Mozambique

Holiday-tion is back from hiatus!

Benguerra Island, Mozambique
We took Pelican Airlines from Nelspruit Airport near Kruger National Park in South Africa to Vilanculos, Mozambique. From there, we were whisked away by Marlin Lodge staff who drove us to the port in Vilanculos. We waded through the water to our motor boat and arrived at Marlin Lodge on Benguerra Island in 40 minutes. Mozambique is an up and coming tourist destination...don't miss it before it becomes mainstream!

Stay/Play

Marlin Lodge is one of 3 resorts on Benguerra Island, part of the Bazaruto Archipelago. It is isolated and exclusive, but lacks the stuffiness you find in some 5-star resorts. Guest have their own villas with direct access to the white-sandy beach. Mouth-watering fresh dishes (including just caught squid in photo below) are served in the main dining room. Enjoy daily excursions to uninhabited islands, deep sea fishing, excellent diving, and snorkeling in what feels like an aquarium. We became friendly with some of the 100 or so villagers that live and work on Benguerra Island. Rob played football twice with the boys and we took a tour of the center of "town."

An eye-opening experience and a fantastic and relaxing end to our honeymoon.

http://www.marlinlodge.co.za/

Safari, South Africa

Tanda Tula, Timbavati National Park

Stay/Play
Tanda Tula is a tented, but luxurious game reserve located in Timbavati National Park, near the well-known Kruger Park. On safari, everything is arranged for you...Warm muffins and coffee delivered to your tent for the morning wake-up. Breakfast is served in the middle of the bush, on a dried-up river bed. Cocktail hour takes places half-way through the afternoon game drive. And dinners are spectacularly prepared in a different venue around camp each night. The animals will genuinely take your breath away.

Ask Harry, our friend the bartender, for the hot chocolate & Amarula (S Africa's take on Baileys) combo after your evening game drive.

A Safari Holiday-tion is one of the most spectacular activities of a life-time, and it suits all ages (except young children!).

http://www.tandatula.co.za/

Holiday-tion lit pick

• Chasing Harry Winston - Lauren Weisberger

Holiday-tion beauty tip

• Kikoy wraps. If you stay at Tanda Tula you'll find kikoys in your tent to borrow while lounging by the pool or on the veranda. I ended up buying 2 from the boutique. They are hip, yet authentically African, and you can use them as sarongs, beach towels, and apparently tablecloths (haven't tried it). http://www.kikoy.com/

Holiday-tion charity note: Harry and his brother, Smilling, have started the Kunavelala Community Project to raise money to give young boys the opportunity to play soccer in a safe environment. The project is only 1-year old but the dream of revitalizing their rural village is slowly taking form. Harry is now working on a vegetable garden that will assist the local community by providing food resources and social support. If you're interested in getting involved, please contact me and I can send you information on the project.


Up next: Benguerra Island, Mozambique

Hermanus, South Africa

In August 08, after a fun-filled 5-day wedding fete in Cleveland, Ohio, Rob and I embarked upon a Holiday-tion of a lifetime: a honeymoon in South Africa and Mozambique. Here is the first of 3 posts on my highlights of the trip:

Hermanus, South Africa

Stay/Play

Hermanus is a whale-watching village about a 2-hour drive from Cape Town. We stayed in the cozy, yet stunning Schulphoeck Guest House. The honeymoon suite has sweeping views of the ocean and a huge jacuzzi. The ideal place to rest up after 2 overnight flights.

http://www.schulphoek.co.za/the_house.html

Eat/Drink

Heaven and B's Steakhouse. 2 of the best meals of my life. We lunched at Heaven after a wine tour of Newton Johnson and surrounding vineyards. When we found out B's Steakhouse was owned by the same couple as Heaven, we knew we had to try it. B's is a graffiti-scrawled barn that serves heavenly steaks and a damn good bloomin' onion. DO NOT MISS IT!

Heaven

http://www.newtonjohnson.com/

B's Steakhouse (no website)

No. 5 Hemel -en-Aarde Village, Hermanus, 7200
South Africa

+27 28 316 3625

Eat/Drink/Stay/Play

Marine Hotel - an elegant colonial hotel which overlooks Walker Bay and its various hues of blue - one of the most beautiful panoramas in the southern hemisphere. We randomly stopped here for drinks, but I would also recommend staying here if you can afford it. Brad Pitt stayed here a few years ago when he went great white shark diving; his photo is on the walls near the ladies room.

http://www.relaischateaux.com/en/search-book/hotel-restaurant/hermanus/

Up next: Safari, Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa