WORLD RHINO DAY 22ND SEPT

Today is WORLD RHINO DAY - 22nd SEPT 2010. it is with sadness that I write this, shame as well, as South Africans have been caught killing and poaching Rhino Horns in our National Parks. I am also very angry at these men, as they are professional people who should know better and have done this for greed alone! MONEY the scourge of society. So far 2 vets, a game ranger and others have been involved. I hope the vets are struck from their professional register and that the game ranger is never given an opportunity to work in the industry again. BLACK LIST them. Also NAME & SHAME then.
I believe in COMMUNITY work for all offenders, none of this sitting around watching TV, getting 3 meals a day and a warm bed, while the poor are suffering out there. Get them to work to build houses, make bricks, do woodwork for making the furniture to go into these houses.

Or as my Dad would say send them to the KAROO, to live in open jails. Cold in winter and very hot in summer. Or as the Sheriff in one USA state did have an open jail and make then all wear a colour they hate. They have disgraced our rainbow nation, how about rainbow colours, mostly the pinkish shades.

Now back to the RHINO which is what it is all about. Please educate kids and people that the horns of a RHINO are made from the same substance your nails are made from - SO GO CHEW YOUR OWN NAILS - those of the world that think that RHINO HORN is an aphrodisiac - you really have your head up your .....

But really, what idiot takes what is equivalent to nail shavings, grinds it up and drinks it to get it up - OH PLEASE get real and save these magnificent creatures from extinction.

STOP THE KILLING OF RHINO
STOP THE SELLING OF THE HORNS
DO YOUR PART
BE REAL MEN,
NOT SISSIES
STOP KILLING OUR WILDLIFE

PROUD TO BE SOUTH AFRICAN

Monday, July 12, 2010

PROUD TO BE SOUTH AFRICAN

Last night the world watched the showcase of the final World Cup Soccer as it came to an end, with much applause and ceremony, fire works blazing and the Spanish in seventh heaven, the Netherlands (my team) devastated, it was still, no matter the emotions, an incredible 31 days.

The "gees", meaning enthusiasm, spirit of the game and everything South African, was a uniting factor. All our "woes" were put aside for these past 31 days. We smiled, laughed and sang, also shouted with glee and upset as the 64 games passed at such lightening speed. The world who thought we could not never pull this off are sitting back is disbelief with a little embarrassment of how could AFRICA do this and do it so well.

Well we did, with encouragement, dignity and pride, we showed the world this is AFRICA, we waved our flags, sang the songs and truly a tremendous time was had by all. This is AFRICA" S time just like the opening song said.

Some fools tried their luck and did stupid things, like set up a guy to go into the English teams locker room. Well Simon, your press pass and all your future media work should be barred from publishing and you should be disbarred from any work as a journalist ever again. Shame on you! I think your Mother would be ashamed of your antics.

Despite these "short-sighted" people pulling stunts, generally South Africa, every citizen did us proud and our President Jacob Zuma even thanked us all for our hospitality, for which this country is famous, now given a new name - swop hospitality for - GEES. Pronounced with a guttural G in the back of the throat!!!

So come see what all these supporters felt and saw in this diverse beautiful rainbow nation - as the song says - WHAKA WHAKA eh eh!!

FLAMINGO GUESTS TO PERSONAL FRIENDS

This is a memorial tribute to one of our most "returned" guests, since 1999/2000 season, until just 6 weeks ago - John Bellamy - passed over on 24th February 2010.

Since we came to know John and his wife Janet from the UK, over past 10 + years, they became regular visitors to our fine shores, to watch the cricket at Newlands every January, returning about 5 or 6 times, I have lost track of the actual number of visits, but we became friends rather than a client based relationship. I have found that this has happened with many of our repeat guests.

John enjoyed his cricket, we could even keep pace with his enthusiasm for the game. His pleasure in all things small, like driving Chapman's Peak, just as it was closed back in 2005 or 6 and again recently in January 2010, will stay with us forever. Jeff and I took turns in showing John and his family around, this year his daughter, Helen and his son-in-law Paul, and family members joined them here in Cape Town and we were made to feel like part of their family.

Our deepest sympathy to Janet & Helen on their great loss.

You will be remembered in our list of guests who became friends John.

RIP John, whenever I drive Chappies now, I will think of you and your enthusiastic pleasure you had in riding this road.

I will upload the video I took on this last drive to You Tube - fond memories always our dear friend.

From a sad day in Cape Town, remembering all those "friends" who have been on a holiday with us who are now at a better life - healed and whole again and waiting to meet us all one day!

CRIME STATS - DO NOT BECOME ONE!

When travelling around the world there are certain things you do not do and places you do not visit. So why do some people take their life into their hands and take a chance - human nature, curiosity or just blatant stupidity?? You tell me.





Recently a guest in a large wheelchair, that we only provided airport transfers for, asked us to do a "Township Tour" we told them we do not do that in Cape Town, we offer a more positive experience of "Meet the People" down in the town of Mossel Bay in the Garden Route area. WHY because the locals perceive us to be taking business away from their own people, no matter if we have a "local resident" on board guiding us.





We the tourism desk at the hotel where he was staying got a "township taxi" - was it a legal taxi, did the driver have a professional driver's permit and insurance?? Something we have to have, but township taxis often do not. So they removed the middle seat/s from this vehicle and did the trip, I am sure the wheelchair was not restrained at all. Guests attitude when we told him he was rather reckless, was "I am still here!" Well, that is not the way to do things. I am not saying that he was in danger, but anything could have happened and then you end up being a crime stat through sheer stupidity or not knowing the pro's and con's of doing this like that. The tourism desk should actually get a slap over the wrist as well.





Read my article on Meet the people - Positive Experience V Gold fish bowl on Poverty - on my other blog - http://www.flamingoadventuretours.co.za/

This is Sheila & John from the UK meeting Patrick and his wife, where we had lunch in Patrick's house in the township, during a "Meet the People" tour in Mossel Bay - Garden Route.

A much more positive experience.

Patrick has changed his life from being a gangster and then having a spinal injury during this violent time of his life, to come full circle to getting back on the straight path to "freedom" from that gangster life he lead. Now his dream is to attend the Paralympics in London in 2012, he needs new equipment to make the grade to be included in the South African team.

BUT - THIS IS THE TYPE of EXPERIENCE that uplifts all who go on this tour, rather than the abject poverty of a standard township tour.

So next time you are offered a tour that one operator says NO to, think again about accepting an alternative, ask all the right questions about restraining the wheelchair, insurance, permits etc!

DO NOT BECOME ANOTHER STAT - Please!!

BE safe and enjoy!

PAM - Flamingo Tours & Disabled Ventures - Cape Town - South Africa.