Well, so much for my educational.....

All good plans are made to absorb change. So my 19 night educational visit to the Eastern Cape came to a grinding halt after only seven nights. So be it, an opportunity to be a part of a team supporting 150 inbound delegates to Cape Town is to be fully embraced and supported.

So what did I learn and experience ? I met the very folk who are charged with looking after my clients. JD at the Roberston Small Hotel, always good for a story or two, Paula at De Zeekoe, owner and passionate driver of all things meerkat and beyond and taking of &beyond, Mandy & her team at &Beyonds Kwandwe. All good folks on their respective paths of providing exemplary hospitality to our industry.

There is one soul whom I want to raise a little higher though. Arriving way past my indicated hour at The Dunes in St Francis Bay, I stumbled into the classic colonial surrounds warmed by a chatty fire ( it spoke to me ! ) to meet someone I have communicated with on numerous occasions and according to my clients placed here is " special ".

Well Sarah is more than just special, she is I believe one of those unique souls who understands the very base element of our industry. Sarah arranged for a glass of red wine, my dinner table by the warmth of the fireplace. Sarah cooked my dinner herself ! I mean come on folks, she then sat with me for the best part of three hours as we exchanged stories, thoughts & beliefs. Ok, so I was the only " guest " there but sjoe, what a wonderful manner to ensure that a guest is well looked after. We need more like Sarah.

I also want to mention a man who shared his unbridled passion for meerkat with me. Devey is a little different from most. He lives life to the absolute full. He has a relationship with animals that is rare and a blessing to witness. He embodies respect for and understanding of their needs. He appreciates the line between habituation of the meerkat mob ( family ) and human intervention. It was cold when we arrived where they had bedded the night before. as the sun rose over the eastern horizon, a sharp hairy snout emerged foll wed by a highly attentive and aware creature. More came up as the alarm call for cover was not issued. Fifteen in total emerged and faced east. Exposing their tummies to the morning sun, Devey explained that this region of their anatomy is similar to a solar panel, absorbing even the weak rays of the African sun before they head out to forage for their food.

I stood with these character filled creatures marvelling at their social networking. They were comfortable for me to be within ten of fifteen feet of them as they are now habituated to the presence of slightly larger " meer men " !

Now I am back here in Cape Town filled with my experiences both with humans & Mother Nature with plans for returning already seeping through my business brain. The scenery en route was completely awesome ! Raging rivers, low grey clouds and closed passes all made for a fun time out in Our Africa.... Our African story continues