where the only defence against competitors are legal and political games. We won’t fill that role; it is already filled by others.

The delays and the roadblocks that we encountered were similar to those used on other start-up airlines. They are simply designed to delay the inevitable — the introduction of competition. Once the hurdles are cleared we will introduce low-fares to the Namibia-South Africa market. It is a natural and inevitable development and one we are committed to achieving in the short-term.

We wish to thank everyone who supports us and who flies with us. Your patronage is why we are here.

Adrian Hamilton-Manns

Group CEO flyafrica.com

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Once the hurdles are cleared we will introduce low-fares to the Namibia-South Africa market. It is a natural and inevitable development

April-May 2015

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revolutionary thinking

Making flying cheaper and accessible The flyafrica.com story in Zimbabwe is one that brings me immense pride.

We began this adventure 18 months ago with a key desire — to make travel affordable. We wanted to offer low fares and enable people from as many places as possible to travel to Zimbabwe.

In November 2014 we started flying between Harare and Johannesburg, a critical market for both Zimbabweans and South Africans alike. We are major trade partners but air travel has always been prohibitively expensive.

Offering fares of $39 opened the floodgates of what was to come. In March, we started daily flights between Bulawayo and Johannesburg also from $39; this was a major shift from the $200+ fares that people had endured.

In March, we commenced a second daily flight between Harare and Johannesburg, also from $39. This is a milestone both for our airline and for Zimbabwe. South Africa-based airlines have held the lions share of this market for many years and have had limited competition. As a result we have always had to endure high fares to travel to our important trade partner, South Africa; South Africans have also had to endure high fares to come here for business or leisure.

That has now changed. Our low-fare business model allows people to make a business trip between Harare and Johannesburg, return the same day, save on hotel accommodation and spend $78 return to do it. That is a revolution!

We will announce in April more flights from Harare to destinations such as Lusaka, Lubumbashi and Blantyre. This, combined with the existing 48 return flights a week we offer to South Africa, means that Harare will fast develop into a regional hub that allows you to explore and do business in Southern Africa with greater ease and less expense.

We have always maintained that flying in Africa should not be expensive.

It is the airline charges, like fuel surcharges, that have been passed off as a tax that make flying expensive. Flyafrica.com will always work to make flying cheaper and more accessible for everyone. Welcome on board Africa’s fastest growing airline!

Professor Chakanyuka Karase

CEO flyafrica.com Zimbabwe

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We will announce in April more flights from Harare to destinations such as Lusaka, Lubumbashi and Blantyre

flyafrica.com GROUP CEO: Adrian Hamilton-Manns CEO FLYAFRICA ZIMBABWE: Professor Chakanyuka Karase

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Inside this issue Volume I • Issue V • Apr-May 2015

flyafrica.com

14 Vol 1 • Issue 5 • April-May 2015

Cov er Story-B u lawayo

Zambia

Kafue National Park

Unusual eateries

14 48 hours in Bulawayo

Unique restaurants in Africa

Bulawayo

On the cover

48 hours in Zimbabwean city

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From dining next to massive predators to drinking atop a rock in the middle of the ocean, no place is too strange for our rundown of some of Africa’s most unusual restaurants.

flyafrica.com

Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo is a great stopover place while visiting Matobo Hills, Victoria Falls, Khami Ruins or Hwange National Park

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on the move Wild things

Kafue National Park is one of southern Africa’s beacons of hope – a vast reserve with diverse habitats, flora and fauna

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snap shots Outdoor art gallery

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The mother city has all the ingredients for an alluring city break: sun, sea and shopping

Artists from about 30 nations travelled to Djerba and made it one of the biggest meetings of the modern street art

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explore Budget Maldives

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adventure Vineyards of Thailand

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action A red carpet for filmmakers

South Africa is increasingly becoming one of the favourite destinations for filmmakers worldwide

02. CEO Note 08. Where To Be 72. In-Flight Menu

leisure Memoirs of 9/11

The museum displays artefacts both monumental and intimate from the day when terrorists killed nearly 3,000 in NY

While Thailand isn’t typically known as a destination for wine-lovers, there are actually a lot to experience

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FOOD Unusual eateries

01. Group CEO Note

From dining next to massive predators to drinking atop a rock, no place is too strange for these restaurants

While many dismiss the Maldives as too expensive, we’ll blow these misconceptions out of the water

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shopping Shop in Cape Town

REGULARS

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Q&a Jonty Rhodes

The former South African cricketer opens up about his career, current stint in IPL as well as Tourism Ambassador April-May 2015

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Hair and Makeup Partners Amazon India Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2015

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where to be

Splashy Fen Music Festival Splashy Fen offers festival-goers a total entertainment ‘package’ that goes beyond great live music performances to include a wide choice of outdoor leisure and adventure activities for the whole family. Since its inception, Splashy has provided a platform for over 1,500 artists kick-start many a successful music career. For more info, visit www.splashyfen.co.za.

Where: South Africa When: April 2 - 6

Songkran 2015 The biggest water fight festival in Thailand, Songkran 2015 festival is the country’s traditional New Years Eve celebration. The annual Songkran Festival, previously held on dates that were dependent on the Thai lunar calendar, is now commemorated on the same three days every year, however the celebration typically begins before and end several days after the official holiday.

Where: Chiang Mai When: April 13

Harare International Festival of Arts One of the best cultural festivals in Africa, Harare International Festival of Arts attracts performers from all over the globe. The forthcoming fiesta would provide an opportunity for artistes, partners and audiences to think creatively, to express ideas clearly and to communicate a powerful artistic vision.

For more info, visit www.hifa.co.zw.

Where: Harare, Zimbabwe When: April 28 - May 3

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The Royal Show An agricultural event that has been held for 150 years, the Royal Show is one of South Africa’s biggest annual events. Not only do you get to see over 1,400 examples of Southern Africa’s best livestock, but there are also traditional dances, music concerts and a motor bike extravaganza.

For tickets, visit www.royalshow.co.za.

Where: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa When: May 29 - June 7

Aboakyer Festival A popular game hunting festival in central Ghana, the Aboakyer Festival used to involve hunting for leopard.

But the death toll was too great, and the tribe members opted for hunting bushbuck (an antelope) instead. The festival includes traditional dancing, hunting, colourful processions, brass bands and more.

When: Central Region, Ghana Where: May 3

Olive Festival At a mere hour’s drive from Cape Town, the lush Riebeek Valley provides the magical location for this much-anticipated annual olive festival — it’s the Western Cape’s largest.

Visitors can experience a weekend of olive and wine tasting, art, cuisine and live entertainment at various venues. For tickets visit webtickets.co.za.

Where: Riebeek Valley, Western Cape When: May 3 - 4

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where to be

Indaba Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar. It showcases the widest variety of Southern Africa’s best tourism products, and attracts international visitors and media from across the world.

Where: Durban Central, KwaZulu Natal When: May 9-11

Cars in the Park The 40th annual Cars in the Park hosted by the Pietermaritzburg Vintage Sports Car Club, will be held in Pietermaritzburg. This year being the 40th Cars in the Park, there will a special display of cars that were made 40 years ago i.e. 1975 models.

(This year’s event will be held at the Ashburton Training Centre.)

Where: Pietermaritzburg When: May 17

Roland Garros One of the four Grand Slams in the world, the French Open is played on clay, which owes its red colour to the crushed brick which forms the upper layer of the surface. With eight wins in his last nine outings here, Rafael Nadal is the undisputed king of Roland Garros. Can he continue his winning streak?

Where: Roland Garros, Paris When: May 24 - June 7

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where to be App-based neighbourhood walking tours In partnership with the global VoiceMap Walking Route App — some of Cape Town Tourism’s team members are adding their own personal perspectives on the places they live, by creating their own routes for the app and recording it in their own voices.

Coleen van Staden, a Muizenberg resident of over 30 years, is one of the first storytellers to share the magic and hidden gems of her hood when the walking tour was launched on February 25. The app has been refined using GPS tracking so that the route information is in line with the interest points and pause spaces where people naturally stop.

A travel app for

Cape Town As the global demand for experiential travel is on the rise, travellers are increasingly looking for activities that are more personal. They are looking for experiences that are authentic and in tune with the local culture and its people. Meeting local shopkeepers, renting someone’s home and hiring a pair of bicycles ticks all the boxes as touristy attractions give way to unexplored neighbourhoods that get real.

Over the last couple of years, insider info has gone digital and these platforms are growing at a rapid pace, with tools like Tripadvisor, Airbnb, Tripbod, Instagram and Wayn attracting millions of visitors to source, plan, book and travel more like locals would.

Getting locals to tell Cape Town’s story In line with this trend, Cape Town Tourism recently launched various projects that aim at giving the insiders of the Mother City an opportunity to tell their versions of the Cape Town story, encouraging visitors to ‘travel like a local’. At the same time, Cape Town Tourism is also encouraging Capetonians to ensure that they take advantage of what is on offer by ‘living like a tourist’.

Velma Corcoran, Cape Town Tourism Marketing Executive, says, “We have been listening for voices that passionately share their experience of living their daily lives in Cape Town, and now we’re offering them the platform to share their love for the city with the rest of the world.”

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Creating innovative platforms for locals In 2011 Cape Town Tourism started to inspire the #lovecapetown movement on social media; a hashtag that crowd-sources both local and traveller experiences — a feed for the would-be traveller as they couch-plan their itinerary or when looking for things to do whilst in destination.

Mid-2015 Cape Town Tourism will launch their innovative new mobile app where travel suggestions, experiences and activities are shared from an insider’s perspective.

Cape Town Tourism has also started a neighbourhood series on their blog where team members go out every month to spend time with locals in different neighbourhoods, in order to write a comprehensive insider’s guide to two different hoods featured every month.

A neighbourhood-focused video series will also commence mid2015. It will feature colourful and interesting personalities in each area and will be shared on YouTube and across social media.

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48 Bulawayo hours in

Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo is a great stopover place while

visiting Matobo Hills, Victoria Falls, Khami Ruins or Hwange National Park

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Fast Facts Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe It is the nearest large city to Hwange National Park Lobengula and the Ndebele people settled and formed the city in the 1840’s.

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ith tree-lined boulevards, parks, colonial structures and an air of shabby gentility, Bulawayo is the stuff dream destinations are made of. Sprinkle a bit of good shopping and a worthwhile movie, you can also get the recipe for that perfect vacation that you’ve been thinking of for quite some time now.

Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after capital Harare. Colloquially, Bulawayo is also known by various names, the primary ones being the ‘City of Kings’, ‘Skies’, ‘Bluez’, ‘Bulliesberg’ or ‘KoNtuthu ziyathunqa’ — a Ndebele phrase for ‘a place that continually exudes smoke’. This name arose from the city’s historically large industrial base.

Bulawayo has a key location on Zimbabwe’s road network and good (if little known) air links to Johannesburg. Thus travellers usually pass though Bulawayo when travelling between Matobo Hills National Park and Victoria Falls, Harare or Hwange National Park.

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The Natural History Museum illustrates the history, mineral wealth and wildlife of Zimbabwe

Bulawayo has a lovely historic feel to it, and it’s worth spending a night or two. Here’s how you can make the most of your trip: Day 1 National Gallery Located in one of the country’s finest monuments, the National Gallery in Bulawayo is a unique facility, which holds invigorating and challenging exhibitions. Douslin House, where the gallery is housed, is over 100 years old. Its architectural splendour makes evident the gallery’s own goal of aesthetic appreciation and artistic aim. The gallery works closely with its larger sister in Harare, but has a much more hands-on approach. Cuttingedge exhibitions have opened residents’ eyes to contemporary art, and the gallery has been very active in encouraging the development of local talent. Visit the place to get a feel of the rich cultural tradition of the region.

1 Collection in Natural History Museum 2 National Gallery Bulawayo 3 Bulawayo National Railways Museum

4 Go for an extraordinary shopping experience in the bend down boutique.

5 Bulawayo City 6 Elephants at Hwange National Park

Natural History Museum Continuing with your ‘guided’ tour of Bulawayo, you can also check out the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe on Leopold Takawira Avenue. Officially opened in 1964, the museum contains exhibits illustrating the history, mineral wealth and wildlife of Zimbabwe, including the second largest mounted elephant in the world.

Set over three floors, the impressive collection of gemstones shows the country’s astounding wealth of natural resources.

Bulawayo Railway Museum Located on the border of the industrial estates of Bulawayo between 13th Avenue and Josiah Chinamano Road is a fantastic National Railways Museum well worth a visit. If you’re up for a brisk walk, it is quite enjoyable and is situated behind the Bulawayo Railway Station. Access is possible via the pedestrian footbridge at the station.

Opened in 1972, the museum displays a wealth of small exhibits and models as well as steam and diesel electric locomotives.

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Retail therapy There’s also plenty of opportunity for shopping.

Just out of town along the Old Falls Road, the Mzilikazi Arts and Crafts Centre offers a range of locally crafted souvenirs such as sculptures, basketry, pottery, beadwork and woodwork. Ivory Kraal is another curio shop to browse through, with a good stock of curios, such as carvings from wood and cow horn, statuettes, jewellery, paintings and pottery. For the relatively Westernstyle shopping, head for the Bulawayo Centre.

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Day 2 Matobo National Park If you’re tired of urban life and would like to indulge in nature, you can consider one of the nature reserves and game parks near Bulawayo, such as the Matobo National Park that forms the core of the Matobo or Matopos Hills, an area of granite kopjies and wooded valleys located some 35 km south of Bulawayo. You can take Robert Mugabe Way in the city centre; this turns into Matopos Road which continues south some 30 km to the park boundary.

Khami Ruins Just 22 km west of Bulawayo lies an Unesco World Heritage Site – the Khami Ruins, dating from the late Iron Age. The surrounding area is protected by the Mazwi Nature Reserve, where you can go on walks and drives. Khami Ruins is an extensive complex of stonewalled sites. A small site museum provides useful background information to

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If you’re tired of urban life and would like to indulge into nature, you can consider one of the nature reserves and game parks near Bulawayo the site itself. Khami is dominated by a series of terraced stone ruins, often highly decorated. The largest comprises three, tiered platforms that was the home of the king and his family. A perfect place to venture out in the open.

1 Tourists at Matopos National Park

2 San paintings are estimated to be 6,000-10,000 years old 3 Train from Bulawayo to Cement Station

4 Outside City Hall 5 Locals working at Mzilikazi Arts and Crafts Centre

Rock art caves Dotted around the 425-sq-km Matopo National Park are 3,000 officially registered rock-art sites, including one of the best collections in the world of San paintings (estimated to be anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 years old). White Rhino Shelter, Bambata Cave, Pomongwe Cave and Nswatugi Cave have some fine examples.

Words - Binod Mili

April-May 2015

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on the move

Wild things Once facing a seemingly inevitable slow strangulation, Kafue National Park is today one of southern Africa’s beacons of hope – a vast reserve with diverse habitats, impressive tourism lodges, experienced guides and wonderful flora and fauna

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hat makes Kafue National Park in Zambia stand out is not just the number of wildlife but its sheer diversity. From hippos and elephants to zebras and leopards, one can see an amazing range of fauna.

Another remarkable feature is its geography, which too varies considerably from flood plains in the north to desert regions in the south.

However, despite its size and prominent location (the park is just about two hours’ drive from the tourist hub of Livingstone) it remains little-known and largely unexplored with vast tracts of untouched and spectacular views of the bushveld. In recent years, the park has seen a well-managed growth in the number of safari camps and lodges that operate in and around the park. This new interest has brought with it more visitors and investment to the area, notably in infrastructure with a number of wellgraded roads and airstrips.

The park can be accessed from Livingstone in the south, on well-graded road, reaching Dundunwezi gate after about three hours.

The park is also accessible by plane, with the presence of many airstrips, some ‘all-weather’ such as Ngoma, Chunga and Lufupa.

Animal instinct As a consequence of the increasing interest and benefits in terms of investment this brings, the wildlife is beginning to enjoy an increased level of protection by the Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), always aided and supported by the operators in and adjoining the park.

Located in the centre of western Zambia, Kafue National Park is the oldest and largest of Zambia’s national parks. It covers a massive 22,400 sq km. Thanks to its size and variety of habitat types, Kafue holds a fantastic diversity of wildlife. Hippos abound in the rivers with good sightings of huge crocodiles. Elephants too are on the comeback after extensive poaching and are frequently seen along the river banks.

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1 Lions are a common sight here 2 Tourists enjoy boating in Kafue 3 Camps inside Kafue

4 Fish eagle

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Kafue National Park is the oldest and largest of Zambia’s national parks. It covers a massive 22,400 sq km They sometimes even venture into the camps and lodges. Hoofed animals also thrive in the park, especially puku, kudu, red lechwe, impala, waterbuck, bushbuck, oribi, blue duiker and burchells zebra. Also to be seen are warthogs, mongooses, nile monitor lizards, porcupines, cervals, civets, terrapins, vervet monkeys and bush babies as well as cape buffaloes, blue wildebeests, lions and leopards.

Kafue is also a birder’s paradise. Thanks to the outstanding array of habitat types, the plethora of bird species Kafue houses stands at over 500 recorded species, roughly as much as the whole of Europe. With too many to write here, some notable ticks in the park are pel’s fishing owl, black-cheeked lovebird, chaplin’s barbet (Zambia’s only endemic bird), wattled and crowned crane, African fin-foot and bohm’s bee-eaters, among others.

In the lap of nature Once inside the park, one can go for daily boat trips along the Lufupa and Kafue rivers near Lufupa Lodge with a long serving, very knowledgeable skipper. One can watch enthralled, as he invites a April-May 2015

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Preparing yourself Temperaturewise the Kafue is wonderfully mild due to its altitude, 1,100m above sea level Kafue is not about the sheer numbers of wildlife you see, it is about the diversity of wildlife you see Kafue houses over 500 recorded bird species, roughly as much as the whole of Europe

totally wild fish eagle (nick-named ‘Wilbur’), to swoop down to scoop up the fish he throws to land on the water not yards from the boat. While out on the water, one can even try a spot of fishing and have one’s catch served up for lunch or dinner.

Visitors can also take early morning and late afternoon/ early evening game drives to be shown an abundance of wildlife that abounds in the area, by experienced and very knowledgeable spotters and drivers. One can enjoy a dip in the pool at Lufupa Lodge when the heat of the day is enticing you to do so.

Green season At Kafue, the ‘dry’ season runs from June to October, with most of the park being inaccessible during the wetter months of November through to April.

Inaccessibility, however, need not be a deterrent to those wanting to visit the Kafue in the ‘green’ season, as it is a spectacular time of year and the lush greenery of the bush is something really to behold.

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Kafue Facts It was first established as a National Park in the 1950’s by Norman Carr In recent years, the park has seen a well-managed growth in the number of Safari Camps and Lodges The wildlife is also seeing an increased level of protection by the ZAWA

Once inside the park, one can go for daily boat trips along the Lufupa and Kafue rivers near Lufupa Lodge The trick is visiting the camps that stay open for 12 months (or as close as possible to), with Mukambi Lodge, Mayukuyuku and Musekese Camp being some in the central/northern section of the park.

Temperature-wise, the Kafue is wonderfully mild due to its altitude, averaging 1,100 m above sea level; it is generally cooler compared to the Luangwa or Zambezi valleys in October and November. In fact, the Kafue goes sub-zero in winter (June-August) in some areas.

Visitors can contact a Kafue specialist tour operator for advice and how to arrange a green season visit. The best part about visiting the Kafue in the ‘green’ season is that many safari camps offer special reduced rates.

Words: Kunal Doley

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5 Local residences inside Kafue 6 Herd of hippos 7 Elephant sighting in Kafue

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Outdoor art

gallery

The island of Djerba — known as ‘Island of Dreams’ — recently invited 150 international artists to take part in the street art project Djerbahood.

And artists from about 30 nations travelled to Erriadh to create murals, which made one of the oldest villages in Tunisia host to one of the biggest meetings of the modern street art scene

A mural by Portugese creative designer Mario Belem.

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A mural by French artist C215.

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A mural by French artist C215.

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A mural by Malakkai from Spain.

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A mural by French artist C215.

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A mural by Japanese artist Twoone.

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Mural by Swoon

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Mural by Swoon.

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Painting by David Del La Mano.

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Work by Puerto rican artist Alexis Diaz2

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explore

Fast Facts The Maldives is a strictly Muslim nation, and obeying local laws and traditions are a requirement Alcohol is prohibited everywhere except resort hotels, and beverages cannot be taken off resort property Ninety-nine per cent of Maldives is water

Budget

Maldives

While many dismiss the Maldives as too expensive or as a luxury tourist trap, we’ll blow these misconceptions out of the water

explore

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he phrase ‘budget Maldives’ may seem like an oxymoron considering the republic’s reputation as a place that is known for luxury resorts and mega yachts. Though there’s no shortage of ultra-pricey places to stay in the Maldives, with some villas charging as high as $15,000 per night, of late affordable guesthouses are springing up on local islands, offering budget travellers a chance to explore the country. So here’s everything you need to know about travelling in the Maldives on a budget.

Made up of 1,190 tiny islands, the Maldives falls into three main groups: resort islands (with just one resort per island), inhabited islands (those with local communities and guesthouses) and uninhabited islands. Few years back, it was nearly impossible to stay outside of the capital Malé for less than $200 a night. Guesthouses were banned and tourists were not allowed to stay overnight on any island inhabited by a local community.

1 There are many accommodation options in the Maldives for $40 per night 2 People these days spend less on accommodation and splurge in activities like deep sea diving

3 Guesthouses on local islands are a great option for singles in their 20s 4 Tourism has increased in the country after the new regulations were implemented

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However, as the government changed its regulations few years back to allow guesthouses to open on the local islands, it was for the first time that tourists were allowed to stay with locals and gain an insight into the Maldivian life. Budget travellers now just need to spend $40 a night to stay in these cosy yet comfortable guesthouses. Many of these guesthouses are even equipped with airconditioning and en suite bathrooms, offering activities like island hopping, night fishing, snorkelling and diving.

The budget isles The arrival of these guesthouses on local islands has signalled a sea change in the way people see the Maldives. While this has opened a new window for local businessman, singles in their 20s and 30s and surfing enthusiasts, couples and families have started to use these as an alternative to high-priced resorts.

“Guesthouses has given us a lot of new options. Now we can spend less on our stay and indulge in adventure activities,” says Julia

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Guraidhoo, an inhabited island about 30 km from Malé, is one of the emerging destinations in the Maldives Hill, a 20-something girl who was seen enjoying her stay in a guesthouse.

These guesthouses are becoming so popular that some are fully booked during the peak season. “During the high season, we had to search before getting a final confirmation. Asian guests, particularly from Singapore and India, are always high on the list,” says Hill. “People who are travelling to the Maldives on a budget are finding these guesthouses ideal.”

Guraidhoo, an inhabited island about 30 km from Malé, is one of the emerging destinations in the Maldives. Famous for its development, it can be described as a trading point to the other islands and is the most developed island in the atoll.

Apart from fishing and agricultural activities, small businesses are increasing rapidly in the area. The April-May 2015

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explore Preparing yourself The cheapest way to go on an excursion is to book it through your guesthouse.

Transport is also cheap. Local ferries shouldn’t cost more than $2-4 for a three hour journey.

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Food will set you back around $5-10 per meal, but with most guesthouses offering an enormous free breakfast.

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people of the island are friendly and are willing to lend any help they can to the visitors and other arriving guests.

What to do The Maldives is known for its beaches and diving. It’s home to more than 2,000 species of tropical fish along with whale sharks, manta rays, moray eels and reef sharks. Divers can opt for shore dives to explore the island’s ‘house reef’ or hop on a boat to track whale sharks and mantas (the Maldives is the only place on the planet with a year-round population of whale sharks). There are also opportunities to check out sunken wrecks, try drift diving and night diving and venture into undersea caves.

5 If you are looking for a luxurious stay in the Maldives, Six Senses Resort won’t disappoint you norkelling is a 6S favourite pastime for travellers to the Maldives

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You can visit Kuda Bandos, also known as Picnic Island, for a full day of watersports and activities. However, make sure that you go from Sunday to Thursday, as it is exclusive to locals on Friday and Saturday. There you can snorkel, dive, Jet Ski, banana boat, swim on the beach, suntan, and do other watersports.

Usually the boat to Kuda Bandos costs $30 round-trip, but if you get a package through your guesthouse, you can combine a few activities with the transportation for a decent price (form $50 for a few activities to $130 for a full day).

Best time to visit The wet season lasts from April to November but there’s still an average of eight hours of sunlight every day, with rain tending to fall at night. This is the perfect time for bargain hunters looking for the best accommodation deals. Plus, surfers will catch the best waves, and divers will see the most life on the reefs. Many travellers use Malé as a jumping-off point for trips to the surrounding islands due to the accessibility of public ferries, including overnight services to farther-flung atolls. The majority of travellers opt for accommodation within the Malé Atoll and Ari Atoll, which include the popular islands of Maafushi, Guraidhoo, Himmafushi and Thulusdhoo.

Words: Abhiraj Chakraborty

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Vineyards of Thailand

While the South East Asian nation isn’t typically known of as a destination for wine-lovers, there are actually various opportunities in the country to experience

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Wine Facts

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f you are interested in visiting Thailand for a trip or special vacation, then you will want to know what Thailand is most famous for. Located in southern Asia it is known for great eats, martial arts, beaches and temples. Thailand also has many islands with resorts that are well known among tourists.

Whether you want to explore a Thai vineyard on the back of an elephant, try a one-of-a-kind local wine, or flyafrica.com

It produces wines like Shiraz Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon etc It also specialises in herbal and fruit wines.

While Thailand isn’t typically thought of as a destination for wine-lovers, there are actually various opportunities in the country to experience.

The wine market in Thailand started nearly two decades ago, but has grown at a very fast pace. The country produces different types of wines, including Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Chardonnay and Merlot, depending on the region where the grapes are grown. Besides producing regular wine varieties, Thailand also specialises in herbal and fruit wines such as Lychee Wine, Mangosteen Wine and Black Ginseng Wine.Â

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Thailand is increasingly becoming a destination for wine lovers

1 Huan Hin Hill Vineyard 2 Floating Vineyard B Valley Khao Yai 3P Winery produces 6,00,000 bottles of wine per year

4 The Sala Wine Bar & Bistro provides opportunities to learn winemaking

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The wine market in Thailand started nearly two decades ago, but has grown at a very fast pace

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have a sommelier guide you through a 10-course wine pairing under a candle jungle waterfall, you can use this guide to help you find the best in vino that Thailand has to offer during your next visit.

Hua Hin Hills Vineyard Located on a former elephant corral, the fertile sand, slate and cool ocean breeze make this a prime area for grape-harvesting. Hua Hin Hills Vineyard rests peacefully in a hill and jungle setting, close to the Myanmar border and a convenient stop on the way to the Huay Monkol temple and the Pala U waterfall.

In you are staying in downtown Hua Hin, the vineyard operates a daily shuttle that leaves from market village at 10.30 am and 3 pm (about $9-$10 round-trip).

The vineyard takes up over 560 acres and produces an array of Monsoon Valley vino varieties, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Muscat, Tempranillo and Sangiovese. In fact, Hua Hin Hills is the only vineyard in Thailand to harvest the Sangiovese grape, which has hints of red berries. There are a few different ways visitors can sample the wines. First of all, there is the The Sala Wine Bar & Bistro, which features wine and food pairings as well as educational opportunities to learn more about wine-making. The other option is to sign up for a wine tasting experience, which starts at about $9 to sample

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three wines and goes to about $41 to try five wines and pair them with tapas. Other unique and fun vineyard experiences offered include painting wine bottles, playing Pétanque, or exploring the vineyards via elephant, mountain bike, or jeep.

Preparing yourself Siam Winery is the largest winery in South East Asia and has a staff of over 1,000 winemakers to farmers to oenologists.

While the Floating Vineyards are not actually floating, the 1,000 acres of vineyards are situated on islands along canals.

Hua Hin Hills Vineyard rests peacefully in a hill and jungle setting, close to the Myanmar border and a convenient stop on the way to the Huay Monkol temple and the Pala U waterfall.

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Siam Winery Siam Winery, which is affiliated with Hua Hin Hills Vineyards, is the largest winery in South East Asia and has a staff of over 1,000 that includes diverse and knowledgeable people from German winemakers to farmers to oenologists. They operate under New Latitudes Wine perspective, which means a new way of looking at wine. The ideology looks at past beliefs about wine creation and combines them with innovation, new technology and modern discoveries. Winemaker Kathrin Puff explains, “The New Latitude wines teach the right to be wrong. They turn the wine world up-side down. Whilst most wine books refer to the 30th to the 50th latitude as the wine growing country belt, countries like Thailand and India now prove this to be wrong.”

The winery is located about 45 minutes west of central Bangkok and offers two-hour tours that include a guided tour of the facility, three tastings with cheese and crackers, homemade grape juice and a souvenir to take home. Tours cost about $16 ($6 if you’re under 20 years of age and cannot drink the wine) and must be booked in advance by emailing winerytour@siamwinery.com.

Floating Vineyards Also owned by Siam Winery, the floating vineyards offer a unique way to experience wine tasting in Thailand. While they’re not actually floating, the 1,000 acres of vineyards are situated on islands along canals. What’s interesting here is that the vineyard kind of acts as an optical illusion. From an arial point of view, the vineyards actually appear to be bouyant, while a closer look can show what’s really going on. The unique landscape makes for an unusual harvest and production process, which you can learn more about through a visit. Make sure to sample white wine from the Malaga Blanc grapes and red wine from the plum-tasting Pokdum grapes, which

are what the vineyard is known for. The vineyards are located about an hour southwest of Bangkok in the Chao Phraya Delta near the Gulf of Siam.

Khao Yai Winery The PB Valley Khao Yai Winery produces 6,00,000 bottles of wine per year and its founder, Dr Piya Bhirombhakdi, recently received a South East Asia Wine Pioneer Award for his work in wine culture in Asia. Their vineyard is located in the northeastern part of Thailand, in the hillsides near Khaoyai National Park. The chilly temperatures, surrounding mountains that protect the vines and little rainfall help make the area perfect for grape cultivation. PB produces three ranges of wine, including the Sawasdee Range, PB Reserve Range and the Pirom Khao Yai Reserve Range. Visitors can sample these varieties through educational tasting tours of their vineyard and winery.

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The Sarojin While The Sarojin isn’t a winery or vineyard, it definitely caters to the wine enthusiast. This boutique five-star resort is located in Khao Lak near Phuket and features many opportunities to sample the region’s best wines.

For the past four years, the resort’s wine cellar, which boasts over 160 old and new world wines, has been given the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

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5 Floating Vineyard 6 Spectacular view from Hua Hin Hills Vineyard lephant safari in 7E the vineyards

8 PB Valley Vineyard ua Hin Hills 9H Vineyard

To help guests experience these unique varieties, the resort offers degustation dinners with up to 10 courses each paired with wines by the resident sommelier, Dawid Koegelenberg. What’s unique about these dinners is that they don’t just take place in an upscale restaurant, but anywhere one desires, whether it be under a jungle waterlit illuminated by candles, on a beach with the ocean’s waves creating natural background music, or on your own private island. If you want to expand your wine knowledge, The Sarojin offers wine lectures both privately and as a scheduled weekly activity for a group environment. There are also cooking classes to help you enhance the culinary side of your vino pairings.

Words: Abhishek Chakraborty

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A red carpet for

filmmakers South Africa is becoming one of the favourite destinations for filmmakers worldwide

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ou might have seen a lot of South Africa in the past few years, much of it unknowingly. Be it Clint Eastwood’s Invictus (2009), with Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, or much of Blood Diamond (2006), with Leonardo DiCaprio, South Africa has been one of the favourite film destinations for many filmmakers in the past.

Not only Hollywood filmmakers, but a lot of Indian filmmakers too have showed a lot of interest in South Africa. Durban has been showcased in a lot of Indian movies, which includes Race, Welcome, No Entry, Fiza, Hera Pheri, etc. It is also said that upcoming Bollywood films Aankhen 2 (Anil Kapoor, John Abraham) and Happy Anniversary (Abhishek and Aishwarya Bachchan) are going to be shot there.

So what is it that’s making South Africa one of the favourite film locations? Carol Coetzee, CEO of the KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Film Commission, feels that the advantages are many. “The climate here is great in South Africa, and there are wide varieties of locations filmmakers can try. There are mountains, villages, greenery as well as coastline and world-class cities to showcase. There’s wildlife too. The infrastructure here is also good and conducive for filmmakers,” she adds.

“We can also accommodate a large variety of personal choices from shopping to heritage, to the peace and quiet of the wildlife to the world heritage sites in the mountain regions,” shares Coetzee.

Cost efficiency Coetzee feels that versatility and convenience of location—all those landscapes are within a two hour April-May 2015

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‘The countries we are eyeing in Africa are Nigeria and Kenya. Apart from them, we have been to various BRICS countries too’ radius—are keys to South Africa’s moviemaking appeal. So is cost. “We offer 20% rebate on qualifying spend in South Africa, if you do post-production you get 25%. We also have tie ups with various airlines where the discounts can go up to 40% in travelling and the same amount for hotel bookings,” shares Coetzee.

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Hollywood is also a big market for them and they are eyeing to tap Los Angeles filmmakers too. In Europe they are eyeing to target the United Kingdom, Germany. They have also been to Cannes to showcase South Africa as a favourite destination for filmmakers.

“The countries that we are eyeing right now in Africa are Nigeria and Kenya. Apart from them, we have been to various BRICS countries, like China, Brazil, Hong Kong etc,” shares Coetzee.

Outside Kzn province Apart from the destinations in KZN province, the downtown area of Cape Town is also in high demand, thanks to its chameleon-like buildings, which are fitting stand-ins for buildings in many major cities on Earth. Cape Town’s profile is still on the rise in the movie world.

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Well-known productions have been getting into the mix as well. The award-winning series Homeland is being shot in Cape Town, and the 2012 Denzel Washington-headed thriller Safe House was set and filmed in the city.

Coetzee was recently in India to participate at the India International Film Tourism Conclave 2015 to attract more Indian filmmakers to shoot in the KZN province.

Words: Abhishek Chakraborty

For all new flyafrica.com routes, visit www.flyafrica.com

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1 African tribes are a great attraction for filmmakers

2 The KZN province provides a lot of wildlife options too

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3 Beaches of South Africa are also filmed in many movies

4 Riding a Zulu Rickshaw is a great attraction

5 Durban is the largest city in KZN province

6 Durban’s Golden Mile is one of the famous locations for filmmakers

7 The province also provides lot of options for families

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shopping

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Shop in

Cape Town The mother city has all the ingredients for an alluring city break: sun, sea and shopping

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ape Town is a city blessed with beautiful beaches, fascinating sights and a host of cultural experiences, but for those people for whom a holiday is nothing without a little shopping... there’s plenty of eye candy to entice you!

Though most of the action happens in the city, there are many spots dotted around Cape Town, especially the host of gourmet markets that have popped up in recent years and in places like Kalk Bay where vintage and collectables stores line the main drag.

At the water’s edge If you have limited time, and you want to take home gifts and mementoes, head straight to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront This bustling shopping, dining and entertainment area neighbouring the Table Bay harbour is almost as synonymous with a visit to Cape Town. Shopping at the V&A Waterfront is a treat where you can find all major retailers as well as international brands.

Shopping isn’t the only activity that can be enjoyed at the V&A Waterfront. There are two cinema complexes which features the latest released films. The 123-hectare property also has a world-class aquarium, the Two Oceans Aquarium and two museums; namely the Maritime and Chavonnes Battery museums. With over 80 eateries, there is bound to be at least one that will serve up something to your liking.

Mall crawl If you want to explore malls in Cape Town, first visit the Canal Walk Shopping Centre. With over 400 stores, this mall has everything starting from fashion to footwear to homeware to jewellery and supermarkets. For people looking for some exclusive local and international fashion, Cavendish Square in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town is the right place to be.

For bargain hunters, Access Park in Bellville is a paradise in itself. Here factory shops offer a wide range of exciting products and services offering discounts upto 50% on April-May 2015

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A collection of boutiques, cafes and collectives, has bought even more fashion and design to Woodstock normal prices. Offering local boutiques, buzzing eateries based around an open-air piazza and a fashionable local crowd, Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village is a place to experience boutique shopping. They are open seven days a week with 900 parking bays.

More authentic With relatively low rentals, the city centre attracts a very varied and quirky retail offering, from individually owned boutiques stocking handmade garments to high-end African art.

Offering an African community feel, and numerous cafes and restaurants to refuel in, one-way Long Street is a good starting point, though Bree street (running parallel to Long, but closer to the Bo Kaap) is seen as the more hip and happening.

Those who relish a more authentic, non-mall experience, Long Street is the ideal destination. Lined with old merchant warehouses that have since been turned into hotels, stores and eateries, this buzzing bohemian hub is crammed with interesting stores, from glittering diamond boutiques to edgy street style sneaker stores, vintage clothing set ups to antique shops.

Woodstock A kilometre from the city centre, Woodstock used to be home to more textile factories than fashion outlets. But in recent years this industrial area with mountains views has dramatically changed. The transformation of the Old Biscuit Mill into a hub of cafes and creativity led the way for further regeneration in the area. More recently the opening of the Woodstock Exchange, a collection of workshops-cum-boutiques, cafes and collectives, has bought even more fashion and design to the area.

One of the favourites here includes the Dark Horse, who describes itself as a designer brand for the world’s most seasoned travellers. Using locally sourced materials they craft beautiful leather accessories and quirky furniture. It stocks a collection of internationally sourced trinkets and vintage treasures.

Kalk Bay Lastly, for pleasurable window shopping (bohemian-style clothes, jewellery, art, etc) with great restaurants and

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1 Bree Street is seen as more hip and happening 2 Dark Horse describes itself as a designer brand for the world’s most seasoned travellers

3 Long Street is the ideal destination for authentic, nonmall experience 4 Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village is a place to experience boutique shopping

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harbourside dining, head south to the seaside village of Kalk Bay — don’t miss Anpa for eyecatching jewellery, browse the many bo-ho clothing shops lining the main road and funky art/ craft galleries like ArtVark.

5 Old Biscuit Mill has been transformed into a hub of cafes and creativity ape Quarter is 6C open seven days a week

7 Canal Walk Shopping Centre has over 400 stores

For contemporary high-end linens, ceramics and clothing visit Blossom, which has a small collection of handmade items produced from recycled, natural and eco-friendly materials such as hemp, wool and bamboo. If you are looking for contemporary South African art, visit Kalk Bay Gallery.

Words: Archana

8 Kalk Bay is known for vintage and collectables stores

9 The Kalk bay books is a hubbub of cultural flurry and social gatherings

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leisure

Unusual

eateries

From dining next to massive predators to drinking atop a rock in the middle of the ocean, no place is too strange for our rundown of some of Africa’s most unusual restaurants

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icture this. You are sitting in a restaurant and have ordered your favourite meal. Suddenly you get a shock to see a predator next to you. Don’t fear. Welcome to Durban-based Cargo Hold restaurant, which is built in a replica ship, with tables next to a wall-sized shark aquarium.

From dining next to massive predators to drinking atop a rock in the middle of the ocean, no place is too strange for these unusual restaurants in Africa. With their unique one-of-a kind settings, these restaurants will definitely give you an adrenaline rush. Here we bring you five such unique eateries available in length and breadth across Africa.

The Rock Restaurant, Zanzibar, Tanzania Originally a fisherman post, The Rock is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean in front of Michanvi Pingwe beach on the south-east coast of the island. In a very short time since opening in 2010, The Rock has become one of the icons of the island.

Restructured and decorated with a simple style inspired to the local style they specialise in seafood and serves up to 12 tables, all facing the sea and the coast. A panoramic terrace is also available to welcome the guests for a drink or to enjoy a romantic evening under the African sky. People can reach the restaurant by foot when low tide or by boat when high tide. Boat service is offered by the property. For bookings, visit www.therockrestaurantzanzibar.com.

Ali Barbour Cave, Kenya Situated about 30 km south of Mombasa and 200 m back from the high water mark, Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant compromises a series of interlinking chambers at depths of up to 10 m below ground level. The natural holes in the cave ceiling are open to the sky and seating is under the stars, creating an intimate and elegant atmosphere. During bad weather, the interior is protected with sliding covers. The cave is mostly the same as it was when it was discovered by George & Jackie Barbour about 30 years ago. Only the stone floor has been added together with furniture and fittings, lighting and sound effects. The cuisine is typically international, April-May 2015

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specialising in seafood. For bookings, visit www.alibarbours.co.

Cargo Hold, South Africa Dining on a rock, dining inside an ancient cave, how about dining with sharks? Situated in uShaka Marine World in Durban, Cargo Hold offers food lovers the most unique and sophisticated ambiance. Nestled in the stern of the abandoned Phantom Ship, it has superb views of the ocean and shark tank. It’s not just the ambiance, but the food too that is exquisite here. It has flavours from all corners of the world, including spicy, fruity and exotic remnants combined with the freshest of KwaZulu Natal’s local product. For bookings, visit www.ushakamarineworld.co.za.

La Tante DC 10 Restaurant Ghana Eating in a plane can be very selective, however, at the La Tante DC10 restaurant in Ghana’s capital Accra is quite appetising.

The restaurant is in a Ghana Airways plane, which was once left abandoned at London’s Heathrow airport after the airlines went bankrupt. Now some seats have been removed from the 380-seater plane to make way for dining tables. Serving traditional food to up to 118 people, it has become quite popular with people who want to see what it is like inside an aircraft.

People enter the restaurant up the covered plane stairway.

1 Interior of The Big Baobab A Tante DC 10 2L Restaurant in Ghana 3 I nside view of Alo Barbour Cave in Kenya

4 Entrance of the LA Tante DC 10 Restaurant ining with sharks 5D in Cargo Hold, South Africa he Big Baobab 6T Tree

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The Big Baobab, South Africa Located near Modjadjiskloof in Limpopo Province, South Africa, the Sunland Baobab Estate is home to the famous Baobab Tree bar. It is said that when baobabs become a thousand years old, they begin to hollow inside. This has resulted in wonderful caverns and caves, where the world famous Baobab Tree Bar is built. Up to 15 visitors can enjoy a drink inside the pub that has been built inside the hollow trunk of the majestic tree.

Words: Archana

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Fun Facts People can reach The Rock by foot when low tide or by boat when high tide Cave Restaurant has chambers at depths of up to 10 m below ground level 15 visitors can enjoy a drink inside the Baobab Tree Bar.

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Memoirs of 9/11

The museum displays artifacts both monumental and deeply intimate from the day when terrorists killed nearly 3,000 in New York

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T

iffany Butler, 36, is an American citizen and mother of two. Last December, when she was in New York to visit her cousins, she made sure that she visited the National September 11 Memorial Museum with her young children before flying home to California.

She feels it is very important for her children to know about the dreadful day when America was attacked by terrorists. And for her, “visiting the museum is an emotional experience”.

It has been about 10 months since the museum opened to the public, and Butler is one among the thousands of people who have visited the museum at least once, if not twice. The museum was supposed to open in 2012 but disagreements among the state, local, public and private authorities that had a hand in its creation delayed the opening. It finally opened in May last year.

Inside, Butler and her children, aged 4 and 6, looked at an exhibit showing satellite footage of New York City.

“This is from a spaceship, and they were able to get pictures looking down,” she explained to them.

Then they turned the next corner in the exhibition hall and stopped near the remains of an emergency vehicle. Butler bent down and told the children that this was one of the vehicles that was destroyed in that incident.

Long list of displays Be it the ‘Last Column’ of the World Trade Centre, or the base of one of the salvaged tridents from the World Trade Centre, or the ‘Survivors’ Stair, the displays includes artifacts, large and small, from firetrucks to personal objects of people who worked in the two towers.

The museum includes two main exhibitions: ‘In Memoriam’, which pays tribute to the 2,983 people killed on September 11 and in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Centre. As well as a historical exhibition telling the story of what happened during and after the attacks. This history will be told through monumental and personal artifacts, photographs, audio and video footage, first-person testimonials and personal possessions and memorabilia.

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5 1R emains of a New York Fire Department Ladder Company

2A decorated pillar from Ground Zero he wall displays 3T pictures to pay tribute to the people killed on that day yeglasses and a case 4E found in the World Trade Centre wreckage 5 A salvaged bicycle rack ieces of the plane of 6P Flight 11 telephone recovered 7A from Ground Zero

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Fast Facts Visitors must walk through a steel and glass pavilion to get inside the museum It is separated into three core sections: the historical, memorial and foundation hall The museum cost $700 million to build

Vast design Except for the handsome entry pavilion designed by the Norwegian architects Snøhetta, the greater part of the vast 10,000 square feet of exhibition space is 70 feet below ground level, at the foundations of the original twin towers. Visitors are drawn into the chasm through a series of ramps, escalators and viewing platforms that lead to the Manhattan core, its bedrock, where the museum—the thoughtful design work of Davis Brody Bond, a New York City firm— divides into two, large square aluminium structures with a luminous sheen.

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In one, a commemorative display of photographs of the nearly 3,000 individuals that died, along with biographical sketches, some accompanied by recorded remembrances, offers touching, often heart-rending, tribute. The other houses an extensive exhibition of the events of that fateful September Tuesday and its aftermath: galleries with displays of wide-ranging objects and artifacts, from battered fire fighters equipment to a lady’s high-heel shoe; audio recordings, including phone messages from WTC office workers; and archival video, photography and scores of other documents.

In the open area between the two structures, the largest objects are placed, a fire truck; part of the north tower radio antennae; a steel support, known as the Last Column, the final remnant to be removed from the site.

Words: Nancy Pathak April-May 2015

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The man who

could fly...

Jonty Rhodes, former South African cricketer, is the Brand Ambassador of South African Tourism India. In this freewheeling chat with flyafrica.com, Jonty tells us that ‘you don’t have to explore South Africa; the country unfolds itself to tell you its story’

You are the brand ambassador of South Africa Tourism. How did this come up?

Two years ago with South African Tourism’s support, I penned down a travel guide titled My South African Diary for Lonely Planet. The fantastic itinerary put together by South African Tourism took me back in time to the places that I visited as a kid with my family. Today after two years, two travel guides and two #TakeMeToSouthAfrica contests with the tourism board, it gives me immense pleasure and encouragement to further promote my country. I want my fans to travel to South Africa and experience our culture and hospitality that we are renowned for. There is one thing distinctive about South Africa, and it’s the fact that you don’t have to explore South Africa; the country unfolds itself to tell you its story.

What do you think is the best thing in South Africa from tourism point of view?

South Africa mesmerises you with its pristine beauty and vibrant culture. The country is every traveller’s dream-come-true as it offers enormous possibilities to have the holiday of their lifetime. You name any experience — adventure, luxury, scenic beauty, vibrant culture, food that teases your taste buds or warm, friendly hospitality — you will find it here in South Africa.

The top attractions that every tourist should look forward to in South Africa include Cape Town & Cape Peninsula, The Winelands, Garden Route, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Durban beachfront, Robben Island, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve and Wild Coast.

First cricket, then coach and now a brand ambassador, how do you manage to do so many things at the same time?

When I Ôpacked away my batÕ in 2003, I took up a full-time position with Standard Bank, as I had trained as a business banker. However, my love for cricket was still alive and hence I decided to return to the game as a fielding coach for South Africa and later with the IPL team, Mumbai Indians. Because of the cricketing time commitments involved, Standard Bank and April-May 2015

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At a glance...

I agreed to reduce my position to more ‘part-time’. I also spend a lot of my time travelling. Cricket always kept me busy with matches so never actually got the opportunity to explore countries at leisure. Since 2012, South African Tourism in India has kept me very busy with multiple initiatives as their brand ambassador.

Jonty made his Test debut against India in the year 1992 He made his ODI debut against Australia in the same year Though he scored over 5,000 runs for South Africa in ODIs, he was more famous for his fielding.

How crucial is the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions segment to tourism revenue for South Africa?

South Africa is a growing market for MICE tourism as the destination offers varied experiences to make any MICE activity in the country truly worth remembering.

By hosting a variety of global events such as the FIFA World Cup 2010, Indian Premier League 2, the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference, BRICS Summit among others, South Africa has repeatedly displayed the country’s potential in hosting large scale and highprofile events. All the nine provinces of South Africa offer excellent infrastructure, distinctive attractions and unforgettable experiences to MICE groups.

Do you love to travel?

Travelling enhances your knowledge about the destination you are visiting, people who you are meeting, it tells you about the culture of the country. When I travel to a new destination first thing I do is pick up the guide for the destination to see what all are the things to do.

My work gives me the opportunity to travel across the world, but it has been travelling more out of compulsion than leisure. While I have visited several cities in South Africa over the years, my tight schedule never left with me much time to explore those places. Moreover, spending quality time in home country becomes even more difficult. When South African Tourism approached me two years ago to write a travel diary for them, I was more than happy to work on it as this gave me an opportunity to revisit places in South Africa which I had not visited for a very long time. It was like walking down memory lane, places that I visited as a kid with my family.

1 Airborne Jonty Rhodes catches Robert Croft in the Emirates Trophy match against England at Edgbaston in August 1988 2 He also loves to travel to various destinations 3 He is also the Brand Ambassador of South African Tourism India

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I love India; the diversity in the food and culture, which makes travelling throughout the IPL very exciting. India is like second home to me. Whenever I am here I am greeted by warm and friendly people, the hospitality of this country truly wins you over. I was snow-boarding in Kashmir few months back and I just loved the experience, it was so much fun. I recommend it to all the friends who ask me what to do while in India. I love surfing in the beaches of Kerala. The one thing that I really want to do now is to ride a Royal Enfield to Ladakh.

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What about destinations in Africa?

I have been to Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana for holidays, as my love for wildlife and surfing keeps me looking for new and exciting adventures! Various humanitarian missions have seen me climb Kilimanjaro and help rescue a caged chimpanzee in Central African Republic, while distributing malaria nets with the legendary Kingsley Holgate.

What about your favourite cuisine?

In summer, I enjoy to savour sushi while in winter I enjoy a good steak. I also love the food available across India, where the local dishes are as unique as the language and customs. I totally enjoy Gulab Jamun, one serving of this desserts satisfies my sweet tooth craving. One of my favourite restaurants in Cape Town is also Indian named Bukhara.

You have been a great fielder all round. What is the key to being a good fielder?

Fitness is the key for any sports men. If you are fit and athletic, it comes naturally to you to jump, dive, stretch 1 2

April-May 2015

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and be swift on the field. While fielding, you should be expecting the ball to be hit to you, every time it is bowled — on this way, I was able to ‘anticipate’ very well, and respond quickly when the ball was hit in my direction. Finally, fielding should be fun — well, I enjoyed it anyway — and I usually practice short and sharp with the boys. However, the intensity of my practice is very high. I would rather not have a fielding practice, than have the players less than 100% committed to my drills. So we never practice just for the sake of it — if I feel that they have caught and thrown enough cricket balls, I don’t make them do any more.

You are currently the fielding coach for the Mumbai Indians. How has your experience been?

It’s been a great experience and learning curve working with the team. We have kids from the state level playing alongside international legends, which really builds their confidence. It’s exciting to coach so many kinds of players at the same time.

Professional cricketers spend a great deal of time working on their batting and bowling, and when as much time and intensity is added to their fielding, you see a remarkable improvement. I have had the opportunity to work with some real legends of the game, and some future superstars! The only challenge I have is to try and make sure million dollar fingers don’t get broken at my practice drills, while still maintaining a high intensity session!

Is it okay for you to be remembered more for your fielding than your batting?

There have been so many cricketers who have retired from the game without much being remembered about their contribution and the sacrifices it took to even reach the international stage. So I suppose I am grateful that I am at least remembered for something!

What was the biggest day in the field for you?

It has to be the run out of Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistani cricketer) during the 1992 World Cup. Fielding is not necessarily about skill. I played soccer, field hockey, rugby and tennis and taught myself how to field.

I used to team up with Gary Kirsten after the net session was over. I used all other sports to teach myself fielding. Fielding is hard work, but one must look at it as fun and enjoy it.

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There have been so many cricketers who have retired without much being remembered... I am at least remembered for something Why do you think South Africa doesn’t have a World Cup in their kitty?

India have shown that there is such a thing as home ground advantage, in the last ODI World Cup, so Australia and New Zealand have a good chance to make the semis, along with South Africa and India. The West Indies and Pakistan are always dangerous, and Sri Lanka has made it into the final a couple of times, but I am hoping for an India vs South Africa final this time and hopefully we will take the Cup home.

What first got you into surfing? When and where did you begin surfing?

I started surfing when I retired from cricket, at the start of 2004, as I had figured that as somebody who had led a pretty active lifestyle for the past 15 years playing cricket and hockey, I would want to remain fairly fit. I lived in Durban at the time and found the conditions ideal, as the water was warm all year round, and the beachfront piers made the paddle out to backing a great deal easier!

What are your favourite surf destinations in the world and which surfers in the world have inspired your surfing?

Jeffery’s Bay on the Eastern Coast of South Africa is one of my favourite spots to surf anywhere in the world! I have been inspired by Mick Fanning, as I met him on the Gold Coast while I was playing beach cricket there a few years ago, and he took me off for a surf session at one of his favourite spots!

What is your favourite pastime?

I enjoy being outdoors, participating in some form of activity — surfing, hiking, mountain biking and rounding it off with a tasty braai dinner! And of course, drinking some of our exceptional wines and craft beer that are readily available.

Words: Abhishek Chakraborty

This interview is conducted before the World Cup final.

April-May 2015

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gadgets

Best of CES 2015 Consumer Electronics Show 2014 was all about connected home. 2015 seems to be the year of the connected human

Belt

Sony’s ‘floating’ 4K TV (XBR-X900) Sony’s super-thin new ultra-HD TV has 65-inch beauty spun around and around, showcasing the edge-to-edge screen. However, its most impressive feature is how slender and elegant it is. The TV is 4.9mm at its thinnest, which is slimmer than a smartphone. That means the device can almost disappear into your wall when mounted. While we were enamoured of its waistline, the new 4K model’s picture quality is also something to behold.

The Belty checks the size of your waist line — and then adjust your belt accordingly. Made by French startup Emiota, the belt keeps an eye on your belly and watches it, supposedly as a measure of your general fitness. The belt is big and bulky and was accompanied by excited people taking photographs of one another’s midriffs while they were wearing it at CES. Like most of the stuff shown off at CES, the Belty is just a prototype and there’s no announcement of pricing or availability.

Witricity Witricity is one of those companies that makes products that go into products you buy. In this case, those products are chargers that receive electricity through the air.

Plug a Witricity-powered transmitter into the wall and you can set a Witricity-powered torch lamp almost anywhere in your room and not plug it into a wall outlet to use it. You can place up to 10 smartphones, media players and other battery-powered devices on a countertop within a foot or so of a Witricity charger, and it will charge all of their batteries without your needing to plug in any of them.

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gadgets

Mercedes-Benz F015 concept car looks way, way forward Mercedes-Benz made the F015 Luxury in Motion concept a poster car for the future. It’s an autonomous driving car that can practically help an old lady across the street, beaming a crosswalk onto the road and giving a reassuring audio prompt.

It’s a car designed to let you relax while it drives, with seats that can spin and touchscreens built all around the interior. Oh, and it runs on hydrogen gas, whose only exhaust is water.

ThinOptics Smartphone Reading Glasses

CyberPower Fang Trinity

They’re probably 1,000 times less audacious than this show’s most bombastic TV. And they don’t even have any electronic parts. But the ThinOptics reading glasses are the thinnest and most exotically constructed readers you’ll ever find and slip directly into custom-designed cases for various iPhones and Galaxy phones. $39 buys you a pair of glasses and the smartphone case.

There were a lot of PCs at CES, but none of them grabbed more attention than CyberPower’s crazylooking Fang Trinity. What’s amazing is the Trinity Fang has a real graphics card in it, a closed-loop liquid cooler and real desktop processor. And it will actually be built and sold, unlike some crazy prototypes at CES that go nowhere.

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in-flight menu

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Are you hungry?

Savoury Snacks Crisps Savoury biscuits Biltong (chilli/plain)

ZAR 20,00 20,00 40,00

USD $2,00 $2,00 $4,00

Sweets Chocolate bar Packet of sweets

20,00 20,00

$2,00 $2,00

Cold Beverages Cold drinks 20,00 Juice 200ml 20,00 Water Still 330 ml 20,00

$2,00 $2,00 $2,00

Alcoholic Beer 40,00 $4,00 Wine 187 ml 50,00 $5,00 Hot Beverages Coffee 20,00 Tea 20,00 Hot Chocolate 20,00

$2,00 $2,00 $2,00

* The above items may not be available on the aircraft at all times ** In case of pre-booked snacks not available the closest alternative will be offered.

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