Africa

The Natural Wonderland of Namibia

By Charmaine Hallmark / November 5, 2018 /

THE NATURAL WONDERLAND OF NAMIBIA I’ve seen 10 times more table mountains than Cape Town, Canyons bigger than the Grand Canyon in America, Sand Dunes higher than the Pyramids in Egypt and 1000 more seals on the beach than Kangaroo Island in Australia! Where have I been? Namibia! When you think that nothing more can…

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The Circle of Life

By Charmaine Hallmark / October 9, 2018 /

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE Today I cried. It was unexpected. First it was tears of fear and sadness, then it was tears of joy – an acceptance of life, and death, in the wild, wild bush of Africa. The Circle of Life. It was dawn, we were out in a comfy safari jeep – just…

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South Africa – A week is not enough

By Charmaine Hallmark / May 22, 2018 /

SOUTH AFRICA, A WEEK IS NOT ENOUGH! On Monday we were looking forward with little enthusiasm to another rather routine week ahead. On Wednesday we were thundering down the Gatwick runway on board a flight to Johannesburg. It had been a very special last-minute offer and we had decided to seize the opportunity of a…

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South Africa for all kinds of Safaris!

By Charmaine Hallmark / April 30, 2018 /

SOUTH AFRICA, FOR ALL KINDS OF SAFARIS  Shamwari on the East Cape? Or Kruger National Park? And all in-between! Here’s my invitation to help you make the choice… first  I spent a couple of nights at Shamwari, near Port Elizabeth. We slept in tents (quite luxurious!) and easily met all the Big Five (Elephant, Rhino,…

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The Open Road in South Africa!

By Charmaine Hallmark / November 10, 2015 /

THE OPEN ROAD IN SOUTH AFRICA Although October in England has beautiful colours, it has cool temperatures, so when I had the chance for a few days in a warmer climate and to see the equally beautiful colours of the green trees in the bush of South Africa, I was up for the change! So…

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South Africa – 5 Star Style!

By Charmaine Hallmark / June 23, 2015 /

SOUTH AFRICA, 5 STAR STYLE  Fine weather, fine accommodation, fine dining, fine wine, and the finest sightseeing… that’s South Africa… if it’s time for you to have some finery – read on! My first night was in Paarl, at the beautiful Grand Roche Hotel. The Grand Roche is a small hotel, just 34 rooms, located…

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Saturday Kitchen – South Africa Style!

By Charmaine Hallmark / June 24, 2014 /

SATURDAY KITCHEN SOUTH AFRICAN STYLE I love cooking, I love food and I love travel! So an invitation to compete in a cooking competition in Sun City with some fellow travel agents was irresistible! First we visited Cape Town. In the shadow of Table Mountain, I went sightseeing! V&A Waterfront, Green Market Square, Parliament &…

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Bee-U-Tee-ful Botswana! (video clip)

By Charmaine Hallmark / October 2, 2013 /

BEE-U-TEE-FUL BOTSWANA I couldn’t believe that I was in the midst of the Kalahari Desert! It was green, full of marshes, watery channels and huge expanses of flooded plains. Of course this was the Okavango Delta – an area of desert (graded by the lack of rain), which is flooded by rivers that flow from…

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Escape to the Cape

By Charmaine Hallmark / June 12, 2013 /

ESCAPE TO THE CAPE My 10 day trip started in Cape Town, affectionally called “The Mother City”, which consistently features as one of the world’s top ten cities. Nestled next to Table Mountain, Cape Town is a clean, lively and cosmopolitan city. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is a great place to shop, eat or…

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South Africa – Something new and amazing with each visit! (video clip)

By Charmaine Hallmark / June 12, 2013 /

SOMETHING NEW AND AMAZING WITH EACH VISIT South Africa – Something new and amazing with each visit by Gabriele Scholes I am so excited! Only a night flight away, and with no jetlag to worry about – I am in Johannesburg where it’s sunny of course, and as I dive into the pool, I forget…

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