NowTHINK!AboutIt

Review – Berghaven Holiday Cottages, Central Berg

May 30, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Berghaven Holiday Cottages
Rates 4 Stars
Out Of 5

Before visiting the Central Berg in May 2016, we asked friends for recommendations on where to stay and Berghaven Holiday Cottages was mentioned. I also searched online and discovered it was very competitively priced.

We booked four nights and weren’t disappointed.

In the category of self catering accommodations, I can’t say Berghaven is the best but we discovered a few particulars that definitely make it an attractive choice. [Read more…] about Review – Berghaven Holiday Cottages, Central Berg

Scrumpy Jack’s Can’t Be Missed

May 28, 2016 by EnnisP 1 Comment

Easy To Find
Hard To Leave

Literally! You can’t miss Scrumpy Jack’s. It fronts on the road and sits on a hill.

It’s also on the way to just about anywhere you’re going in the Central Drakensberg (7 kilometres south of the Thokozisa information centre on the R600, opposite the turn off to the Ardmore Guest Farm, just after the entrance to The Nest if you’re headed south).

What that long winded description means is it’s right in the middle of anywhere you want to be in the Central Berg.

But the visibility and easy access aren’t the most important bits of information.

I wouldn’t say this shop has everything – no shop does – but it has a very diverse and personalized assortment of offerings: Bee tours, pony rides, a cafe and more. It even has a pet pig named Porky who lazily – sometimes snoringly – welcomes all visitors to the shop.

The shop has a range of delectables to browse and buy: chocolates, nougat, nuts, biltong, jams, brittles, biscuits, teas, coffees and hot chocolate to name a few. I even noticed corn chips and a cool drink cooler.

If you’re snackish or ready for a meal, no worries. Seating is available and they offer puddings or light meals with hot or cold drinks to order.

But there’s more. This is not just another been-there-done-that tourist shop. What makes Scrumpy Jack’s unique are the high quality, locally produced and packaged products that you’ll rarely find any where else. [Read more…] about Scrumpy Jack’s Can’t Be Missed

Central Drakensberg Offers More

May 25, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Both Are Mountainous
But One Is Better

We recently made our first visit to the Central Drakensberg area (near Winterton) and enjoyed the stay immensely. On the map it’s further north than the Southern Berg (near Underberg) but we found it only requires about 30 kilometers more travel distance from Durban, and that’s if you take the long way. The roads are better, though, so travel time is about the same.

Besides the travel issues, we found it more inviting in every category than the Southern region. Both are interesting but Central more so.

Since both areas are remote, most things you buy will be more expensive so they’re equal in that sense, but two things made the Central Berg more accommodating. [Read more…] about Central Drakensberg Offers More

5 Reasons Mom Has More Appeal Than Dad

May 9, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Relationally
Moms Travel 180°

No one comes into this world without both a mother and a father, but Mom clearly has a head start in the race for relationship. Not only does she carry the biggest load, no pun intended, but in the category of supporting role, she has a clear advantage over Dad and usually receives most of the votes.

Mom’s influence is universally so pervading and wholesome we have a long list of pithy sayings expressing how generally wonderful and clever she is.

Mother knows best!
A Mother’s love never ends!
Mothers hold their child’s hand for a moment and their heart for a lifetime!

And examples of Mother’s influence abound.

Arianna Huffington named her mother as the most influential role model in her life.

Bill Gate’s philanthropy was influenced by his mother’s example and words.

Kat Cole transitioned from Babe status at Hooters to business mogul at Cinnabon because her mother said:

You can do anything and I expect you to do everything.

We can’t say enough about Mom. She is probably one of the most affectionately thought of individuals in the world, wedging Dad out by a long shot. Dad is loved also but the question remains: “Why does Mom seemingly maintain such a big lead in the race?” I came up with five quick answers. There may be more. [Read more…] about 5 Reasons Mom Has More Appeal Than Dad

Truth Coffee Shop – Cape Town

March 14, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

A Coffee Roastery
To Remember

Cape Town’s Truth Coffee Shop was rated one of the world’s best by The Telegraph in February 2016, and it was rated alongside several serious contenders. The Best list was comprised of vendors found in the world’s most popular cities.

After visiting the coffee shop (36 Buitenkant Street), I do agree that Truth is unique, but I’m not sure “Best” is the right fit. Not because of any inherent flaws but because there are too many great coffee shops in Cape Town alone to call any one of them the “World’s Best.”

More accurate descriptors might be: Interesting, worth the visit, worth a second visit, worth repeated visits, memorable, clever, appealing, enjoyable and really great food, but “Best” really gives little detail about the shop and is more sensational than helpful.

How To Find It

Sorry but “Convenient” is another word that doesn’t fit. We found Truth easily enough on Google, first page, but then needed a Garmin to get there. It didn’t seem like it was “on the way” to anything. Certainly not on the way for a tourist.

I can’t fault them on that, though, since Cape Town can be a little tangled at times. You learn very quickly that Capetonians never throw old buildings away. Tight fits are common and, I must say, can be very interesting if not a little maddening. Even Garmin gets confused occasionally.

But, if you’re in Cape Town, get out your Garmin and navigate to Truth. We loved it and would happily visit again. Following is what we found.