Innehållsförteckning för October 2024 från Getaway

There's no denying this past winter was long and gruelling, with more than its fair share of challenges on numerous fronts. It trapped us inside our homes, many of us not daring to venture from the warmth and security unless necessary. But now that's all changing as we firmly welcome days filled with sunshine and blue skies. It's time to put our hibernating ways behind us and explore the world again – I know I will. While exploring faraway lands is always a good idea, so is discovering places on your doorstep. Make a reservation at that new restaurant whose grand opening you spotted on social media during an endless scrolling session while you were wrapped in your winter woollies. Make your way to a festival or take that long…

WHERE ON EARTH? Flowers for Tihar Tihar, also known as Deepawali, swanti or Yamapanchak, is a five-day Hindu festival of Diwali that takes place annually in Nepal. It celebrates light, people, animals and kinship that honours Yama, the god of the dead, and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. There are garlands made of marigolds and these flowers are also offerings to the gods. In this photograph, a woman picks the auspicious blooms ahead of the Tihar festival, gathering them in a traditional basket.…

BRIEFS First Person I wanted to know how long my family had lived in Kalk Bay. I found church records of my great-great-great-grandparents’ marriage and baptism on 16 June 1846, which also stated their residence: Kalk Bay, and occupation: fisherman. I cried because I realised how firmly rooted I am to this land. Kalk Bay's fishing community is a creolisation of precolonial inhabitants, the Khoisan people, and enslaved bodies from Indonesia, the Philippines, Portugal, India, the Netherlands and Britain, who established traditional practices like handline fishing and harvesting. Small-scale fishers depend on fish as a source of nourishment as much as income. They have a reciprocal, spiritual relationship with the ocean, taking just enough, giving stocks and species a chance to grow so they can eat the following year, and…

While trail running can be demanding and challenging at the time, when it's Dver, you only remember the fun and accomplishment. The Brooks Cascadia 18 is for trail runners seeking an adaptable shoe that can take on all terrain and provide the necessary comfort. Brooks Cascadia 18 offers: • Adaptable stability. Their new Trail Adapt System uses an integrated midsole, rock plate and zonal outsole pods to offer enhanced control and a stable ride over any terrain. • Comfort and security. DNA LOFT v2 provides soft cushioning over any terrain, while TrailTack Green outsole rubber offers enhanced traction on wet and dry surfaces and features 25% recycled material. • Protective upper. Breathable mesh is durable and dries fast, while overlays in high-wear areas add a layer of protection for the…

TRAVEL Motoring Gqeberha is an interesting town, part industrial and logistics hub, part coastal holiday zone – though, to be honest, Cape St Francis and Port Alfred probably share the holiday crown along that stretch of the South African coastline. And let's not forget Jeffreys Bay – JBay, legendary surf mecca with its powerful, fast right-hand point break. It's not for nothing the little spot is world-renowned, drawing surfers to Supertubes since 1966, when The Endless Summer expanded the world's mind. As for Gqeberha – or Port Elizabeth as it used to be known – it's all about metal and machine. Okay, a lot, but not all. It has been for quite some time: Ford, the American vehicle maker, started making Model T cars in a disused wool shed in…

Sarah Crone A MELTING POT OF CULTURES. CREATURES, COLOURS AND CHAOS (P 52) Sarah Crone is an independent financial adviser and hobbyist wildlife photographer. Born and raised in KwaZulu-Natal, she moved to the Cape in 2017 and now commutes to Durban monthly to run her advisory firm, with the odd trip to the bush thrown in. Sarah escapes to KZN's wilderness and Southern and East Africa with her husband, Anton, as often as possible. He shares her love of photography and all creatures, great and small. She is passionate about Africa and travelling the continent. Sue Adams THE GREAT GREEN CANYON (P 68) Sue Adams has travelled worldwide but her true passion is journeying in Africa, particularly South Africa. She grew up in an adventurous family, exploring the lesser-known places,…

There's no denying there is something special about KwaZulu-Natal. While it sports a breathtaking coastline and mountains, this province is steeped in history, tradition and culture. When visiting, most people plan their holiday around spending time in Durban. While there is, most certainly, nothing wrong with heading to that epic city, you shouldn't overlook all Zululand offers. Just two days in this beautiful area is not enough, but it's a good start, as there is loads to do and explore, no matter which town you find yourself in. HEAD TO HLUHLUWE Just short of a three-hour drive from Durban, Hluhluwe is KZN's pineapple kingdom, as the area is one of South Africa's top two pineapple-producing regions (the other being in the Eastern Cape). Hluhluwe is responsible for over 90% of…

The first thing you need to know is that Kwsndo means ‘at our home’. The second is that this particular home is the western side of the 175 OOO ha Kwara Private Concession, arguably the last pristine and unexplored place in the Okavango Delta. To put that ‘unexplored’ idea in perspective: Kwara is two-and-a-half times the size of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and has about 10 tents in just three camps; Sabi Sands has about 20 lodges. It is a refuge to stunning biodiversity; African wild dog, lion, cheetah leopards, eland and more; bat-eared fox, roan and sable antelope, tsessebe, steenbok, herds of wildebeest and buffalo, zebra, kudu, giraffe and warthog. And 4 Rivers has exclusive use. It's built around hard timber trees, such as tall mopane and jackalberry,…

Stay Here Ever stayed in a lighthouse? Now you can. In addition to doing what it was commissioned for, this idyllic National Monument offers travellers a unique experience. It is rare to find a destination that is both historic and one-of-a-kind. Enjoy an unparalleled stay inside this extraordinary landmark. The accommodation comprises two luxurious self-catering wings, attached to the lighthouse tower on either side. The original lighthouse keepers’ quarters have been thoughtfully restored with modern amenities and luxuries while preserving their original character. Breakfast at NEVERMIND RESTAURANT (sealpointlighthouse.com) is included in your stay. Each wing costs R5 000 per couple per night.…

DESPATCHES Food There's just something about McGregor, says Billy Kennedy, Temenos Retreat owner, founder, gardener and peaceful seeker, over breakfast at the restaurant attached to the sanctuary. He settled here in 1996 after many visits – and knows what he's talking about. At lunch, Benita Gouws, the owner of The Blend, says there are 13 eateries in the village and so many fabulous cooks you're never in want of a good meal. It's that kind of place. Once bitten, always smitten. THE PROOF IS IN THE EATING There is no way to enjoy all of McGregor's offerings in one visit; we recommend several. First stop, Temenos Retreat – one of the most deeply settling places you're likely to come across. Anywhere. There is a tangible sense of the divine in…

TRAVEL Into Africa Tunisia's fusion of cultures make it a refreshing place full of surprises: from the sea view of Sidi Bou Said to the dynamic energy of the Medina in the centre of Tunis, a boutique hotel in the heart of the desert, the music scene and dynamic nightlife. Tunisia is a liberal Islamic country with a complex, rich history, and has experienced many cultural influences: French, Italian and Maltese. The result is a country booming with offerings from music to food and the arts that celebrate its heritage with a modern twist to surprise even the most seasoned travellers. My father's job had required him to work in Tunisia over the course of a year, and I'd accompanied him a few times. I decided to spend my three-month…

SOWETO WALK 4 LIFE 5 October SOWETO THEATRE, JABULANI, SOWETO Join the vibrant Soweto Walk 4 Life this October and celebrate health, wellness and community. Now in its fifth year, this event welcomes participants of all ages and fitness levels to enjoy a scenic route through the heart of Soweto, highlighting the town's rich cultural heritage. Choose from a 5 km or 8 km walk, an 8 km run or the Kidz Dash. Don't miss this unique chance to embrace a healthier lifestyle through a festive community-driven experience. Tickets: from R120 webtickets.co.za THE BOXER SUPER RUN 13 October LAGOON DRIVE, STAMFORD HILL, DURBAN Runners of all ages and fitness levels participate in this thrilling 5 km race along the Durban Promenade. Whether you're an elite athlete aiming for a personal…

Recognition of Africa's cultural value is growing, underlined by Unesco adding five new World Heritage sites in Africa to its list this year. There are now 117 sites (in the three cultural, natural and mixed categories) in Africa spread across 36 countries. South Africa and Ethiopia top the list, each with 12 sites. The five new sites are: The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa. There are three Middle Stone Age archaeological spaces in this series, all of which, Unesco says, contribute to the understanding of the origin of behaviourally modern humans, their cognitive abilities and cultures, and the climatic transitions that they survived – this is super-important as we face climatic transitions today. They are Diepkloof Rock Shelter (Elands Bay) and Pinnacle Point…

Vagabond BY MARK EVELEIGH Summersdale, R400 (exclusivebooks.co.za) Anyone with a passing interest in travel and/or walking has surely at least heard of Spain's Camino. People who do it come back awed, filled with self-knowledge, peace and so forth. This is not that walk. This is the story of the author's solo 1 225-km hike across the Iberian Peninsula, from Gibraltar in the far south to Estaca de Bares, Spain's most northerly tip, with just a backpack and a hammock. So quite a bit longer than the Camino then, and through the less-known small villages and forgotten communities, even Extremadura, Spain's least-visited region. It's a contemporary tale of the old tradition of the wanderer – a lifestyle that is pretty much dying out – and a joyful celebration of the slow…

Oh, no! That was my first thought when I read the itinerary for a recently planned trip. ‘Sunrise yoga on the deck’ may as well have been highlighted in neon yellow and framed with flashing lights. That was definitely an activity I was not looking forward to. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with yoga – I find myself occasionally dabbling in the practice. But – and this is a big but – I do so alone in the comfort of my home while watching a YouTube video, intentionally away from prying eyes. Doing it this way always allows me a sense of security, knowing I can flop down in an unsightly state should I need to. Yeah, this ‘on the deck’ business wouldn't work for me at all……

TRAVEL Adventure Mabula Game Reserve, tucked in the foothills of the Waterberg massif in Limpopo, is home to two tented escapes: Safari Plains – for those who prefer the frills – and Kwafubesi, for the adventurer chasing an up-close experience of SA's Big and Little 5 in the bushveld. My journey started as they often do – with an Engen pie, a road trip playlist, Google Maps and a good friend, Ingrid – a seasoned adventurer at the wheel of Penny, her dependable Hyundai Atos. Our trusty silver steed got us from the city's suburbs to the dirt roads of Mabula in less than two-and-a-half hours, without a scratch. SAFARI PLAINS A swift left turn off the D2533 led us to the main gate of our base, not far from…