Al takes the 2016 Vasco title in record time

Point Yacht Club

Vasco da Gama Ocean Race

Port Elizabeth: 25 April

Al Mount Gay Rum skippered by Rob van Rooyen goes one better this year, taking line honours in record time and claiming the handicap win in the 45^th edition of the Vasco da Gama Ocean Race hosted by Point Yacht Club.

The defending champ on handicap sailed a flawless race in a time of 2 days 6 hours 1min 22 sec, smashing the record by 56mintues and claiming the double when she arrived in Port Elizabeth yesterday (Monday) evening at 06:01pm. The team of eight from Cape Town were delighted with their victory, “We knew going into the race that getting the double was a possibility, we knew it would be a challenge but anything is possible. A double whammy, it really is wonderful.” an elated van Rooyen said as soon as he reached the moorings.

Continuing, he stated, “We were really disappointed when Yes Girl retired! They sailed a phenomenal race straight out of the starting blocks and into the lead. We were happy if they got line honours, we knew we could take them on the handicap, and our game plan was to beat them tactically. But once they retired, our tactics changed and we eyed out our next opposition, Bellatrix who at that stage were lying in third, behind us before Yes Girl made her way to East London.”

“We opted to sail using the currents, but once the sea state deteriorated, we came inshore. My team did fantastically, all things considering. One or two got seasick, but they dug deep and got over it. The more experienced guys handled the rough weather like champs.”

“Our average age, we worked out is 24 years on the boat. I just turned 30 and two of the other guys are 30. The youngest is 17. So, we are young, eager crew. We all have been sailing on and off together since I was about ten, so we know each other’s abilities, strengths and weaknesses.”

With the fleet getting dished all sorts of weather, being battered by lumpy seas, winds from all directions, van Rooyen commented, “Al was great. I think going into the race that is where we were better compared to the other guys. We have been prepping Al for the last six months and were extremely well prepared and managed to keep the boat in one piece throughout the heavy stuff. She was sailing like a dream. So I do believe we started at an advantage to the rest of the guys, no one else spent half a year readying their boat.”

With the upcoming Cape2 Rio race around the corner, van Rooyen highlighted, “We would consider doing a race like Rio but in all honesty, the Vasco is far more challenging. Yes, the race only last two days but the actual getting to Durban, and sailing along the SA coastline. This race is much more difficult that the Rio race, in my opinion. There is far more adrenaline in this short, burst down the coastline.”

The next boat to cross the line was Durban’s very own Bellatrix skippered by Gregg Hurter, who arrived just over three hours behind Al. The two pushed each other the entire race, down the coastline, both opting to stay relatively close to shore. As they neared the end, Al accelerated in the varying winds, expanding the gap between the two.

After 400NM, two boats diced it all the way towards finish line in the hopes of claiming third across the line. Only one nautical mile separated the two that were due in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday). Rocket, skippered by Herbie Karolius from Cape Town put in a fine display of sailing, having had to return back to sheltered waters, soon after their disastrous start. The Simonis 54 snagged the start buoy as they were heading through the line on the start on Saturday. After a battle to free it, they eventually cut the warp free and started their voyage only to realise that they in fact were dragging the start line’s anchor, which was slowing them down.

Hats off to the dark horse, Yes Girl from Cape Town, skippered by Gabriel Fernandes the L35 Mod looked to have the race wrapped up with a red ribbon, but as ocean racing goes, it isn’t over until you cross the line. In the proverbial all things happen in threes, Yes Girl certainly was dished a threesome. First, as they were heading to the start line, they got stuck on the ‘putty’, beaching themselves at low tide on the sandbank at the end of the marina. They then got themselves tangled around the start line when they got offshore, dragging it for some distance. And then the third and fatal blow to their race, their steering system packed up after the boat was pushed to the maximum late on Sunday, when they were forced to retire to East London.

Joining them in East London, the gorgeous Ray of Light also had to retire due to blowing out their head on their main sail in 40knots wind. Helmed by the husband and wife team, Heidi and Michael Kavanagh will be disappointed as they got brand new sails leading up to this race.

The remainder of the exhausted 16 strong fleet arrived in to Port Elizabeth with only one boat not being able to cross the lien in the allocated time, Izimoyo II skippered by Jasper van der Westhuizen just didn’t make the cut, as they battled with the challenging conditions the whole way from Durban to Port Elizabeth.

For more info visit www.pyc.co.za or like the Facebook page or follow it on YB Tacking

Chatting to Pro Golfer, Welsh lady Sahra Hassan

Cell C SA Women’s Open

Sahra Hassan

The upbeat Welsh golfer, Sahra Hassan from Newport was back in the country to tee-off for the Cell C SA Women’s Open.

“This is my third time taking part in the SA Women’s Open,” the cheerful individual stated. “I love it but San Lameer is going to be testing! This is my first time I am playing here and it looks like a good challenge.”

“I managed to hit a few balls at the range but got drenched in the downpour; my clubs and bag are off drying at the mo. I did a bit of putting earlier as well so I am feeling good ahead of the tournament tomorrow (Thursday).”

During the build-up to the London Olympics, Hassan was awarded the 2012 United Kingdom Sportswoman of the Year by the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation at Wembley Stadium, “It was perhaps the proudest moment of my career. I didn’t even know that I had been nominated to be honest.”

“I was up against a pro soccer player and a basketball player. I really hadn’t expected to be recognised with the award. I hadn’t even prepared a speech!” she says with a grin.

The 26year old golfer will be playing with in-form South African Nicole Garcia and French player Ariane Provot. “I was in the South of France in Biarittz two weeks ago playing in the Lacoste Ladies Open de France. I almost got a hole-in-one! It was so close, it teasingly hit the pin and frustratingly bounced out!” an animated Hassan claims.

Continuing, the relaxed player states, “I don’t have any real favourite moments that stand out for me, I have a terrible memory but had I landed that hole-in-one in France, that moment would have stood out for me!”

“I love the game because it is relaxing and yet so frustrating, it’s difficult to describe. I was a fairly decent tennis player back in the day. I got to warm-up with Serena and Venus Williams; that was really cool! When I was 13years old my tennis coach recommended I take a month off which I did. My dad was a keen golfer, so I started playing with him and have never looked back. I still play a bit of tennis with my mates when I get the time.”

Chatting about any difficulties she has had to overcome, she gently responds, “The first time I was ever challenged, I was too young to really understand what was going on. I was playing girls almost double my age. When I was about ten, I was taking on 18year olds - and I was beating them. In one instance, my opponent did take the defeat to well and resorted to a few racial remarks.”

“I didn’t retaliate, didn’t know how but those words had an impact on me!”

Coming from a very supportive close family, the optimistic sports star encourages, “What advice would I give if I were standing up in front of group of people I would tell them....RUN!” she breaks into a beaming smile and continues,  “No, just kidding. The advice is simple. Take a deep breath and try and relax. And smile!”

“I think if you really wanted to overcome adversity, the first step would be making up your mind to make a change. Like in golf, you have to be mentally strong to overcome life’s challenges. I have the support of my extended family and close friends and I am extremely fortunate to have this. Together with their support and hard work, I am able to live out my dream. How lucky am I?”

Asked what is next for her, after the Cell C SA Women’s Open, she concludes, “I head home for three weeks to rejuvenate before three more big events to end off the year. I am off to play in China in mid-November, then head to New Delhi in India at the beginning of December with my last stop for the year in Dubai.

For more info visit www.sawomensopen.co.za or www.ladieseuropeantour.com

To follow Sahra Hassan, find her on twitter: @sahra_hassan13

All pix by Justin Klusener

Chatting to her after the event, Sahra said a moment that stood out for her was the opening function - a traditional braai or BBQ. "The braai was great fun, loved the traditional food!"
In regards to her score of +4 (72, 76 & 72) she said, "I am happy with where I finished, hit the ball great all week, just couldn't buy a putt! Very frustrating as I could of finished well up there if I'd holed a few, but just didn't happen for me."
And speaking about San Lameer, the wonderful welsh lady said, "The course was great, loved it, considering the bad weather we had it was still in great condition. I just found the greens tricky!"

Chatting to Golfing Guru and Tournament Promoter Lesley Copeman

Cell C SA Women's Open
Somerset West

Lesley Copeman

Having the opportunity to chat with golfing guru, Lesley Copeman, it feels like you are surfing Wikipedia researching Women’s Golf, but her descriptions are far more colourful and entertaining than looking at a computer screen.

Copeman is hard at work making this year’s Cell C SA Women’s Open tournament a huge success. With the title of Tournament Promoter, she is at the helm helping organise South Africa’s oldest women’s professional golf tournament that tees off at the recently refurbished San Lameer Country Club.

“I wouldn’t like to tip one favourite in particular; we have such a strong field at this year’s tournament. But it is going to be exciting watching the top ladies which is perhaps a pool of 15 to 20 players. The in-form ladies like Lee-Anne (Pace); Paula (Reto) or Connie Chen who is really performing at the moment, they are all South Africa stars and could be the ones to watch. Along with American Cheyenne Woods, British players Charley Hull and Trish Johnson who is of course the oldest lady competing but she is playing great golf.”

Smiling, she continues, “It is impossible to choose because one round, or one mistake and it can all go to pot and a complete outside who is playing consistently can take the lead. It could really go to anybody”

Talking about how she got into playing golf, she states, “I used to participate in field hockey and play a bit of tennis but honestly, I was a golfing orphan. Both my parents and my brother played so it was either being home alone or go and join them. The first course I played was in Swartkop up in Pretoria.”

“Comparing the modern day game to when I played, the courses have gotten longer but the equipment has gotten better. There are more girls trying to get onto the circuit but when I was starting out, you still had to qualify! There are of course differences but it is still the same obstacles.”

Continuing she says, “Back in the day, our equipment wasn’t advanced as it is nowadays, so playing was a bit more difficult. Training for us was a little bit of gym and quite a lot of mental training. My game changed when I read a book called ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’ by John C Maxwell; I was able to move to a different level.”

“All of the techniques used today have gotten a lot better. Nowadays, it is gym, the way you eat, the way you think. We were at the beginning of that era. I was still playing when Sweden’s Annika Sörenstam first hit the scene and she started the changes towards the modern day game.”

Asked which her favourite courses are, she claims, “Shew, it’s like music, it all depends on my mood. I would have to say East London would feature, as well as the Wild Coast, Suncity and of course San Lameer. They suit my game and have beautiful scenery around them.”

San Lameer is said to be a tight course where you have to place your shot very carefully and if the wind comes up it is going to be a huge challenge. “I was very good on Iron play and was accurate. Anything from 150yards in, I was very good with it. That was my strength.”

With a handicap of 5, she still enjoys a social round, “I still play a little but I would say my hobbies are more leisure orientated. Pottering in the garden or cooking. I occasionally get to play a round with my brother.”

The Somerset West resident is gearing up to watch 124 top international and national players take to the greens in the game that is close to her heart.

For more info visit www.sawomensopen.co.za

Chatting to Parkour, Dancing enthusiast Arne Janse Van Rensburg

Shall We Dance

Playhouse Opera: 5 – 13 September

Interview with Arne Janse Van Rensburg

Pic by Ben Franke ~ www.republicaupdate.com

 On meeting Arne Janse van Rensburg, a 20year old dancer in this year’s Shall We Dance, you look up to him straight away.

The tall smiling frame quietly stands next to you while watching the monster photoshoot unfold for the dance extravaganza. His dance instructor, Mark Wilson breaks the ice by informing me the gentle giant alongside me is a concert pianist and a parkour enthusiast.

Parkour I question and he explains, “Parkour is a freestyle discipline that allows you to move around mostly urban spaces in the most efficient manner possible. It is a combination of running, climbing, swinging, vaulting, jumping, and rolling. The world becomes your obstacle course and we revel in moving through it.”

“It is one of my many hobbies. Apart from building general health, fitness and strength, the art of parkour gives an immense feeling of freedom to move over obstacles at a high speed and with little effort. The benefits are countless, varying from building confidence to giving a hand in everyday life and simply being a lot of fun.”

Janse van Rensburg’s outdoor hobbies reveal that he is an avid surfer as well as an off-road cyclist, “I’ve considered dancing a hobby mostly. I've been playing piano since I was nine and mean to carry on with it. It's first on my priority list.”

Pic by Ben Franke ~ www.republicaupdate.com

“I'd like to travel the world playing smaller recitals in as many different countries as possible. I hope to be able to give Master Classes on my travels as well.”

Apart from doing some minor demos and competitions he hasn’t been on the stage for any major performances, but he is still young. “I don't think it's possible to pinpoint what makes me love playing piano, it's something that comes from the heart and thus difficult to describe. I can name some things I do 'consciously' enjoy though, which obviously starts with the music itself. I'm a big fan of nearly any music written before around 1900. I generally don't like modern music much even though I dance to it!”

Continuing, he states, “The complicated theory bordering mathematical genius behind old music completely fascinates me, the way composers turned theories into something that speaks to the heart in such a powerful way is something I can't quite fathom.”

Pic from x-move.net

“And figuring out those ideas and working them into my performance through practice is a huge amount of pleasure as well. Classical music is probably one of the best challenges for the mind, in that it's very enjoyable and satisfying on top of often being highly complicated, even for people who don't understand the theory, it's a universal language.”

Chatting about dancing, he claims, “My parents believe that dancing should be part of our education, for mental and social growth. Needless to say I was quite reluctant to go for the first time. Against everything I expected the lesson turned out good fun and before long dancing became one of the highlights of my week. 

“The first time I danced was rather awkward in more than one ways. Perhaps for a teenage boy the most daunting thing about dancing is the close contact with girls, and that combined with strange leg movements you've never done before can become a lot to get your mind around when first starting.” he says smiling.

“I'm an enthusiastic hobbyist. I've gone through many different hobbies in my life, most of which I took quite seriously at some stage. To name a few, I've spent time stargazing, doing archery, snake hunting, breeding snakes as well as rehabilitating and removing them from homes or gardens. I enjoy building 1700s trading ship models, and photography which has now almost evolved into profession.”

Pic by Ben Franke ~ www.republicaupdate.com

Getting called up for his second round of photos, concluding, he says, “I would love to go to Mongolia. Something about that country has had me intrigued for a long time. The other thing is I'd like to dedicate my life for the good of the planet in some way. It bothers me greatly how nonchalantly people treat the current state the planet is in. If there's something I can do to change that I'll do my best.”

Janse Van Rensburg will be taking to the stage for his first ever performance in Shall We Dance and walking away from him, I look up to this beautiful man more than when I started chatting to him. What a sensational, captivating individual and I am honoured to have met him.

Shall We Dance runs at the Playhouse Opera from 5 – 13 September and booking is through Computicket.

Pic from www.aion.mx

Chatting to Nqoba Mswazi before he joins the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Nqoba Mswazi

Durban’s yacht club, the Royal Natal Yacht Club bids a fond farewell to young Nqoba Mswazi as he heads off to Qingdao in China to compete in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

The accomplished sailor who grew up in Umgababa flies out to the port of Qingdao on the east coast of China to join the fleet of 12 Clippers that are currently sailing around the world. Mswazi will be racing on one leg in the tenth race of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race that will take about four or five weeks to sail to San Francisco.  He is one of the more experienced crew members on the yacht, Invest Africa.

Mswazi, a regular sailing personality nicknamed ‘The Machine’, competes in all of the local races offshore of Durban and has only sailed in two international races prior to his upcoming Pacific crossing. He competed in the Colorpress Vasco da Gama Race from Maputo to Durban last year and early on his sailing career he raced in the Round Creole Island Race in Reunion.

“My first international race I competed in Reunion, my mentor Sean Jones and I competed in a class that we knew little about but learnt a lot. It was the F18 class, a big hobie cat, we came third last but my passion for sailing ignited there.”

Asked what he is most nervous about his upcoming adventure, he quickly states, “The cold!”

Pic by Trevor Wilkins

Having just turned 21, he celebrated this milestone in Portsmouth when he was there for his Clipper Training. Mswazi certainly has a bright future ahead of him in the sport of sailing.

The Rear Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Rob Samways said, “We wish Nqoba well, he will grow in leaps and bounds with this opportunity. I personally am looking forward to his return as he will be crewing on our yacht Sticky Fingers in this year’s Vasco da Gama Race. His fresh experience will work wonders for us.”

The tough 5,800 nautical mile race begins on Sunday 16 March and is a monster of a leg. Once leaving the safety of the port, the clippers will be weaving around local fishing boats offshore of China battling with the renowned fog that hovers off the coastline of China. The cold winter conditions will challenge the fleets in the first week at sea as snow will be a regular feature on the decks.

Mswazi and his team will have to read the weather carefully as they cross the largest ocean in the world. Will they sail close to the rhumb line, the shortest route that you can sail and run the risk of light winds or head north for a colder but stronger ride east.

Invest Africa’s estimated arrival is around 15 April, “I am looking forward to the privilege of sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge. The sailors that I have spoken to have talked highly about the feeling that you get gliding underneath it, the magical sight of San Francisco coming into focus after weeks at sea.” Mswazi concluded.

Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Nqoba Mswazi is going places as he tackles the upcoming Clipper Round the World Yacht Race leg from Qingdao to San Francisco.

For more info on the race, visit http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/ or visit the Royal Natal Yacht Club site www.rnyc.org.za

Sailing from Mauritius to Durban - Part One Mauritius

Let me begin by saying that I am not a sailor; I have just had the absolute privilege to odyssey across oceans by form of yacht.

My latest adventure began in the picturesque setting of Mauritius with the final destination of my hometown, Durban. The beauty of travelling by yacht is the opportunity to stop off at some truly magnificent hidden gems on our planet.

I met the vessel Topaz in Grand Baie, a popular tourist destination for obvious reasons, the turquoise glistening ocean lapping on to golden sands, exquisite palm trees framing the beaches and the kind locals habituating in the quaint village surrounding the bay.

Topaz had been anchored in Grand Baie for ten days and I joined the crew for another two nights floating in tropical paradise. During the steamy hot days, I walked around Grand Baie, cruising along the shoreline admiring a variety of boats anchored in the bay; a number of beautiful Hindu deities had the eternal setting of Grand Baie, along with a very Nordic-looking church built right on the water’s edge. In contrast to the pristine area, just beyond a jetty in dire disrepair, the remains of a tall ship jutted out of the water adding some mystery to the bay. Returning back to the boat, I meandered past a variety of architecture, along with some quirky tourist arcades.

The perfect setting was interrupted by the roar of fast flying speed boats zipping dare-devilish through the anchorage, carving wakes for their skiers that they were dragging behind them. The evenings however were blissful, with postcard sunsets rewarding our stay as we sipped on exotic colourful cocktails from the resort bars.

We enjoyed a tranquil slow sail from Grand Baie to Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. Safely tied up in the small marina, Topaz, a 51ft Australian built Adams monohull, was dwarfed by the tail-end of the lavish Oyster fleet that were circumnavigating the globe. Added to the mix of circumnavigators were three yachts, a German couple on their yacht Wigwam. Sailing in convoy were two ketches that had been cruising for three years, an American couple and their two teenage children sailing on Azimuth and a Canadian couple with their three children on Viatrix.

In the capital, I had one day to explore the bustling town, admiring the waterfront that was a smaller, carbon copy of our V@A Waterfront. The main promenade had the funkiest shade, with an array of multi-coloured umbrellas casting shadows below creating a rainbow awning above the busy walkway. The neat, well-kempt town was a joy to wander around. Discovering the local hangouts set on the outskirts of town, the massive horse track, modern day office blocks standing tall next to ancient buildings housing retailers, urban parks adding some greenery to the concrete terrain and a number of places of worship dotted around.

Our departure time was moved forward as our skipper, Rob Ferenczi had been warned that our next port of call had a tricky entrance and with the tides, we needed to get there before 07:00am. Our departure time was now at sunset with the weather looking very favourable for a gentle sail to Saint Pierre, Reunion.

Enroute back to the marina, a number of people were gazing heavenwards, cameras and cellphones all snapping at something in the sky. Curious, looking up I saw a perfect halo circling the sun, I took this sentiment as a blessing for our upcoming passage.

Our last adventure on land was acquiring a bit of fresh food from the charming fruit, veg and traditional medicine market. The traders all enticed us with their wares but only a handful spoke English, so our trading and bartering was done with good old hand signals.

As the sun began to set on Mauritius, we departed in convoy with Viatrix. Next stop the French island of Reunion.

Where blue sky touches paradise

I love island escapes; there are always enough activities to keep you occupied and on an island you are forced to relax and rejuvenate. 

This was the case on my recent visit to Bazaruto Island in Mozambique staying at the magnificent Indigo Bay Resort. One of two resorts on the island, my destination was three short flights away from Pietermaritzburg.

Bazaruto is the biggest island off Mozambique, spanning 37kms from tip to tip with a girth of 6kms. With 2,700 locals inhabiting the island, you get a good feel of everyday life in our neighbouring country. International tourists lap up the opportunity of cultural excursions into the villages and in the evenings locals put on a vibrant show, and dance around bon-fires lit on the beaches.

Gazing out over the water surrounding Indigo Bay, you are mesmerised by the number of shades of blue there are in the world, some I am sure don’t even feature on detailed colour charts. Rising early for sunrise strolls, I beat all the other tourists onto the beach, relishing my island-style existence sauntering along neatly- kept beaches, my footprints were often the only ones left in the golden sand.

Later in the morning, when the resort came to life, refreshed tourists ventured out to tackle various activities with gusto. Each day the activities menu included snorkelling; sunset sailing on a dhow; diving; dune boarding; horse-riding; deep-sea fishing or surfing. An extensive selection of boards are available in all shapes and sizes. And if that wasn’t enough, there is a myriad other options which can be custom-ordered – kite surfing for example; or snorkelling or diving off two-mile reef. Everyone at Indigo Bay would go to the ends of the earth to make your stay a pleasant memorable holiday.

My first full day was spent snorkelling around Paradise Island, true to its name. I hunted for a precious glimpse of the fabled Dugong – a rare cousin of the more familiar dolphin. After almost two hours in the water, having seen an encyclopaedia of reef life, I retreated back to the boat all prune-like, unsuccessful in my Dugong quest, but utterly satisfied. That afternoon we were free to explore Paradise and went onto the neighbouring island.

In the 50’s an extravagant Portuguese man had built a huge resort on the island, with rooms, chalets, a restaurant reaching out into the ocean and an interestingly-designed church. When the civil war struck, he escaped back to his homeland, leaving the place to lie dormant. After 25 years the now desolate place is a wonderful setting for a Robinson Crusoe wander. Having extensively clambered through the ruins, I reunited with my fellow snorkelers. After all the fresh air, swimming and walking we devoured our lunch, the picnic style beach braai was munched under a massive tarpaulin sheltering us from the sun. All of us returned in the late afternoon sun-kissed and happy.

A couple of hours later I was treated to a session at the spa, in arguably one of the best settings I have ever seen for a spa. After 45minutes of kneading elbows and healing hands I walked out taller, far less entangled and knotted. Walking back to the reception I stopped to enjoy the setting sun casting a firey glow on the trickling pond that disappeared into the ocean beyond.

The following day when the world was still asleep I met Holy Lad; a tall, dark and handsome steed. Together with Alfonso, the activities man, Holy Lad and I cantered off along the beach. Following Alfonso we passed coral reefs revealed by the low tide, shell banks and basic boat building yards set amongst coconut trees. Two works-in-progress of varying completion were propped up against the trees with a few chaps busy adding more wood to their creations. Alfonso explained that one dhow, a traditional fishing boat, could take anywhere between six months to a handful of years to complete.

Shortly after we turned up and trotted through a number of villages, a few of the small rondavel like huts were equipped with solar panels. Children played in pristine front gardens before heading off to school. Everyone greeted us pleasantly as we rode past them.

Inbetween formal activities, I managed to spend hours soaking up the sun or perfecting hanging out in a hammock on the seaside accompanied by an anthology of Saul Williams poetry. Home for my stay was a thatched chalet raised on sticks nestled in amongst the coastal forest. It was a stone throw away from the ocean, at night you were lulled to sleep by the waves gently tumbling onto the sand. I was utterly enchanted by the outdoor shower with gorgeous sea views.

Another highlight was a sunset dhow cruise. We waded through knee high water and boarded a local’s dhow, setting sail to nowhere. We carved through the water in a light wind with the skipper quietly gliding us offshore as the shadows grew longer and the sun slipped below the horizon, displaying yet another perfect sunset.

He dropped us off in front of Club Naval, the beachside restaurant where we were enticed to indulge in yet another exquisite menu. The food over the period of my stay was heavenly, from buffet breakfasts fit for a king, to lunches that encouraged siestas. To dinners, both buffet and set menus, that would have Jamie Oliver or Nigella Lawson going back for more.

I returned home with batteries recharged, completely invigorated and revitalised by nature.

My trip was kindly made possible by Airlink, Indigo Bay and Solenta Aviation. Airlink fly into Vilankulo, for more info go to www.airlink.co.za. A short flight on a Cessna airplane operated by Solenta takes you to Bazaruto, for more info contact 011 312 0196 or reservations@cfa.co.za. For bookings at Indigo Bay, contact Rani Resorts on 011 658 0633 or www.indigobayresort.com.

ENDS