POTOGRAPHER GAVIN FURLONGER'S MEMORY LANE

AMANDA BACK KIDNAPPED 78

TRAVEL SOUTH AFRICA A POPULAR TOURIST ATTRACTION

A FEW NECESSARY FACTS:

Population: 50.59-million South Africa.

Ethnic Group: Black African 79.4%, White 9.2%, Coloured 8.8%, Indian/Asian 2.6% 

11 Official languages: Afrikaans, English, IsiNdebele, IsiZulu, Sesotho sa Leboa, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, IsiXhosa.  The later is spoken by approximately 18% of the population.  It sure is fascinating to listen to, and everyone upon hearing this sound, immediately tries to imitate it, go ahead and see if you can master this – go here it's very short and sweet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gytCi5a7AJg

Welcome to Langa 

Langa township Image: Noleen Kutash ©

TRAVEL SOUTHERN AFRICA A LETTER FROM AFRICA NAMIBIA part 2

The first diamond in Namibia was discovered in 1908 in a town called Lüderitz; near the southern tip of the Namib Desert, the largest desert in the world beside the Sahara.  On our way there, Elzette proceeded to tell me; that she did not want to mention anything to me before, but that the wind normally blows here at a hell of a pace.  And that we were so lucky weather wise, for if we had wind, the dunes on either side of the road could have removed the paint of my car and even sandblasted my windows to such a degree that I would have had to replace them.  Remember that song:  “what a fine time to leave (tell) me Lucille” well it kept playing in my head, seeing that we were in my little Jetta.   We were booked into a B&B with typical German name “Zur Waterkant” (next to the water), Our view...

Lüderitz Image: Noleen Kutash ©

TRAVEL SOUTHERN AFRICA THE "CRÈME DE LA CROP" OF NAMIBIA

“For all the toll the desert takes of a man it gives compensations, deep breaths, deep sleep, and the communion of the stars.” Mary Austin.  In the case of Wilfred Thesiger, well-known British explorer, who wrote about his experience in the Arabian Desert, could just as well have written this about the Namib:  “No man can live this life and emerge unchanged.  He will carry, however faint, this imprint of the desert, the brand which marks the nomad; and he will have within him the yearning to return.  For this cruel land can cast a spell which no temperate clime can match.”

Today I’m going to tell you about a place called “Wolvedans” (Wolves Dance) – one of the largest privately owned nature reserves in Southern Africa. 

TRAVEL SOUTHERN AFRICA A LETTER FROM AFRICA NAMIBIA part 1

My Dearest Friends, I’m back from Namibia clocking 6,600 on the speedometer and over 800 images on the Canon. Namibia is 318,259 square miles with a population of only 1.771 million. It is bordered by South Africa to the south and southeast, Botswana and Zimbabwe on the east, Angola on the north, and the South Atlantic Ocean on the west. You can drive for hours and hours on end without seeing a single building, car or person only animals and I just loved it. Let me begin at the beginning.

I departed Somerset West on the 21st of July, in my Jetta following my friend Elzette and her husband Ronnie in their 4x4. We were in no rush and decided to spend the first night on the South African side of the boarder. We stayed in a town called Springbok, in the Namaqualand district (world renowned area for the wildflowers that pop-up everywhere for as far as the eye can see).

Namaqualand Flowers Image Noleen Kutash ©

THE WILD HORSES OF THE NAMIB DESERT

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AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER ADRIAN BAILEY

TRAVEL SOUTH AFRICA BEST PROPERTY IN THE WORLD AND THE WINNER IS

Award-winning Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa has launched its ultra-luxury beach accommodation offering, Pezula Private Castle on Noetzie Beach, one of the most exclusive destinations in the world. Live like royalty in this magnificent residence, where Nelson Mandela chose to spend a week with his family. Built into the cliff-face on Noetzie Beach, it offers discerning guests direct beach access, huge luxurious suites with private terraces, and personal service from a dedicated team of staff including an executive butler and private chef. http://www.pezula.com/

A WEDDING PROPOSAL EXTRAORDINAIRE

How do a guy ask a girl to marry, look here how someone did it in style... Flash mob wedding proposal Sandton City on 6Aug2011. An unexpected wedding proposal by a romantic in one of the biggest public malls in Johannesburg - SANDTON CITY.

UNIQUE LIGHTING FIXTURES BY PHASES AFRICA

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BURST PENDANT LIGHT 

(With 3 different settings: closed, medium open and wide open)

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BURST PENDANT LIGHT medium open phasesafrica.com

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Please select read more for further details and more unique lighting

TRAVEL SOUTH AFRICA A LETTER FROM AFRICA NR. 3 Part 3

I woke up at Crocodile Bridge Camp in Kruger National Park, early on the morning of March 17, 2009. Unbeknownst to me, at this hour, was the fact that I’d come within 2 feet of a 12 foot snake before the day was done.

I had to meet up with my friend Elzette and her husband Ronnie in Komatipoort; known as the warmest town in all of South Africa, reaching temperatures of 50° Celsius (122° F ) in summer. Ronnie’s passion for vintage cars was the reason we were meeting here. Just outside Komatipoort, on a beautiful farm, you’ll find Herman Nel’s Old Car Haven Museum. This farm is approximately 5 km from the Mozambique boarder and 56 km from Swaziland boarder. It’s here in Herman’s museum after returning from a drive, in one of the old cars, that Herman, Elzette, Ronnie and I were chatting and enjoying a cocktail. Ronnie was sitting on a wall and reached back to place his empty glass behind him (notice where he placed the glass in the image) right next to this 12 foot (3.65 meter) snake.

PYTHON SNAKE IMAGE: NOLEEN KUATSH ©

TRAVEL SOUTH AFRICA CAPE TOWN FASHION WEEK

TRAVEL SOUTH AFRICA A STORY ABOUT A MAN HIS WINE, GOATS AND THE FRENCH SURRENDER

It’s cold and raining in Cape Town; I’m sitting in front of the fireplace with a lovely glass of red Goats do Roam. I’m thinking about Interschool’s almost a 100 year old tradition taking place this weekend in my hometown Paarl. These two rival schools Paarl Gymnasium and Boy’s High is a major event in school rugby.  http://rugbyrugby.com/news/news/southern_hemisphere/6992918/interskole__it_s_massive 

I’ll be there wearing my green and gold supporting Paarl Gymnasium my old school.  I’m looking forward to participating in the absolute euphoria that encompasses it all; reminiscing with old friends that come from here and afar.  All united in their boisterous battle cries for their respective schools even though some left more than a half a century ago.   On Friday both schools have the “Big Brag” which basically is a congregation of all the current students, their parents and the old boys/girls getting together in the assembly rooms for the rally cry at their respective schools.  So in the spirit of this weekend, let me share an inspiring story of my fellow classmate at Paarl Gymnasium, Charles Back owner of the wine I’m enjoying whiles writing this tale.

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AFRICAN FASHION WEEK/ NEW YORK 2011 "WHERE FASHION BEGAN"

TRAVEL SOUTH AFRICA A LANDMARK BUILDING HOUSES AFRICA'S TRENDSETTERS IN FASHION AND DESIGN

Cape Town was established in 1652, when the first Dutch settlers arrived, led by Jan van Riebeek.  The original structure for “Merchants on Long” was built not long after this.  Inside you can see the original “koffie klip” (coffee stone) wall’s made out of slate taken directly form Table Mountain, this dates the building back to then, around 350 years ago.  Long street use to be called “De Derde Berg Dwars Straat” (The Third Road Parallel to the Mountain.)  Merchants on Long is housed at number 34; its name derived from the gold leaf letters on the facade which still read “Merchants.”