Put this on our bucket list! I insist..

Ephesus, Göreme and Gallipoli

Put these on your bucket list! I insist…

Well Ephesus and Göreme for sure, Gallipoli only if you have a keen interest in World War I or are Australian.

Göreme would be without a doubt my favourite out of the three. The day before I left for Turkey, my friend Sharlene Versfeld demanded I stop here, and reluctantly I did. And for that I am eternally grateful!

The landscape is fascinating. The entire area has a mystical hobbit feel to it. You walk around the town or shire half expecting to set eyes on Gandalf or Bilbo. The Nevşehir Province is made up of these dainty cone shaped mountains that all look like fairy chimneys.

The reason for my most recent trip to Turkey was for the FIBA Basketball World Championship for Women. The games were being played in the capital Ankara, a gateway into Cappadocia.  Being based in a big city for six days, I was delighted to discover the tournament followed theatre etiquette and had no games on the Monday night.

I took this opportunity to escape. First thing on Monday morning a hasty yellow cab spat me out at the enormous bus terminal or the AŞTİ in Ankara. I cruised the counters looking for Süha Turizm, a bus company that would take me to the small town, Göreme, a five hour bus ride away.

Göreme is a historic region and is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first chronicled inhabitants of the area were Christians during the Roman period and they lived in square carved-out caves usually impressively high up in the cone shaped mountains. Inspired by this knowledge, I opted to dwell in a cave for my one night there, it was simply called the Traveller’s Cave Hotel and for 55Euro B&B, was an affordable experience. Bekir, the hotel owner also kindly shuttled you up the steep hill from the bus stop. From the reception to my room I ambled down 91 steps to my room.

This magical town is easy to navigate, with two main roads bisecting each other. After checking in, I deposited my bags and went walk about. Following the route the shuttle had taken me, I strolled down to the main part of town. Turning left into the next main road, I headed out of town towards the hills to Pigeon Valley. After a decent hike and a bit of rock climbing I literally had a bird’s eye view overlooking all of Göreme.

On my way back I stopped for an early dinner at a spot called One Way. I was eager to try the meal Cappadocia was renowned for, a dish simply called pottery kebab. It came in an enclosed clay pot which the waiter broke open with a small hammer. It was served with rice and a simple garden salad. Delicious!

As night settled in, the peaceful experience of the sun setting was interrupted by keen photographer’s flashes going off. But once the sun had set, the fairy chimneys became more mystical bathed in yellow lights. Some from large spot lights illuminating the hills and others from the huddles of abodes cut into the rocks.

Sunrise greeted early risers, most of them taking the opportunity to float above the chimneys in hot air balloons. The sandstone colour scheme had patches of brightly coloured balloons hovering above them. The experience cost 120Euros through Bekir. Other adventures on offer were quad biking, horse riding, cycling and hiking.

At breakfast, the Turkish lady on duty insisted I have a traditional start to my day. It consisted of a waffle-like pancake with a local version of Nutella. The usual Turkish breakfast options were also available of cheeses and breads.

My highlight in Göreme was cave crashing. I spent several hours walking in the opposite direction to where I had been the previous afternoon, following signs for the Rock Churches. After spending ages in the El Nazar Kilisesi keenly looking at the beautiful cave paintings, I roamed the surrounding area discovering more caves with humble paintings that were just left open to the elements. The former tenants had chipped away steps to their front doors, so with a bit of clambering, you could get in. Each cave had a different feel to it, some with crumbling pillars others with real pigeon holes, small little rooms sprouting off the main living area. All of these had their own simple paintings on the walls, nothing as detailed as the churches, but enchanting none the less.

Next stop, Ephesus. This ancient place is remarkable, picturesque and majestically beautiful, an ancient Greek city that started taking shape in the 10century BC, and then ‘modernised’ by the Romans around 130BC. It is near the coast of Ionia on the Asian side of Turkey, a stone throw away from Greece and its capital Athens.

Like Göreme, my trip to Ephesus was brief. The ruins of Ephesus are a hot favourite tourist attraction and contain the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. Researching Ephesus, words such as flourished, attacked, conquered, destroyed, raided and damaged all jump out at you and standing in amongst the ruins it is hard to imagine all the blood that has spilt in this wonderful area.

Listening to the various tour guides directing large groups of people, they explained that only a fraction of the ruins have been excavated and there is still so much more preserved under the surrounding hills. The entire area is hugely attractive in its history but moments that stood out for me would have to be visiting the original public toilets, the massive and impressive amphitheatre that up until recently hosted live performances, big names like Sting, Pavarotti, Elton John and Ray Charles have graced the stage. The old harbour road and the road leading to the library that is rumoured to have housed all the best retail shops.

An outline of a foot carved into the marble promenade outside the brothels indicating if the customer was man enough to spend time with the ladies. If your foot was smaller than that etched out yard stick, unlucky! The library of Celsus standing in all its glory was fabulous to see. Standing in front of its massive facade I stood in awe admiring the architecture, the details just exquisite. The library used to house 12,000 scrolls and now is home to Celsus who is buried in a sarcophagus beneath the library.

If you have time, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis are well worth a visit. Both are a short drive away from Ephesus. The House of Virgin Mary has a steady flow of pilgrims passing through it. The shrine itself is not extensively large, but can be best described as a modest chapel. Outside the shrine is the Wishing Wall where pilgrims leave behind their personal intentions on paper or fabric and tie it onto this wall. 

Nowadays, The Temple of Artemis has just a few marble pillars standing lonely in a field on the outskirts of Ephesus. With a bit of imagination you can picture what it must have looked like in its heyday. Most of the temple is on display in British Museums, the site was pillaged in the 60s and the temple was transported by rail to England. 

Finally Gallipoli, directly translated means beautiful city. I accidentally spent a day touring around here in winter. The seaside city was the venue to the great Battle of Gallipoli in World War 1 that lasted 8 months.  The battle is regarded as a defining moment in the nation’s history, the struggle forming the bases for the Turkish War of Independence.

Spotted around are various memorials and burial grounds that are immaculately maintained. Walking around, you find yourself looking up to a massive ANZAC memorial and then further along, standing in actual trenches. 100,000 lives were lost on this peninsula. Littered in the strait there is supposedly 216 French, British and Italian vessels that were sunk and now are fabulous to explore, even for inexperienced divers.

If you find yourself in these parts, be sure to make a detour. It is an affordable trip down a variety of historic lanes.

·         Travelling by bus to Göreme, make sure your bus ticket clearly states the destination as they often deposit you in Nevşehir, a rather costly alternative route that is half an hour away.

·         If you book directly through the website for the Traveller’s Cave Hotel you get 10% discount.

·         Göreme isn’t the most friendly place for wheel chair visitors.

·         Pegasus Airlines flies just outside of Ephesus from Istanbul, and booking in advance you can pick up really good deals.

Kamil Kaya from Hotel Sultan’s Inn in Istanbul can organise tours to both Ephesus and Gallipoli

Ankara - the anchor of Turkey

Surfing the Turkish Tourism website, they proudly inform you that Turkey is home of The Blue Mosque, home of the colour Turquoise, home of the historic site Cappadocia, home of Troy, home of the Silk Road, home of the Golden Horn and home of ancient Gods. But there is no flash pitch about the capital, Ankara!

Ankara is clean, hilly and expansive. The word Ankara means anchor, a rather fitting name if ever there was for a capital.

I was based in Ankara for six days for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Championship; I was there to support the French team. The venue in the capital was the Architectural award winning Ankara Arena which hosts a variety of events; the first event that was held in it after it was built in 2010 was the FIBA World Championship, so no stranger to major basketball events. 16 countries were there to compete for the cup with the games being played both in Istanbul and Ankara. Ankara was host to Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Japan, Mozambique, Spain, and host team Turkey.

I have been to and participated in big sporting events in South Africa including being at the World Cup Soccer at the iconic Moses Mabhida, but all of those matches pale into significance witnessing my first international basketball game, the entire experience was tingling. The last game on the opening day was a cracker between Olympic Silver Medallists’ France and the home team. Fans in their droves swarmed the stadium.

It took a while to collect my tickets and find the correct entrance. By the time I had presented my ticket to the FIBA usher, I had walked through a metal detector, had my bag searched by police then frisked by another police officer, before the final police check confirming the legitimacy of my ticket. Finally offering it to an usher who warmly welcomed me.

Having purchased my tickets online months prior, I by some stroke of luck had landed myself in the VIP area. The online booking system had an early bird ticket sale, so I paid for one ticket and got the remainder of the tournament basically for free. It also so happened that all the travelling French fans were seated in the VIP area.

The atmosphere in the venue was electric. Turkish flags floated aloft as the bearer’s sang a catchy tune that obviously was the anthem for the Turkish team. An enclosed space with well over 20,000 people all chanting, singing and cheering was passionate. Needless to say France went down but only by two points.

The remainder of the tournament, the Les Bleus sadly lacked the spark they had in London finishing second in their group, spiralling out in the quarters in Istanbul with a defeat against ace team USA. Then they lost to Canada in the class 5 – 8 games, after beating them in the group games. In the final game of France’s tournament they did manage to get some respect back with a win over Serbia and finishing in seventh.

The Les Bleus fans welcomed me into their small clan of 20 or so. Each game I had my face painted as an honorary frog. I was so proud of neighbours Mozambique, how they held their own on the court.

As far as sightseeing goes, Ankara is a massive, vibrant, cultural city but only really offers a handful of tourist attractions. Stumbling upon the Tourist Information Centre at the main train station across the way from the arena, the fabulously helpful tourism officer presented an impressive colour brochure, in English, of all the sights and stops in Ankara. All could be done on a walking tour over two days.

I found the public transport system difficult to figure out and eventually gave up. From the hotel where I was staying, the arena was a 20minute or 30TYL ride away and the yellow cabs were an attraction in itself. I am sure that the drivers were awarded for the most number of fares they could take on a day, not how scenic a route they took you on. Every ride felt like a race between A and B and on arrival your hasty exit was appreciated. It was a cheap and fast way to get around.

My first day out exploring, I got deposited at my landmark of the arena and wandered along the wide main road towards the Opera House, the Ethnography Museum and the State Art and Sculpture Museum. The Opera House was all closed up and seemed to be out of season. Across the road was a glee-filled Fun Fair snuggled up right against the main road threatening to toss out unsuspecting riders from the brightly coloured rides. Further up the road I came across the grand State Art and Sculpture Museum with the Ethnography Museum alongside. In the garden proudly sat a number of statues of famous Turk artists and sculptors as well as what looked like fragments of Roman ruins that were being slowly restored, were littered around the garden and had become a playground for the local feral cats.

With time on my side I opted to go off the beaten track, I turned off the main road and made my way deep into Ulus, the historic centre containing a number of museums, early republican buildings and the ancient Ankara Castle. Ulus is millennia old and I enjoyed getting lost taking small cobbled lanes, discovering roads and roads of shops spilling out onto the road. The gradients of the roads were quite a hike but the locals had no difficulty trekking up, usually lugging a hefty load.

On the only blue skied day I had, I ventured to the Antikabir. Translated to English it means a memorial tomb and is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey. The site where the Antikabir was built is the most central in Ankara and can be seen from almost all areas in the city.

The ceremonial courtyard was alive with countless of wiggly worms with hundreds of pre-schoolers out on a day-excursion learning about the history of their country. With each group they had an assigned guide donning a dark tailored suit hugging their ripped frames, they more resembled bodyguards but each and every one of those big burly blokes appeared to be gentle giants. As I was about to depart, I got to see the pomp and ceremony of the Changing of the Guards.

A short yellow cab drive away, I visited the Kocatepe Mosque. It gets a mention in all research you do when you Google Ankara. I spent some quiet time walking around the exterior as the mosque was closed to visitors. It took close on 20 years to build and is the largest mosque in the capital. From there I jumped in another zippy cab and landed up at the Ankara Castle.

The outer citadel follows the ledges of the hill but inside the castle walls you find the real old Ankara with a number of locals quietly getting on with daily chores. Beyond the tourist track, the houses were all old, crumbling, unloved and dilapidated.  The views from up on top of the castle walls are exquisite overlooking all of Ankara. I parted with 12TYL for a freshly squeezed Pomegranate juice, the most expensive food and drink I had spent but the name of the café was the only reason I stopped. It was one word, And.

Would I recommend a visit, about as enthusiastically as I would encourage someone spending their hard earned holiday going to Johannesburg, but for a two day visit as you head to Cappadocia – perfect! 

Istanbul, kiwi tea, frescoes and earthcakes

I looked Medusa in the eye and miraculously didn’t turn to stone!

When I think of Istanbul, I think of a few things. My first thought would be sipping kiwi tea at my favourite restaurant overlooking the Blue Mosque. The second is the icons and frescoes. And the third is the word Earthcakes.

Over 14 million people live in Istanbul. It is huge! But don’t let the size of the city scare you, it is vibrant, fabulous and easy to navigate and get around!

Istanbul is unique in that it is the only natural occurring transcontinental city; it traverses over Europe and Asia. As the hub of Turkish tourism, most travellers move through this bustling metropolis.  Istanbul is a must see before venturing off to the coast or further inland.

There are loads of inns, hotels, B&B’s and hostels to rest your wary head but I tend to always stay at the quaint Hotel Sultan’s Inn, a stone throw away from The Blue Mosque in the Old City which is in Europe. Being a solo traveller by choice, I have met the most wonderful people staying at this hotel. 

The Old City is the focus for most of the A-list sights and usually it is the first stop on the sight-seeing itinerary. Take your time when visiting The Blue Mosque, the intricate detail to the building is breath-taking. From the minarets on the perimeter of the Blue Mosque; to the Mihrab, a classical niche indicating the direction of the kaaba in Mecca; the domes and the prayer hall with the magnificent low hanging lightening illuminating the interior.

The Aya Sofya or the Hagia Sophia on the opposite side to The Blue Mosque on the Sultanahmet Square has a fascinating history and nowadays serves as a museum. At every turn the icons and frescoes mosaicked and painted on walls and ceiling are worth every cent you pay to get in. It is a Roman masterpiece built in the sixth century as a church but then became a mosque when the Ottoman Empire conquered the city in the 15^th century but the glistening icons remain mostly intact to this day.

On the other side of the Aya Sofya is the Basilica Cistern, a cathedral-sized underground cistern also dating back to the sixth century. Once forgotten, the cistern was accidently rediscovered by a Frenchman who was researching the Byzantine antiques in the 16^th century.  Inside the temperature is quite chilly, colourful koi swim tranquilly in the water and you are invited to feed them. You wind along wooden boardwalks that weave in-between forest of Roman marble pillars with lights shining up from their bases. The walkway winds to a cul-de-sac where two impressive statues of Medusa lie in wait. According to the myth, if you look into the eyes of Medusa, you will turn to stone.

In the same area, another must-stop is the Topkapi Palace. The lavish Ottoman lifestyle that covers over four centuries is displayed here and well worth the entrance fee. The view overlooking the Bosphorus from the grounds is also impressive. For an afternoon stroll, the Gülhane Park which used to be the hunting grounds of the Topkapi Palace is fantastic to amble through. The immaculate botanical garden also takes you down towards the Bosphorus and the Galata Bridge that spans the Golden Horn.

Taking time out from sightseeing, I love to people watch and there are a number of places you can spend ages watching people while enjoying some street food. The Hippodrome alongside The Blue Mosque has plenty of park benches where you can sit and enjoy a freshly baked Simit, Istanbul’s delicious answer to the American bagel or some recently roasted Chestnuts. Around the Galata Bridge and The New Valide Mosque you can pick up a Doner Kebab for 5TYL then after that enjoy shopping in the Spice Bazaar.

Istanbul is renowned for its shopping districts and markets. If you are in ‘the market’ to purchase a carpet, spices, clothes or a leather jacket then look no further. The Grand Bazaar attracts close on 400 thousand people annually and is great to explore. Just be aware that quite a few pick-pockets roam in these parts as well. The shopping district of Taksim, a short taxi, tram or bus ride away is also great to pick up deals.

Evenings for me are usually spent relishing a sweet cup of kiwi tea at the splendid Doy Doy that overlooks The Blue Mosque or watching my favourite basketball team participate in the FIBA EuroLeague, Tango Bourges from France playing the local Turkish teams, Fenerbache and Galasaray.  Between games, the nightlife in the Old City is grand.

The Doy Doy features on the wiki travel suggested places to eat and recommended by Hotel Sultans Inn. Their service and food fills you up, and the charm and location certainly makes it spectacular. They offer a number of different style of kebabs and in the last two years have also expanded their vegetarian menu extensively. My favourite off their menu is the kiwi tea, in all of my travels through Istanbul a highlight for me is stopping at the family owned spot and sipping my green juice as night descends on The Blue Mosque.

A wonderful cultural event is appreciating the Whirling Dervishes or Mevlevi Order, a mesmerising spiritual dance that is centuries old. The male dancers descend into a trance as they gently whirl around to traditional music performed quietly in the background. If you are lucky you may stumble upon a few free Whirling Dervish shows in a couple of the open air restaurants or Hookah Lounges. The night air in Sultanahmet becomes hugely aromatic as the stars come out; patrons participate in an unhurried and sociable Turkish tradition of a Shisha, the smoking of a waterpipe or Hookah.

An absolute must is a cruise along the Bosphorus. Overhearing two gorgeous Aussie chefs when I was in Gallipoli, they keenly stated that there are three places in the world that if you find yourself, you have to go on the water. The first was the mighty Hudson River in New York City, the second suggested by these two Aussie blokes - a romantic cruise around Venice. The third was on the Bosphorus. There are loads of cruise options around the Galata Bridge area; a cheaper option - you can even catch a ferry across the way if you so desire. 

If you have time, then visit the Chora Church, the chapel outside the city walls. It is quite a lengthy walk from Sultanahmet but you get to pass the Valens Aqueduct, the Roman aqueduct that still stands and pass more bridal dress shops than at a Bridal Fair. The church was destroyed during the Latin invasion but lovingly restored over the next few centuries. Following a similar tale as the Aya Sofya, the church was converted into a mosque then later into a museum. The picturesque frescoes date back to the 14th century.

A walking tour that is either free or consider a guided tour, but a beautiful exploration around the Old City walls is worth putting a couple of hours aside for. I went on a City Walls tour and the young guide had a colourful explanation about most things. He was extremely passionate about Turkish tiles. He made reference a few times to the recent disaster in 1999 that flattened buildings, leaving half a million homeless and killed close on 50,000 people, dear Mohammed kept referring to the natural disaster as an earthcake. The endearing term stuck and tickled me pink.

After you have walked the length and breadth of the Old City and the walls, why not treat yourself to an age old ritual of a Hamam or a Turkish Bath? I visited the Çağaloğlu Hamamı Hamamı, a three century old Hamam. I wasn’t brave enough for the full treatment by a Turkish lady but slowly spent time relaxing in all of the steam rooms.

For South African’s Istanbul is a completely affordable destination and also a cheap gateway into Europe. There is something magical about the city that keeps a number of travellers returning, including myself. Will I return, most definitely!

·         For people visiting places of worship, be respectful in these magnificent sacred spaces. Ladies please remember to pack a scarf that can double up as a head scarf. Keep quiet and be aware of prayer times.

·         The Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofya and Bascilica Cistern have an entrance fee. I would suggest doing this first thing in the morning when they open up as the queues during the ‘in-season’ can be quite long.

·         Public transport is completely affordable. Taxis are inexpensive and hailing a cab is easy. Getting across the country also has a number of options, including the low flight airline Pegasus. Take into account that most of their flights leave from the Asian side, so factor in the cost of getting to the airport.

·         Most hotels offer airport transfers. For the extra 25 Euros (Atatürk) /50 Euros (Sabiha Gokcen) one way ride per trip, it is well worth it. Most airport transfers are chauffeur driven mini-buses direct to your hotel’s doorstep.

Chatting to Pro Golfer Nicole Garcia ahead of the Cell C SA Women's Open

Towards the latter part of last year, Nicole Garcia went to Tour school armed with the dream of becoming a professional golfer and she left the venue with a 9b category under her belt. The rookie golfer from the East Rand in Gauteng is now one of 11 members and one of two rookies from South Africa this season, who shows maturity well beyond her years. Grounded, passionate, determined and loving the life she lives, Garcia has had a challenging 2014 but is hoping to turn around her fortunes at the Cell C SA Women’s Open set to take place at the San Lameer Country Club from 16 to 19 October. “I can’t wait to play at home, especially because my parents will get to see me playing some good golf. I’m cautious against saying I’m expecting to win the tournament but I definitely know that I have the potential to do so.” Inspired by Justin Rose whom she believes epitomises the “never give up attitude”, Garcia took time out from her hectic schedule to share some of her experiences and her thoughts on the influence role models have on our lives...

Q: While growing up, who was your role model (non-golfer)?

A: I was obsessed with cartoons when I was growing up and all I ever thought about doing was working at Walt Disney Productions so I guess you could say my role model was Walt Disney himself.

Q: What are the qualities/traits/criteria your role model must have that are important to you?

A: For me, a role model must show absolute dedication to their sport or career; they must remember where they came from, as in be modest or humble irrespective of how successful they become. That’s really important to me because I’d like to know that I’d be able to connect to them on a normal level if I ever had the opportunity to meet him or her.

Q: Whose story inspires you to persevere when the chips are down?

A: I was told that Justin Rose had missed 19 cuts in a row so every time I miss a cut or don’t perform as well as I’d like to, I just remind myself of how successful Justin is today and it keeps me going. But, I honestly don’t know if that story is true or not.

Q: Your favourite female golfers, local or international, are...

A: I’ve had the opportunity to get to know the ladies really well both on and off the course and I have to admit that my favourites are not necessarily those who perform the best but are actually the ones with the best attitude on the course, who genuinely love what they are doing. But, if I had to pick one female who has really impressed me it would be Michelle Wie. I watched her play while I was competing at the US Women’s Open and I absolutely love the way she hits a ball.

Q: Your favourite male golfers, local or international are...

A: Trevor Fisher Junior who competes on the Sunshine Tour – he is an amazing person on and off the course and has so much talent.

Q: You had the opportunity to meet, play with and learn from Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel...tell us about that experience and the impact it had on your game?

A: That was such an unforgettable experience! Ernie Els was also there and I asked each of them so many questions and I learnt so much while I followed them for all their practice rounds in the US Open at Pinehurst. They taught me so much in terms of strategizing mentally and about routine on the course, which has changed the way I approach my game. I don’t think I could have picked a better three-ball to learn from.

Q: Were they what you expected in terms of friendliness, helpful, willing to teach, approachable, etc.?

A: They were very friendly which was so refreshing. In fact when I arrived I didn’t want to stand too close just in case they felt I was imposing on their space but Ernie Els greeted me straight away which caught me completely off guard – when he waved in my direction, I looked behind me thinking he had seen someone he knew but lo and behold, he was waving at me! And, Louis gave us the ‘inside the ropes’ bands, which was really nice of him.

Q: A role model is any person who serves as an example and whose behaviour is often emulated by others. How devastating do you think it is for fans/young aspiring sports stars when their role models fall from grace (Eg. Tiger Woods; Lance Armstrong; Pistorius, etc.)?

A: The ‘relationship’ between an athlete or a sportsperson and fans has been a very personal one, even though the fans never actually get to meet their role models. There is an expectation and a certain standard that athletes and sports stars are expected to adhere to which is why it is extremely disappointing for their fans when these people go against the norm or expected standard of behaviour.

Q: Do you think professional athletes should be made role models and held to a higher standard or should they be regarded as ordinary people?

A: I honestly believe that the achievements of a professional athlete should be admired and never forgotten but that does not necessarily mean that that athlete is a better person because of his or her achievements. Putting them up on a pedestal based on achievements alone can lead to disappointment as we have seen over the years.

Q: Fast-forward your life and career a decade from now after you’ve clinched tournament victories and have been a regular competitor on the LET, how would you, Nicole Garcia, like to be viewed by young, aspiring female golfers?

A: I’d love to be seen as someone who has never given up, someone who gave it her all and put her heart into each and every tournament. I would like to inspire young golfers the way Justin Rose inspires me to keep going and to never give up.

Elf's Adventures in black and white... and colour

Every day I wake up and realise how lucky I am to have lived the life I have. Continuing the theme of being blessed, these are a few of the articles I have that have been published... 

Walking the Camino in Spain...

Previously posted on my blog: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=999579515828153404#editor/target=post;postID=3042124779310839865;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=110;src=postname

A couple of days hanging out on Bazaruto Island...

Previously posted on my blog: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=999579515828153404#editor/target=post;postID=4552161581911188102;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=43;src=postname

A Meander In Memphis

Previously posted on my blog: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=999579515828153404#editor/target=post;postID=6687092960123801326;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=18;src=postname

Wandering around 'The Capitol'... 

Previously posted on my blog: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=999579515828153404#editor/target=post;postID=7468336055441847551;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=14;src=postname 

Previous posted on my blog: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=999579515828153404#editor/target=post;postID=1558472504709916543;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=5;src=postname 

Chatting to Pro Golfer Lee-Anne Pace ahead of Cell C SA Women's SA Open

10 Things you didn’t know about LEE-ANNE PACE

What was the longest time you’ve ever slept for?

Approximately 12 hours but it could possibly have been 15 hours because I think there might have been a break in-between.

Facebook, Instagram or Twitter?

Twitter

My greatest challenge is/was...

Leaving my loved ones for a long period of time every year.

My lucky number is...

Actually I have four...1; 7; 11 and 15 but if pressed to choose just one, I’d probably choose the number 15!

Do you sing in the shower?

I do, but that really depends on what the proper definition of singing is because my singing sounds like cats fighting.

My favourite invention is...

I have a long list which includes in no particular order: wireless internet; anything Apple; dishwashers; Nespresso coffee machines; memory foam beds and Bose noise-cancelling headphones.

What did you want to be when you were a child/teenager?

A paediatrician.

What do you listen to while on Tour?

A variety of music except for Rap and R&B and I really like Ed Sheeran.

I like watching (horrors/comedies/dramas/thrillers)...

TV Shows with my favourites being Scandal (The Fixer); Banshee; The Black List; Game of Thrones; Revenge; Sons of Anarchy; Suits and True Blood.

What’s your kryptonite?

Spiders! Seriously, I just can’t handle the sight of them and tend to make a less-than-graceful exit when they’re around.

3 Minutes with LEE-ANNE PACE

Do you have any pre-tournament rituals?

I wouldn’t call it a ritual actually but now that I think about it, I do tend to follow a routine on matchday, which is coffee in the morning; make sure I go to the loo just before tee-off and put on sunblock.

What can’t you live without?

It is an endless list and I’m not kidding – the things I can’t do without include my iPhone; coffee; red wine; lamb chops; my memory foam pillow; wireless internet; hot baths; Bose headphones; music; laughter; my family; my friends...I could go on!

Your favourite football team?

Honestly, I really dislike football, but I do enjoy watching rugby – the Stormers and Springboks in particular.

What is your greatest fear?

Apart from spiders it would probably be worrying about someone I love getting hurt.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

It might sound a bit boring but I tend to catch up on bookings, emails and phonecalls; I try to watch my favourite TV shows; spend time with family and friends and some outdoor activities such as paddle boarding or social golf.

Who/What inspires you?

Amazing athletes such as Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Rory McIlroy as well as true stories about people who have faced difficult circumstances and overcome those. I am a huge fan of true story movies.

If you were to host a dinner party for any five people in the world (celebrities, politicians, sports stars, philanthropists, etc. living or dead), who would you choose?

My best friend, my sister, brother-in-law , who is basically brother and Ed Sheeran, for the entertainment.

Favourite course in the world?

Pearl Valley but St Andrews is right up there too!

Cats or dogs?

Dogs

What/who makes you smile?

I have so many and this is in no particular order: my friends; my family; chocolate; red wine; lamb chops; stand-up paddle boarding; the ocean; kids; my bed; the view from my bedroom; a birdie; an eagle; the smell of my cappuccino in the morning; waking up at 5am and knowing that I can sleep a bit more!

 LOVE FOR THE GAME:

Lee-Anne Pace is a household name in South Africa and renowned globally as one of the leading faces in women’s golf. With just under a decade under her belt as a professional golfer, Pace is as much in love with the sport as the day she first started playing. Ironically, Lee-Anne’s introduction to the sport was as a caddy for her father and not as a golfer.

“I used to caddy for him to earn extra money during weekends but I suppose you could say me actually playing golf was by default. While at the course I would hit some balls with the boys at the venue and we would also have putting competitions.”

During her high school years, Lee-Anne played tennis but excelled at hockey, a sport she loved playing but one she couldn’t envisage a professional future in.

“I really loved playing hockey and was very passionate about it but I didn’t think it was the sport for me to have a career in.”

A few years later during her final year of studying Psychology at Tulsa University, Oklahoma (USA), she decided to give golf a go.

“Prior to that moment, I hadn’t really thought about becoming a professional golfer. Then I decided to give it a try, I qualified for the Tour and that was that. I became very passionate about my golf career and as soon as I won my first tournament, I knew that I really wanted to do it again, to experience that feeling of triumph and exhilaration again and again. Golf is a challenging sport and you have to learn early on how to control your emotions, deal with and make those big decisions in a short amount of time, but nothing beats the feeling you experience when you win.”

With a bright glow in her eyes, Lee-Anne speaks passionately about her love for golf.

“I love the challenges of golf, the excitement of winning, the pleasure you get from hitting a shot that sometimes seems impossible to pull off or hitting a shot at a crucial time that exceeds even your own expectations. And, I absolutely love winning.”

Inspired by South African golfing legends Gary Player, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, she says the sport itself serves as a great inspiration that constantly tests a professional golfer.

“There are so many aspects to work on personally if you are to succeed in the professional circuit – you have to be strong physically, mentally and emotionally and that in itself is a constant challenge. It’s an amazing feeling when you exceed your own expectations, when you achieve your goals and targets and golf is one of those sports that gives you the opportunity to constantly experience those joys.”

Lee-Anne cherishes every single moment of her life as a professional golfer but admits it was a tricky road to negotiate.

“I am grateful and truly blessed to be a professional golfer – I have made many friends over the years and met very interesting people during my travels and I have been to some of the most amazing places on earth. But, early on in my career it was daunting to travel alone to foreign countries, not knowing the language or the areas I was travelling to and also trying to find my place on Tour. That changed when I bagged a few wins because I gained much needed confidence and was able to settle in.”

Now living at the Pearl Valley Golf and Country Estate, Pace shared her recipe for success on Tour.

“I was motivated to work harder and win after I started winning. I worked very hard on my swing, watched the top golfers and tried to replicate what they were doing and I worked on my mental strategy. I tell myself before every tournament that I am going to play each shot to the best of my ability and that puts me in a good frame of mind from the first to the last hole.”

Successful, talented, famous and yet Lee-Anne Pace has managed to stay grounded and is in fact a very humble woman, who sincerely wishes to show young aspiring golfers that they can achieve their dreams and goals through hard work and dedication.

“I don’t see myself as a role model because I’m just me, doing what I love. I still get shy when asked for autographs but it makes me very happy to know that I might have played a part in helping to grow women’s golf in South Africa. I believe that with the start of the Ladies Sunshine Tour and co-sanctioned events such as the Cell C SA Women’s Open, we will see many more girls taking up the sport. I can’t wait to see the next group of South African golfers coming through the ranks.”

Love, passion, dedication and hard work are vital components to becoming a successful golfer, traits often tested when results are not going your way.

“The one important thing I’ve learnt during the course of my career is that it can all turn around at any point. When the chips are down, I recall a tournament in China when I was a few over par on the cut line with five holes left to play in the day. I went on to finish the day really well and left the venue having won the tournament in a playoff. In golf, as in life, anything can happen, you just have to be mentally strong and know what you want out of that particular situation.”

Lee-Anne Pace is among the favourites for this year’s Cell C SA Women’s Open at the San Lameer Country Club, a tournament she is yet to win. The annual tournament, with a prize fund of €320 000, takes place from 16 to 19 October in KZN’s South Coast. Among the list of confirmed entrants are defending champion Marianne Skarpnord, South Africans Ashleigh Simon, Stacy Lee Bregman and Paula Reto and American Cheyenne Woods, niece of Tiger Woods.

San Lameer Country Club:

Have you played at the San Lameer Country Club before? 

Just once a very long time ago, but I really can’t remember the course very well.

What do you feel will be the most challenging part of competing at the San Lameer Country Club?

For me it will be jetlag and the weather. I will be travelling back from Asia and the jetlag can be quite severe. I have played golf in KZN and I really love playing at the coast and in windy conditions, which I suspect is what we can expect in the South Coast.

What do you like most about this venue?

We always get treated very well at the SA Open and the holiday atmosphere is most inviting. It’s really nice to be able to compete in South Africa.

What are your expectations/targets for the Cell C SA Women's Open?

I would love to win the tournament – it’s one of my goals and if I can achieve that, it would be an awesome personal achievement. 

Q&A by Renelle Naidoo