SAILING THE SUEZ.

SAILING THE SUEZ

High on my husband’s bucket list was the desire to cruise down the Suez Canal – or up!

It did not seem possible as the Middle East was often a no-go zone. That was until the Mediterranean Shipping Company advertised their Grand Voyage Cruise from Genoa in Italy to Durban via the Suez Canal.

The MSC  ‘Sinfonia’ was making its maiden voyage back to South Africa after reconstruction and the planned trip included visiting Greece, Crete, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Seychelles, Mauritius and Reunion before heading back to Durban.

So as a treat for our 65^th birthdays we signed up for a voyage of a lifetime.   We worked out that if we did not sink with the boat on its maiden voyage, if we were not taken out by a military coup in Egypt or taken captive by pirates along the Somalia Coast we would be fine!

The highlight of the trip was sailing the Suez the day after my husband’s birthday.  We spent the day of his birthday celebrating but by 5 p.m. that night we had arrived outside Port Said where all the ships wait to travel in convoy through the Suez at first light.  The level of expectancy was palpable.   Sipping wine on the back deck watching the sun set and the moon rise was spectacular.   ‘Arabian Sunsets’ ‘Arabian nights’ all came to mind.

Unfortunately we were not able to disembark in Port Said because of political instability.   In fact we were not able to visit Egypt at all.

The Suez Canal was inaugurated on the 17^th November, 1869, (my birthday is on the 17^th November so all the more special to us).   It was built by the French making it possible to connect Europe with the East avoiding circumnavigating the African Continent.   It is 193 kms in length and the Egyptians had recently widened the canal so that the two convoys moving in opposite directions could pass each other at one point.   Previously the one convoy would have to move into the Great lakes area to wait for the other convoy to pass.

We left Port Said at 3 a.m. and entered the Suez Canal with an entourage of 3 tug boats and 2 pilots.   A fine haze prevented us from seeing the other ships in our convoy.

What an interesting trip ensued!

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On the Port Side was the Sinai Desert.   Desolate.   Mountains of sand and more sand!

Every 500 metres we saw military barracks and individual sentries posted on top of lonely mounds of sand.   Their solitary footprints in the sand told their own story.  

White bakkies packed with soldiers waving flags were racing up and down the road that ran parallel with the canal.

Occasionally we would see a palace made out of sand stone or a memorial of some sort.

On the Starboard side was Egypt.   Lush and green with palm trees and palatial estates.   A huge wall separated the canal from the road which was very busy with trucks and cars.      A direct contrast to the Port side!

We also noticed military barracks every 500 meters and soldiers and sentries with guns teemed around.   Every so often they would whistle and wave.   A helicopter flew over us crisscrossing from side to side.   We were very impressed when supersonic jets flew over us as well.   Security was paramount.

The ships passing through the Suez Canal definitely enjoyed a high level of security.   We presumed that because they paid so much to travel the route this was what they actually paid for.   We had been told that it cost our ship some $700,000 to use this route.

The bridges that spanned the Suez were majestic in their construction and unique in their design.   We were fascinated and intrigued.

Eventually with aching eyes and stiff necks we returned to our cabin to find  there was no TV.   It was a bit annoying as we had been enjoying CNN news and the Italian TV channel.   We seemed to be cut off from the world.

That evening the chef outdid himself or should I say the chefs, as there are about 70 of them on board.   They treated us to an amazing array of Middle Eastern dishes.

It was only the following day when we had come out of the Suez and into the Red Sea and moved into Israeli waters that communications from the outside world reached us.   We were horrified!

A Russian plane had been blown up over the Sinai Desert the previous day and they were considering it to be an act of terrorism.

No wonder there was so much visible military action all around us through the Suez!

What a target we would have made!

Despite the threat we were very impressed with the whole experience and continued to enjoy a wonderful cruise back home.

  

Cafe La Rose -Oh La La!!!

Café La Rose –Oh La La!!!

There is a hidden gem in the middle of Howick that hardly anyone knows about –Café La Rose!

I happened upon this quirky little coffee shop cum gift shop in Mare St away from the hustle and bustle of the busy CBD and was transported into another world.

The gift shop has genuine antiques as well as less expensive ‘bric a brac’.  There is something for everyone.   A florist shop called ‘The Antique Rose’ is also run from the premises and next door is a handmade furniture shop.

But it is the coffee shop that I really enjoy.   Their logo is ‘The little GEM where good friends love to meet’ and they really live up to their vision.   Quirky tables and chairs inside and out on their veranda invite you in and beckon you to sit and stay.

The shop is only open Monday to Fridays from 9 a.m. and on warm days patrons are invited to join them for High Tea (R65-00) from 4 to 6 p.m.   You are welcome to bring your own wine and chill on their verandah while enjoying their Sundowner Cheese Platter (R65-00) which includes breads and biscuits, butters and cheeses, chutneys, olives and pickles.

I have enjoyed their breakfast and lunch which were reasonably priced and very high in taste.   The menu is not vast and every day the main meal changes.   Monday is Pot Luck, Tuesday they serve a delicious quiche and mixed salad, Wednesdays are Pie chips and gravy days, Thursday Liver and Onions with Mash and Peas and Fridays they serve their special – Steak Strips on crisped croissant with Mushroom Sauce and Salad/Chips.   This is their most expensive meal at R95-00.

A soup of the day and a salad of the day are on offer as well as delicious toasted sandwiches.

For sweet treats there is a host of homemade cakes, scones and muffins.

Howick and Hilton are spoilt for choice as far as coffee shops and restaurants are concerned so it is a real delight to find this little hidden gem with affordable prices, healthy helpings and quirky décor.

To book phone 0795263940

Ms Millaround.

MY WRITING JOURNEY…

I am not afraid of writing.

It is being read that frightens me!

During my 67 years of existence art and writing have been like breathing to me.   Pencils and crayons, paper and ink are the objects most desired.   My first job was as a stationery supervisor at a large newspaper and the smell of the stationery cupboard was my motivation to go to work.

In those days mere women were only offered secretarial jobs, bookkeeping, nursing and teaching if you were lucky!    There was no need for you to go to University as you would soon be married off and then your husband would have to provide for you.

I had studied art and bookkeeping at school and when push came to shove I chose bookkeeping as my profession.   However this did little to satisfy my creative juices. Working at a prominent newspaper in their Accounting department exposed me to another world.   The world of the journalist!   

I penned letters to newspapers.   I wrote articles in local rags.   I studied Freelance Writing courses and dabbled, yet life kept getting in the way.   Husband, children, moving house, the daily grind of putting money together to help feed, clothe and educate!   It wasn’t until I started on my debut novel that I began to really take myself seriously as a writer.

I wrote a thank you letter to a magazine who had published a very practical guide to writing a novel and they in turn featured me in their magazine.   This was real inspiration because if they believed in me then I should do the same.   The pressure was on to finish the novel.

It took me five years to complete it, have it edited and send it to publishers.   It took another year to come to the realization that I had to self-publish it if I wanted it to be out there.   The launch was a heady affair and friends and family were very supportive but while signing the books I realized they were all going to read my work.

Horror upon horror!

What if they did not like it?

What if they thought the whole story line was ridiculous?

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Self-doubt set in.  My confidence disappeared. Then the wait began.

A few weeks passed then the comments came in.

Amazing!   Riveting!  A page turner!

When are you doing another one?

My editor had recommended that I take one of the characters that popped up in the book and write her story as a sequel so another book was already writing itself in my mind but my self-doubt, my lack of confidence and my insecurities kept getting in the way.

I got Writer’s Block.

I tried every other genre to get back into writing.

Poetry, short stories and a Children’s book which I thoroughly enjoyed writing and even illustrated myself.

Yet the pressure is now on to finish that second novel.   Calls are coming in daily.   Oh why did I ever start this process?

I have cleaned the house, put out the washing, fed the man and the dog, checked emails, checked Facebook and played my Scrabble games up to date so no more procrastinating…

Second book here I come.

'ELEMENTS' OF SURPRISE

Recently I was asked to meet a friend for a catch up lunch and as her husband is a doctor at the new Hilton Life Hospital I was not surprised that she suggested we meet at the restaurant at the new Lifestyle Centre next to the hospital.   The restaurant called ELEMENTS.

What did surprise me though was the sophisticated ambience the restaurant had to offer and the unusual menu to boot.

 We were welcomed very graciously and settled at one of the comfortable tables.   Children are obviously catered for as there was a station of small tables and chairs on the one side with drawing paper and crayons provided.  A lounge suite was set around the children’s section so busy mums and dads could relax while their children were occupied.

‘Elements’ has quite a different menu and although not too many choices to boggle the brain enough to satisfy every palate.   The breakfasts sounded yummy and their main meals were all served with a choice of country fries, sweet potato wedges or a side salad.

We both chose the most unusual Falafel and Beetroot wrap@ R53.90

This was an amazing array of tastes.  Homemade Chickpea Falafel croquettes with red cabbage, beetroot relish, hummus, cucumber ribbons, Greek yoghurt and fresh coriander wrapped in a soft tortilla wrap.   I opted for the sweet potato wedges which were very nicely cooked and served in a tiny wire basket.

The same filling was offered on ciabatta, white or wholewheat , farmhouse or health bread and/or served in a salad.

The service was good and the cost was acceptable.   The coffee was delicious and I am led to believe that their muffins and carrot cake are the best in town.   I am off to try that someday.

Ms Millaround.

SOUTH AFRICA IS SUPPOSED TO BE RUN ON GODLY PRINCIPLES

I have been watching the ruling party of South Africa attend as many prayer meetings and funerals as possible in the past few weeks to put their points of view across to the public of South Africa as they can.   It got me to wondering if so many of them are religious why South Africa is not run on Godly principles.   So I did some research.

There are approximately 55 million people in South Africa at this moment in time.   According to statistics 82% of those 55 million belong to some form of religion.

Christians 79.8% of the 82%   (35750641)

Islam          1.5% of the 82%    (654064)

Hindu         1.2% of the 82%    (551668)

Judaism      .2%   of the 82%   (75549)

No Affiliation  17.3% of the 82%

Most religions are built on a moral code of some sort.   As the Christians are in the majority their moral ethic will be based on the 10 commandments.

1.        You will have no other Gods before Me.   Money, materialism, accumulation of things have become gods to people of our country.

2.       You shall not make idols.  Presidents, pop stars, sports stars should never come before your God.

3.       You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.   Swearing using Christ’s name or God’s name is wrong.

4.       Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy.   The Sabbath in Jewish terms is Saturday and when the Christians were banned from celebrating on the Sabbath because of their beliefs they started meeting together the next day which became the day of the Son of God.   No matter what day you turn to God for spiritual upliftment and learning you should put aside a day.

5.       Honour your father and mother.   There is a general lack of respect of all adults from children these days. There is a general lack of respect between adults.     Adults are not setting a very good example to the youth and it is no wonder they do not respect us.   How can children know what is right or wrong when they see adults acting the way they do.   It is up to us to set that straight.

6.       You shall not murder:   It goes without saying that this is wrong.  Executions are wrong.   In my opinion abortions are wrong but that is another story.  South Africa has become one of the top murder countries in the world.   Life is cheap.   There is no respect for life.

7.       You shall not commit adultery:    Marriage is no longer a sanctified state.   It is no longer an honourable thing.   The satisfaction of egos and bodies gives precedent to sacrifice and commitment.  Sleeping with numerous partners apart from having a serious health side effect has a social ripple effect as well.    Having numerous wives may be a cultural tradition but is it Christian?

8.       You shall not steal:     Taking hard earned tax payers’ money and squandering it on enjoyment and enriching your own life is the worst kind of stealing as it comes with a mindset of being entitled to it.   Even taking a pencil or a pen from your employer is stealing!

9.       You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor:   Never pass on gossip or manufacture a story about any person.  These days the media is being used to create huge exposés about various people who stand up against corruption and the government of the day or cross the people in power.   People’s lives and reputations are killed by lies and greed.

10.   You shall not covet:  Envy, lust, greed, gluttony.   It speaks for itself.   You are not entitled to anything you have not worked for or earned in anyway.  

In my opinion if we are being run by God fearing people, no matter what book they read, they are not doing a very good job about it.

I pray that God gives them a change of heart and sees the wrong they are doing sooner rather than later.

Our country is an awesome country and deserves to be run properly for the good of all its’ people not just a few.

A little bit of Italy in Hilton.

Recently there have been a spate of new restaurants and coffee shops opening in Hilton and we are spoilt for choice.

On a whim our daughter decided that we all needed a lunch out and it was to be her treat.   It was a Monday so we did not head for the Midlands as most restaurants are closed on Mondays. We stayed local.   A new pizzeria had caught my eye and although I had not heard anything about it I thought we may try it out.

With baby (and all that goes with it) en tow we set off to the old Jakaranda Centre in the middle of Hilton.   Nestling in the corner right at the back of the parking lot behind Khubeka Trading Store is this dear little restaurant with the most amazing, inviting smells emanating from it.

Di Caprios.

We were met by a mother and daughter team, who were extremely friendly and made us feel most welcome.   A carafe of water with lots of ice and lemon was brought to our table together with the menus.   As it was a scorcher of a day we were most grateful.

The menu covered wood fired pizzas, every pasta imaginable, grills, salads and desserts.   I ordered the Farmhouse Pasta Bake which consisted of Penne coated in a creamy cheddar sauce topped with extra cheddar cheese.   The others both had the Alfredo Pasta with farmhouse ham, mushrooms, cream and heaps of garlic.

Both dishes were fantastic.   Well presented, and very, very tasty.

Di Caprios has a Facebook page where you can peruse the menu in your own time and order your food to be delivered or to be collected if you prefer a take away option.

We certainly will be supporting this little gem in the future.

What a pity......

The Coffeeberry Restaurant at Cascades has been around for many years and has won awards for the best cappuccinos in KZN several years in succession.   Unfortunately my experience of their newly renovated premises last Saturday was not a very pleasant one.

As the power was out in Hilton (again) we decided to give ourselves a treat and go out for breakfast.   My husband had ridden a sixty something kilometre cycle ride early in the morning and we were both rather hungry.   We arrived at the centre at 8.40 am.   The restaurant was not busy so we sat ourselves down at a table close to the front door.   We waited a good five minutes before anyone took notice of us and brought us menus and took our drinks order.   A young girl came by and asked if she could take our breakfast orders which we happily agreed to.    My husband ordered toast with fried eggs covered with melted cheese and tomato relish on the side.   Yum!   I ordered a toasted bacon and banana sandwich on brown bread with chips on the side.   When one has the opportunity why not be decadent!

We waited.

We waited some more.

After we had finished our coffees and a half an hour had passed we enquired from our waitress as to what the problem was.   She proceeded to tell us this long story of the Mini Market people not delivering on Good Friday so they were out of stock of bananas and had sent off to the supermarket for some.

We ordered more coffee!

In the meantime we had seen another couple leave the restaurant and tell the manager (or owner I am not sure) that they had been sitting for about 15 minutes and no one had taken any notice of them.   They went off to the Spur.

There was no shortage of staff as there were quite a few waiters and waitresses milling around.   I think they were all in holiday mode.

Eventually we saw the bananas being brought in by a jovial chap who stopped and had several conversations with people en route.

Needless to say we got our food and to add insult to injury the chips I had been salivating for were old and had been reheated.   Yuk!

We left the restaurant frustrated and disappointed to say the least.

Unfortunately with a recession looming people will be quite discerning as to where they spend their hard earned buck.    What a pity!.