For months, no years, I have been watching the scene unfold from my office, nearly every day. The giant construction site, from the air, seemed like a vein weaving its way through Gauteng. Now every South African and visitor to our beloved South Africa will have the privilege of a 12 minute ride between OR Tambo international and Sandton City centre.

For months I have been dreaming about my first journey on the Gautrain. The golden bullet which travels at an average speed of 160 km/h commenced its operation on Tuesday 08 June 2010, making history as the first high speed urban train on the African continent. Now Johannesburg, Africa’s business hub, takes yet another step towards realising the ideal of  world-class city travel.

Reports of the first day were pouring in and it seemed  it went exceptionally well. A record 11000 commuters reported to have used the service on the first day.

I could no longer resist the temptation of travelling on our proudly South African Gautrain. An sms to my friend, who was in Hong Kong at the time, catalyzed the process. Yes, she is landing early morning and yes she will have breakfast with me in Sandton!

We carefully coordinated our meeting and purchased our tickets without any fuss or complication. The ticketing system is similar to that of the high speed train in Hong Kong and the London underground. The friendly Gautrain staff were visible and eager to advise and assist. Not that it was necessary but I loved the feeling of being a tourist in our lovely country.

As we watched the electronic updates on the trains’ arrival, the minutes couldn’t tick by fast enough as Gerry and I eagerly waited for the Gautrain to pull into OR Tambo station. Then as if it has done it a thousand times before the golden bullet silently sails along its tracks into the station. Seconds later, the cameras are clicking away at the rate that makes the Gautrain look like the celebrity of the century. You could just feel the energy of excitement as journalists, tourists, children accompanied by their parents board the train for the first time.

Fifteen minutes on the beautiful golden bullet and we step into the heart of Sandton. The train station is conveniently located at the Nelson Mandela Square and the Sandton Shopping Centre. In our excitement we hopped onto the Sandton circular bus never realising that we were right where we wanted to be to enjoy our intended breakfast! Of course we needed to familiarise ourselves with Sandton!

As time goes by, the novelty of the Gautrain is sure to wear off but gone are the days of stressful traffic jams or rushing to make your flight ar OR Tambo International. The Gautrain with its seamless, steam less operation is here to serve you!

An interesting and happily rare sight  is the unfinished Foreshore Freeway in Cape Town. To many it is known as the road that leads to nowhere…

The freeway project was conceptualised in the early 1960s – an elevated freeway structure to be built along the Foreshore as part of a ring road structure around the Cape Town CBD. In 1977 the project was halted because there was ‘no justification in terms of traffic demand’ at the time but it has been rumoured that project managers neglected to take into account that the bridge would infringe on the land owned by a shop owner.

The unfinished bridge certainly qualifies as one of the places that make Cape Town interesting and unique and has been the location for many a movie scene, advertisement or photo shoot.

So it is to no surprise that Huyandi had taken advantage of this prime spot and erected a 35m giant Vuvuzela! In the spirit of the World Cup, every time a goal is scored, the unique sound will emanate from it.

It’s up to the teams to score and to us to celebrate and rejoice by blowing our vuvuzelas!

When I reminisced about my childhood a couple of months ago, memories of other exciting adventures came flooding back. What a typical weekend was like – Saturday shopping in the dorp (town) and no, there wasn’t a mall is our town. The divine aromas floating through the neighbourhood on a Sunday morning, the smell of the chicken pot roast or braai boud (roast leg of lamb). People walking past our house kitted in their Sunday best on their way to church.

After a Saturday shopping trip to the dorp with his Mom, my neighbourhood friend Wilfred, came home with a brand spanking new pair of Grasshoppers (which was the greatest pair of shoes). We were all admiration of Wilfred’s new shoes and knew that he would be the star at Sunday school the next day.

As happy as I was for Wilfred, I had other ideas for his shoe box. Wilfred reluctantly agreed that I could have his Grasshopper shoe box after I convinced him that all the neighbourhoods’ kids would have a television show by afternoon tea while our Dads were on the rugby field.

So off I marched home opposite Wilfred’s house with the shoebox under my arm. It wasn’t as hard to convince my brother to join in on my project. We spend most of the afternoon tearing out the pages from old magazines and pasting them together in order to create a movie. The inside of the shoebox we pasted with carefully selected ‘adverts’.

It was a classic affair. A welcoming drink of Kool Aid and redskin peanuts -if my memory serves me correct, I even rolled the peanuts in newspaper, in a cone shape. Once everyone found a comfy place on our back stoep, the movie started.

My brother was brilliant in designing the television. With two holes punched on the opposite sides of the shoebox , to support  the stick with the ‘movie’ stuck to it. While I narrated, my brother ‘rolled’ the movie. Wow! Even though the ‘movie’ didnt last that long, everyone wanted to have a turn in playing the movie and invented their own story while the ‘movie rolled’.

It was a great afternoon and Wilfred was the talk of the town with his new shoes and the hero for letting us have his Grasshopper shoebox.

A few years later, after a stressful day of flight training in Adelaide, Australia, a bunch of us were dreaming of which car we will be driving when we get our first airline job back home. BMW’s, Mercedes and then Jo mentions her dream car…a Morris Minor. Considering that we will be operating heavy, ultra-modern, sophisticated, multi-million dollar aeroplanes, few of us could reconcile with Jo’s dream.

A few days ago, Jo and I packed our bags and ventured on our third road trip for the year. Enroute from Wilderness to Knysna, we abide by the 40km/h speed limit and roll the windows down to inhale the fresh country air with its distinctive smell of a mixture of wild herbs. What a magnificent sight as we witness the dense vegetation in a thousand shades of green.

As we enter Sedgefield, Jo is unable to maintain her excitement as she points out a Morris Minor at what seems to be a vintage car dealership. We make a U-turn towards the dealership. There she is! A bottle green Morris Minor!

Jo, its bottle green! I say. Yes, Fats but it’s a Morris Minor! The Morris is in an immaculate condition. Jo’s eyes are glittering as much as the chrome finishes on the vintage vehicle.  She is in her element! I am having my own joyful experience as I capture my friends’ excitement on camera.

Dudley the salesman, approaches us and fills us in on the vehicle specifications. The Morris was refurbished; engine upgraded to 1000cc and sports its original side indicators (that flips out in the panel between the front and rear doors). Its speedometer is still in miles per hour and capable of speeds up to a modest 120km/hr.

Then, what must be the highlight of Jo’s year…Dudley offers her to drive the bottle green Morris around the block. While Jo is having her once in a lifetime experience, I get to chat to the owner Sheridan Renfield who gives me a tour of the workshop and fills me in on the history of latest vintage vehicle that has been sold and ready to leave the workshop. This man clearly has a passion for vintage vehicles that makes me respect and appreciate every vintage car I see on the road in future.

You might think that Sedgefield is just a town that you will pass through on your way to the east but you never know, you might just find that vintage car you’ve been dreaming of for years at Sedgefield Classic Cars.

We arrive at Montebello Design Centre in the lush leafy green suburb of Newlands. The slight autumn breeze in the air is a promise of winter on its way.  Outside the Gardeners’ Cottage Restaurant, the tables are filled with people enjoying the fresh pine scent in the air and the sun rays filtering their way through the oak leaves. Needless to say, there is no space to sit outside, but the waiter manages to find a nice spot inside close to the door so that we can enjoy the lovely sun and view.

With our tummy clocks ticking, it wasn’t too difficult to select the perfect meal from the menu. We respectively decide on the rather decadently described baked potato and an unusual butternut quiche – both offering the other a taste meal of course.

Suddenly I realise that I can’t remember whether or not I switched the stove plate off at home! The tomato chutney! It must be burnt to a crisp by now! In a flash we organise a takeout and the bill and shoot off to my house 5kms away. Time couldn’t pass too quickly as Gabeba navigates her way through the suburbs towards my home while I try to retrace my actions before I left home. I just can’t recall whether or not I turned that switch to OFF or not!

Relieved to see that there are no signs of red fire trucks fighting fires in my road, we pull up in front of the house. I DID switch the plate off and the tomato chutney was still intact. Scrambled brain!

Before we decide where to have our lunch, Gabeba and I get caught up in a discussion of my latest paintings, before I lead her through the garden – an absolute must for an avid gardener such as Gabeba.  She points out a few interesting facts about some of the plant varieties in the garden. With a few plant cuttings from the garden, the cold quiche and baked potato in the back of the car and regretting our somewhat swift departure from the Gardener’s Cottage, we decide to head back to the Montebello Centre.

Back at the restaurant, we are seated at yet another lovely spot and the manager accommodates us with our rather unusual request. Our meals are heated and presented to us as if it is an everyday occurrence at the restaurant. We continue our spider-webbing over our lovely meal.

After lunch we enjoy a relaxing walk around the Montebello Design Centre, embracing its artistic ambience. The Centre is one of Cape Town’s best kept secrets with over twenty arts and craft studios and workshops, a historic greenhouse and nursery, a forge and the Kwalapa organic deli – where I manage to find an absolutely magnificent selection of wheat-free biscuits and carrot cake to satisfy my sweet tooth. The Kwalapa is hosted in a permanent marqee amongst the the trees, enhancing the natural and organic atmosphere.

The Montebello Design Centre, with its farm buildings amongst the old oak and pine trees, is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy an absolutely great meal, find a range of the freshest organic produce and witness a variety of artists magically creating their intricate jewellery beadworks, beautifully wood carved pieces, wrought ironworks and paintings.

Cape Town home. The most beautiful city in the world. So all it takes is a moment to focus on the crystal clear blue sky, fresh air and beautiful mountain to feel invigorated by the atmosphere. Such an energising moment recently embalmed my being; I packed a few essentials, donned my sunhat and hopped onto the car to hit the winding coastal road with the windows wound down, enjoying the fresh breeze and inhaling the aroma of the salty Indian Ocean.

An hour and a half later, I land up in the most quaint (not so little) town of Hermanus. Ah, I have arrived at the place of summer, sun and sapphire blue waters. This coastal town, with its country-like charm and endless galleries is a popular destination during the whale season but that is not all that Hermanus has to offer.

Walking down the towns’ centre the shopaholic in me is not at all attracted to the usual retail stores. I pop into the bait-and-tackle/ fish-and-chips shop and find a snorkel for half the price in the City and set off oceanward to explore and experience the freedom of the underwater world. The ocean seems a bit rough and I decide to go for an easy afternoon hike along the coastal path.

Upon my return the next day, with the waves still crashing a bit too vigorously to my liking, I discover a secluded tidal pool but have my doubts of seeing anything noteworthy. My word, was I wrong! Did I actually doubt that there will be little to ‘write home about’ in a tidal pool? Teeming schools of fish entertained and dodged me as they shared their world in the coldish water and wait…an octopus!

Back in town, more scenes of nature enthrall as paintings at the numerous galleries. I am inspired by the artistic expressions. From the moment I step into an interior decorating store, I am bedazzled by the selection handcrafted furniture, light fixtures and the most gorgeous chandeliers, a variety of vases and the selection of jewellery. What is even more delightful is sense of French charm which embraces one as one enters the coffee shop in the rear section of the store. Guests are entertained in an open area canopied the green leafy fruit bearing fig trees. Figs are my ultimate favourite fruit! I couldn’t help but giggle as a ripe fig or two dropped while I was enjoying the delicious Madeira cake and Rooibos tea while my eyes wandered over the beautifully decorations on the whitewashed corrugated iron sheet walls. My mention to the waitress about my love for figs didn’t go unnoticed as she presents me with a beautiful plate of them a few moments later. As I take the first bite into the soft, sweet, juicy fig, I say to myself: this is definitely the highlight of my visit…

Everything is within walking distance. The ocean, shops, picnic spots, classy yet affordable restaurants and even my favourite Woollies energy bar to replenish me after my hike. Now, for some ice-cream. Not to worry! Right on the beach road Gelato Mania is to be found. A chirpy colourful ice-cream parlour which almost gives you the urge to start licking the walls even before you tasted the silky smooth ice-cream flavours.

Whether you are an artist seeking inspiration, an executive in need of a mid-week breakaway, a home executive (Mom) who is exhausted running keeping up with everyone’s diary, a camper seeking a camping spot, a bird watcher or tourist seeking to enjoy & experience South Africa or just an ordinary person like me taking the time to enjoy and appreciate our beautiful diverse country, Hermanus is to place to be. Come and unwind, rewind and explore the summer, sun and sapphire blue waters of Hermanus.

Back to Matt. It was just yesterday that I heard about Matt’s arrival in Cape Town. So who the hell is Matt? I hear you ask. Matt Harding! The deadbeat guy who has the greatest fun dancing all over the world! Before you think I’m throwing insults at the poor guy, read more about Matt and his adventures on his website. After reading his blog, you’ll agree that Matt genius and should be crowned as entrepreneur of the century.

Matt is in South Africa to perform the diski at various places in South Africa as part of South African Tourism’s initiative to promote the 2010 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The new clip will show the talented Matt doing the diski at Cape Point, Cape Town International Airport, on the Robben Island Ferry, Soweto, Mpumalanga (dancing with a lion or two) and various other places in our diverse country.

It’s my day off, but  I don my uniform anyway, dressed to impress as I venture onto Cape Town International Airport’s tarmac. I organise photographer – my friend and colleague Jo. Call the office to obtain the flight details. It’s confirmed – Matt and Melissa will be arriving on time.

Unfortunately Jo and I arrive late. Matt and the team are already set up in front of the super sleek South African Airways Airbus 340. He is going through the steps of the diski – the official 2010 FIFA World Cup dance. Melissa seems to have everything under control. She is the cinematographer, choreographer and project manager all rolled into one. Jo clicks away as she tries to capture all Matt’s moves but is momentarily distracted by the rare scene of a Buccaneer from Thunder city taxiing in from a flight. I don’t blame her. Any pilot would take a moment to admire that awesome machine.

Oops! Back to Matt: I bow my head in shame as I witness how Matt, right in Cape Town with the South African flag on the tail of the Airbus performs the diski. Me, a South African, I don’t have the hang of the diski yet. I watch Matt carefully and get into the beat. He practices the dance a few times before the final take and executes flawlessly. Now I know how to diski.

Come on! Do yourself a favour, get into the rhythm and learn to diski.

A special thanks to Goliath (ACSA Safety), Florence (SAA) and David DiGregorio, Manager of Marketing & Communications (USA) of South African Tourism and of cause Matt and Melissa for letting me hang around.

Photographs by Jocindy Mars.

Marriage is said to be the foundation of society. Earlier this week my parents celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary,  having known each other for nearly five decades. I look not too far down our road and make a mental calculation of the cumulative years of marriage of my seven immediate neighbours and come up with surprisingly huge number of 180 years! I thus conclude that we have a rock solid neighbourhood.

In our neighbourhood there are many happenings. Dare I say that we don’t have an alarm system? Our neighbourliness stretch beyond the boundaries of trust and when we left for our annual holiday over the festive season, we just popped in at the neighbours and informed them of our activity. The understanding is that they will keep a ‘watchful eye’ over our property. That goes for every neighbour and we’re glad to reciprocate or lend a helping hand to each other wherever we can.

Need a recipe? Call Mrs K three houses down and she is only too happy to oblige. The fig trees in our garden are bearing their ‘voor vye’  (the figs before the real figs – the English translation won’t do justice). I decided not to let them go to waste this year and called Mrs K for a recipe to glaze the figs. One, two, three…she made it sound so easy! Now I can satisfy my sweet tooth with those yummy glaze figs and bake some fruitcake. I have to add that Mrs K doesn’t have the fortune of perfect sight but one thing is for sure, her croissants come out picture perfect, as does everything else she does.

The lemonade and ginger beer recipes were obtained from the late Mrs M. They are real ‘olden days’ recipes and you can only make them with love, care and patience. The perfect drinks to cool you down on the hot Cape summer afternoons.

Mr P next door, is always helpful and friendly. He loves the blatjang (chutney) my Dad makes and they often chat over the wall and share handyman hints or the happenings in George.

Opposite, Mrs O is known for her green fingers and her garden is filled with a variety of plants, herbs and vegetables. We benefit from the cocktail tomatoes, lettuce and are proud to have strawberries in our garden, thanks to Mrs O. Our neighbourly love extends to ensure that we all have something healthy to eat from our garden. Her daughter, a qualified phytotherapist is always keen to share her tinctures and natural remedies with anyone in the neighbourhood who has ailment. How honoured are we to be healed and taken care of from our own neighbours and their garden.

These are but a few things that we get to enjoy in our neighbourhood. It knits our our neighbourhood, community and ultimately our society together. Aren’t I lucky to live in a rock solid neighbourhood?

Apart from everyone being in a festive mood, I get to transport really precious passengers – the future pilots of our country. This time of the year and especially during school holidays, I have the privilege to have these young guests on board as they either travel with their parents or on their own, as unaccompanied minors to visit relatives in different parts of the country.

After landing, their curiosity overwhelms them as they try to have a peek as to who the pilots are. Some are confident enough to ask the Flight Attendant to have a look at the flight deck or meet the Captain and some of the curious, friendly looking faces are invited by yours truly. My brief tour of our seemingly interesting ‘office’, raise a few interesting questions and requests but by far the biggest treat to their eyes are the lights in the flight deck.

The priceless expression on their faces cannot be captured as they wonder how we know where all the buttons are, their functions, what drives the engines, how we know which way to go when we are in cloud or when its dark, whether the autopilot flies ‘all the time’ or whether it landed the aircraft and sometimes a request if they can have my wings as a souvenir. Every visitor to our ‘office’ is somehow fascinated by its spaceship look and has dreams of becoming a pilot. Sometimes we are treated to the artwork or a letter from our young pilots-to-be. A week ago a thirteen year old requested the Captain’s autograph! How adorable! The Captain obliged with a little note as well, while I continued my tour with him.

At our national airline, we keep the South African flag flying high as we aim to inspire, motivate and dream with our future pilots.

The author's office

Visit http://blog.sa-venues.com for more pix

Talk in town has it that the Dutch, Swiss, Germans, Russians, and well, kite surfers from all over the world love it here in Cape Town. From mid October to mid April they flock to Dolphin Beach in Blaauwberg, (on the international map as one of the world’s premier kite surfing hot spots), Big Bay and Kite beach (Tableview beachfront) to experience the perfect kite surfing conditions – 18 to 20kts of wind and 4-5 foot waves. These hotspots provide a wide spacious beach perfect for rigging, launching and landing kites and an unforgettable picture postcard view of Table Mountain. What more can you ask for?

For more than six months they immerse themselves in the South African culture. Besides the perfect conditions the ideal lifestyle that goes along with it, is an attraction itself. With the best medical facilities that Cape Town has to offer, comparatively cheap accommodation, technical backup such as board repairs and even kite surfing lessons for those who are keen to explore the exciting experience of kite surfing and a variety of cuisine to select from, it is hard to imagine a more perfect spot in the world.

Kite surfing is regarded as an extreme sport – the fastest growing extreme sport. And right here in Cape Town the kite surfing world champions are braving our side of the Atlantic Ocean. So what is stopping us (Capetonians) from going out there and experience it? Nothing! Bare with me for a few seconds as I ask you to close your eyes… imagine, a beautiful day in Cape Town with the Table Mountain in the background, the wind in your hair and the sun on your back as you are surfing the perfect wave. As you accelerate over the wave, in a swift manoeuvre, you become airborne!  An exhilarating feeling!  You are in the air! For a few seconds and just for a few seconds, you have a view like no other and you are as free as a bird. You are in paradise! You find yourself back on the wave for the next rush. You are a kite surfer!

So come and enjoy the sun, sea and surf under the big blue sky in the fairest Cape.

Thank you to my colleague Frans Els a passionate kite surfer and aviator for his input.