Bilene Mozambique

Whenever I chat to my older sister Tina she says she lives in Paradise.

Tina and her family have been living in Mozambique for a handful of years and they pure love it. They live a fair way up the coastline but my most recent adventure only took me a few hours north of Maputo.

After an exhilarating 70minute flight on a 30 seater Airlink Jetstream 41, we landed in the capital, Maputo. One thing that is evident is that the airports in Mozambique have all had a posh new makeover. After a quick queue in the customs and immigration, we grabbed our bags and made our way out into the bustling metropolis of Maputo.

Our airport transfer was keenly waiting in the arrivals hall and took us out to the car. We were greeted by the reality of being in Mozambique. An unwavering police officer was waiting patiently for us to award a ‘fine’ for parking in the hotel transfer parking. After an attempt at reasoning and negotiating, cash was handed over.

It took a while for our host Marriana and her husband Johan, who doubled as our transfer chauffeur, to brush off the welcome we encountered, but eventually they did and the trip began to lighten up. We were flying along impressive new wide roads that had recently been built by Chinese prisoners as we made our way north out of Maputo. Leaving the city behind, we made our way into a more rural setting. The trip lasted nearly three hours, with only two stops by the traffic authorities – we managed to escape without parting with any metical. Another stop was essential to pick up supplies as our destination was self-catering.

Arriving at San Martinho Beach Club, I have to admit I was extremely impressed with the setting. The accommodation that was home for the next four days was right on the water’s edge.  The two floor unit was clean, comfortable and kitted out with everything.

Our lounge and outdoor entertainment area spilled out onto the pearl white sands and into the inviting turquoise natural lagoon. The flat had four bedrooms, three upstairs and one downstairs with one of them having the luxury of an en-suite. I snaffled the main room that was closest to the sea and for the next three nights I fell blissfully asleep to the tranquil sounds of the water lapping onto the beach.

Our first evening we stayed in and dined out with a magnificent spread, Adrian my travelling companion who can put Jamie Olivier to shame in the kitchen, whisked up a peri-peri chicken with some veggies we had acquired at one of the road side traders. The homemade peri-peri sauce was donated by our host Johan, the creator of the delicious marinade. The traditional dish was accompanied by an icy cold 2M beer or a ‘doshem’. 

The evening was quietly enjoyed gazing out over the water; there were only a few twinkling of lights across the way.

During the night the wind picked up unpleasantly, so our itinerary changed from water based activities to exploring the town. Durban could take a page out of Bilene’s tourism guide, we ventured to the southern side of the lake, around the main part of town and towards San Martinho Beach Club, I didn’t spot one piece of litter. There was such an aura of pride, even with the humble traders peddling a number of colourful items; their small domain was spotless and inviting.

Breakfast was at a quaint spot called Mar Azul. Run by a local lady and her Portuguese husband, the venue overlooked the main street so you could relax and refuel as you watched the world go by. The restaurant doubled up as the local butcher as well.

Our meals were both a local dish. Adrian braved the Mozambican Breakfast, an omelette that arrived with a bit of a surprise; a small bony fish graced the plate accompanied by fried chips and a simple garden salad. I ventured for the more English breakfast style, having the sausage, scrambled egg, salad and of course fried chips - the sausage turned out to be more of the Vienna variety. Chips made an appearance next to all of the items offered on the breakfast menu.

There after we spent our time visiting a handful of other resorts in Bilene. From the beautiful rustic Praia do Sol Chalets in the south, to their ultra-posh neighbours Humula Beach Resort. We ventured into the suburb discovering how the locals lived.

The next day, the wind had died down sufficiently that we could venture out onto the water. A small fishing boat came to collect us and took us across the huge lake to where the water escaped into the Indian Ocean. Our gentle skipper anchored the boat in a crystal clear still bay. The crystal clear water begged to be snorkelled in but we opted to hike up to Turtle Bay.

After about forty minutes we stood high above the sea, looking out. Our guide tried his best to tell us in Portuguese that in years gone by, the water below used to be home to hundreds of turtles. The beach used to be littered with evidence of eggs and the roaring waves used to have these magnificent creatures breaking through s they played and fished. We stood up there for ages imagining this time long ago how spectacular the sight must have been.

Eventually we made our way back to the boat and slowly motored to the northern most tip of the lagoon. Stopping off at a fairly rustic bar and restaurant, Villa N Banga. Lunch was a delicious Prego roll, served with the owners very own mango atchar. As a perfect lunchtime companion, a round of R&R’s was delivered.  A firm favourite amongst travellers and locals alike, the drink is made up of Tipo Tinto Rum and a Sparletta type of Raspberry juice.

Being so near the water, the breeze died down enough and we eventually got onto the lagoon, spending the late afternoon paddling out on a brightly coloured sturdy sea kayak. The lagoon looked a bit like an elongated, squashed outline of the United States tipping its cap and our efforts got us only half way across, not so sure Bridgitte Hartley would have been impressed.

Our trip to Bilene slowly wound down to a hurricane, a Saboroso hurricane at the trendy new bar and restaurant at the Tenda Tora Lodge.  The fabulous potent and utterly moreish cocktail designed by Tenda Tora’s owner was served in a jam jar. The food on offer was mighty tasty, fresh and recommended.

The next morning we departed San Martinho early making our way to Maputo. All too soon we were back in the sterile airport environment sitting in no-man’s land. Our time in Bilene was now a memory.

·         Malaria and mosquitoes are a major issue. Travellers to Mozambique are urged to take the necessary precautions.

·         Sea urchins were a slight challenge on the lagoon’s edge when we visited, suggest taking a pair of hardy diving bootys so you can swim and walk in the water.

·         Bilene is a small town but if you are not mobile, then it is quite a trek to head into town

·         San Martinho Beach Club is a self-catering resort. Eating out can become quite costly, so come prepared

·         If you are flying with Airlink, be sure to pack lightly – especially your hand luggage as it is a compact plane.

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 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 Pro Golfer Marianne Skarpnord ahead of Cell C SA Women's Open

2014 hasn’t been a particularly good year for Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord on the LET but she’s known for her positive attitude, steely determination and desire to succeed...qualities that will hold her in good stead when she touches down in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, 13 October to defend her SA Women’s Open crown.

“It’s a strange feeling getting ready to travel to South Africa to defend my title knowing that I haven’t played very well this year. I don’t feel like I’m under any extra pressure as the reigning champion. Obviously I want to put in a good performance but I don’t have any massive expectations.”

Added to her challenges in KZN will be the fact that Skarpnord is heading to unfamiliar territory because she has never played at the San Lameer Country Club.

“I think the course will be my big test at the Cell C SA Women’s Open because I need to quickly learn the course and get used the greens.”

She vividly remembers the 2013 South Africa Women’s Open for various reasons.

“It was certainly one of the strangest tournaments I’ve competed in. The weather was just so brutal but we were always hopeful that we would be able to play more than just one round. When we received the message that no further play was possible and that the winner would be declared based on the first round scores, I was shocked. I was happy that I won but it didn’t feel real, it took me a few hours to realise what had happened.”

The 2013 SA Women’s Open will long be remembered as one of the wettest and shortest international golf tournaments in South Africa. Skarpnord’s first round score of three under par was good enough to be declared the winner, with a seven-way tie for second consisting of South Africans Ashleigh Simon and Stacy Bregman, Minea Blomqvist (Finland), Charley Hull (England), Camilla Lennarth (Sweden), Katie Burnett (USA) and Nina Holleder (Germany).

“That wasn’t the way I wanted to win but I’m glad I did because it gives me a bit more confidence, excitement and positivity about playing in South Africa again. And, my caddy Brian Shezi will be with me again which makes it even more exciting.”

The Norwegian is very critical of her game on the LET this year. “I have played all the LET tournaments this year with the last few being in Scotland, Sweden, Spain and France where I played really well in the first two rounds but went on to have bad weekends. In the past two weeks my game has just not been good enough to compete at this level but I’m hoping that will change in South Africa next week.” However, she did have to contend with a back injury in August.

“I had some problems with my back two months ago which lasted for just under a month but I’m pleased to say that I’m injury free now.” Skarpnord’s best finish this year has been a tie for eighth in Italy.

As a junior, Marianne caught the attention of the golfing fraternity with her natural-born talent and she quickly became regarded as one of the country’s best golfers. As a teenager, she won the British Girls Championship and the Junior Solheim Cup with Europe, a tournament she is fondly remembered for having sunk a six-footer to secure the win for the European team. Two years later in 2005 she got her tour card and marked her entry to the professional circuit with a second place finish at the Skandia PGA Open followed by a 22^nd place finish at the LET-sanctioned OTP Ladies Central European Open. Her first two years on Tour weren’t without challenges for the Norwegian but she quickly turned around her fortunes in 2007 when she decided to play a full season at the Telia Tour. That year she won three tournaments, picked up one second-place and a third-place finish and won the Order of Merit to secure her 2008 LET card. In 2009, Skarpnord bagged her first win on the LET when she defeated England’s Melissa Reid by a single stroke in the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open. She went on to win the Carta Si Ladies Italian Open after beating Laura Davies in a playoff and qualified for the 2010 LPGA Tour after finishing as runner-up in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament in Daytona.  

Looking ahead to the annual co-sanctioned Cell C SA Women’s Open with a prize-purse of €320 000, Skarpnord expects South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace to deliver an impressive performance. “Lee-Anne is one of my favourite players and I think she will be right up there challenging for the title this year.” Among an impressive list of confirmed entrants are Ashleigh Simon, Stacy Bregman, Cheyenne Woods, Maha Haddioui, Sharmilla Nicolett and Paula Reto.

The San Lameer Country Club plays host to this year’s edition of South Africa’s oldest women’s tournament with tee-off times at 06:45am and 11:15am on the first and 10^th tees respectively on Thursday, 16 October. The field comprises a maximum of 126 players, 10 of which will be amateurs.

Entry is free and there will also be complimentary parking at San Lameer for spectators.

Chatting to Moroccan Maha Haddioui ahead of the Cell C SA Women's Open

She’s stylish on the course and a trailblazer in a region of the world where women are oppressed and restricted from expressing their talent or exercising their freedom. Born in Morocco, Maha Haddioui is the only Arab and Moroccan woman to become a professional golfer and has been making significant progress since turning pro in 2010 to achieving her ultimate dream...qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Educated in the United States, Maha says she feels blessed everyday not just because she is able to pursue her dream in professional women’s golf but also because her parents gave her the support and encouragement to do so.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have such liberal and supportive parents who gave me the opportunities and support I needed to become a professional golfer. Neither of my parents plays golf but we lived next to a golf course when I was growing up which meant I could play whenever I wanted to.”

Golf is a non-mainstream sport in Morocco but thanks to Maha’s participation and success on the Ladies European Tour (LET), she has raised awareness and increased interest among younger players.

“Women’s golf is growing in Morocco and there is an attempt to market ourselves as a golf destination in the region which has therefore seen the birth of several golf courses in recent years from 20 in 2010 to about 45 come 2015. We also have more academies now, which has seen a greater interest in the sport especially from younger girls. Currently we have three amateurs with great potential including my sister and a few Arab champions and the Trophy Hassan II and Lalla Meryem Cup also helps to promote the sport in our country.”

She added: “I would love to see more Moroccans participating in golf and become professionals and for more women to join me on the LET.”

The Moroccan heroine has been a good influence on her younger sister Nezha who is also studying at Lynn University in Florida and is working on qualifying for the Tour.

Maha is impressed with the state of golf in South Africa.

“I could confidently say that golf in South Africa is the most developed on the continent and it is something that the rest of us look up to and aspire to. I know a few of the South African ladies on the LET and one of my favourites is Lee-Anne Pace. I love her rhythm and the way she plays on the courses.”

The 25-year old will carry her nation’s hopes when she tees off at the Cell C SA Women’s Open at the San Lameer Country Club from 16 to 19 October. Excited about returning to South African shores, Maha says she enjoys competing in SA’s oldest women’s professional tournament.

“I love the fact that South Africa invests so much in women’s golf and that this tournament provides such a good platform for local and international golfers.”

Like many of her international counterparts, the Moroccan star will have to quickly acclimatise when she touches down in KZN.

“My first big challenge will be recovering from the long flight to South Africa but with all the travelling I have been doing, I don’t think it will be too much of an issue.”

This year’s tournament, with a prize fund of €320 000, takes place at the San Lameer Country Club, a course Maha has not played at before.

“I’m really looking forward to discovering this course. This will be one of the last tournaments of the year and it has a good prize fund so it’s definitely a good opportunity to put in a good performance and gain some points in the rankings. My goal for the Cell C SA Women’s Open would be a top 10 finish! My game has been steadily improving on various levels and I’m just waiting for everything to come together.”

While excited about visiting San Lameer, Maha says she loved her experience at Southbroom last year.

“I absolutely adore the KZN South Coast more so because I was able to feast on oysters off the beach in the mornings.”

Improving her game and making her mark on the LET are top of mind for this skilled Arab beauty who ultimately dreams of representing her country and Africa at the 2016 Olympic Games.

“I am working extremely hard to qualify and represent my country in Brazil in 2016. It is going to be incredibly challenging to qualify but I’m going to give it my all. It would be absolutely amazing representing Morocco and being part of the African contingent at the next Olympic Games.”

Words by Renelle Naidoo

Chatting to Pro Golfer Stacy Bregman ahead of Cell C SA Women's Open

Pic by Rogan Ward

10 Things you didn’t know about STACY LEE BREGMAN

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Let’s just say, I’m a lady who absolutely loves her shoes.

Ever been to a surprise party that was actually a surprise?

No, I haven’t!

I love to eat...

Ice cream

Worst present I ever received was...

Couldn’t have been that bad, because I can’t remember!

I like my eggs...

Sunny-side up!

My dream supercar is...

Maserati

What do you love most about travelling?

Getting to sample different types of food, the styles of cooking and meeting people.

What makes you laugh the most?

Stupid little things.

Do you carry photos of loved ones while on Tour?

Yes, on my phone!

 My favourite clothing item is...

Too many to mention.

Pic from www/ladieseuropeantour.com

90 Seconds with STACY LEE BREGMAN

Any bad injuries?

I tore my rotator cuff in my left shoulder and also broke my arm when I was younger.

Most unforgettable moment on tour?

Spending time in Prague with my best friend, Frances Bondad and also a dance video a few of us players made to a song.

What is your favourite movie/TV series/programme?

Shawshank Redemption and Breaking Bad.

What is your favourite {fashion} accessory?

My jeans.

If you could learn a new/foreign language, which would you choose?

Spanish

What would the title of your autobiography be?

“Learning to be yourself”

Road trip or air-travel?

Road trip

Your favourite South African city?

Cape Town

If you hadn’t become a professional golfer, what career/profession would you have pursued?

Either accounting or physiotherapy.

Pic from www.sunshineladiestour.com

“CHASING YOUR DREAM”:

Stacy Lee Bregman’s pursuit of golf at the end of 15 must have come as a complete shock to her friends and family, who presumably believed she would be more inclined to continue her impressive run in karate and athletics. The 1.6m tall, blue-eyed brunette had achieved her South African colours no less than seven times in karate, clinched her provincial colours for athletics and has a 2004 Sportswoman of the year award from King David Linksfield School.

“I didn’t start playing golf until my late teens but I was always involved in sport at various levels, so it must have been natural progression till I found what I was looking for.”

Now living her dream competing as a professional golfer on the Ladies European Tour (LET), Bregman says the path to success and to realising your dream is often a difficult and challenging one.

“It’s not an easy ride with everything handed to you on a plate – you have to constantly work hard and have to experience various obstacles and hurdles along the way to make you a better person both on and off the greens.”

Fortunately this charming and talented young lady had the full support and encouragement of her family and coach.

“Luckily I’m surrounded by people who believe in me and my talent which made it easier for me to chase my dream of becoming a pro. My coach Neville Sundelson has been an amazing influence in my life, a strong and positive mentor who constantly motivates me to be and to do my best.”

” Humble and motivated, Bregman believes her natural determination and adaptability have made the transition from amateur to professional a relatively easy one.

“When you’re determined to make your dream a reality, to live your dream, you will work as hard as you possibly need to and that describes me and my approach to life in general to a T. My best advice to young ladies wanting to compete on the pro circuit is that they must be prepared for and want to do all the travelling required because if you can’t manage with that aspect of your career, it will have a negative impact on your emotional strength and ultimately on your game.”

Stacy’s favourite moment as an amateur was when she won the world amateur championships, an achievement she cherishes to this day.

”There’s no better feeling than being rewarded with a win. It’s a sweet and precious moment that stays with you forever and has the power to lift you at times when you’re going through a slump in form.”

Her positive attitude and determination to succeed have paid off on the LET.

Last year Bregman competed in 17 tournaments, posted three top-10 finishes, tied for secnd at the South African Women’s Open, tied for 6^th at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, tied for ninth at the China Suzhou Taihu Open and she finished the season ranked 51^st on the ISPS Handa Order of Merit.

Her advice to budding youngsters wanting to chase their dreams? “Go big and by that I mean, the sky is not even the limit – you can achieve whatever you want if you put in the hard work and make the sacrifices.”

Bregman, who celebrates her 28^th birthday on 7 October, is not all work and no play. “I’ve learnt how to balance my life and how to switch gears when not on the course. I love listening to music, watching sport on telly and reading mostly sports biographies.”

The Johannesburg professional is looking forward to competing at the Cell C SA Women’s Open from 16 to 19 October at the San Lameer Country Club. “I’ve had a good 2014 thus far, having broken into the top 15 on the LET money list and would love nothing more than to win on home soil. This is probably my best season as a professional golfer, I’ve grown and matured and am so much stronger mentally, so I’m really looking forward to competing in KZN. The SA Women’s Open is a fantastic event, one which all South African pros are proud to compete in.”

Pic by Rogan Ward

San Lameer Country Club:

Have you played at the San Lameer Country Club before? 

I have but it was a very long time ago.

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

I think the weather will be a big challenge particularly the wind.

What do you like most about this venue?

The coastal line is absolutely magnificent.

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

I would love to win my home event but I’d also happily take a top five finish.

Q&A by Renelle Naidoo

A wander around Washington DC

USA

Washington

Epic adventurer, Ralf Dominick who sailed around the world and recently travelled to Antarctica strongly suggested to me a stopover in Washington DC and following his advice, I did just that spending six days in the capital.

Dominick had spent a month in Washington living on his boat so he got to know the town extremely well. Home for me for the duration of the stay was in the historic district of LeDroit Park a short metro ride from majority of the sights.

As one of the first suburbs of Washington, LeDroit Park was developed and marketed as a ‘romantic’ neighbourhood with narrow tree-lined streets that bore the same names as the trees that shaded them. The colourful neighbourhood had a very distinct architecture with Victorian mansions co-existing with row houses that were all elegantly and brightly painted. My accommodation was terrible but the suburb certainly was fabulous and the local pub was well worth a stop, called the Boundary Stone Public House, it served great food and offered an array of locally brewed beers all on tap. A pint of DC Brau was certainly a memorable craft.

Every night after catching the last train out, wandering home I strolled past the century old Howard Theater and every night the red carpet was dressing up the pavement with limousines lining up outside waiting for their guests. The events changed nightly at the busy theatre from a glitzy CD launch by a famous hip-hop artist, to an awards evening to a rap artist concert. They were all by invite only and posters of a theatre performance being advertised was weeks away.

Each day I would venture into Washington, exploring the well-known sights. The capital for me was very monotone. All the sights, the buildings and monuments felt like it was one colour; marble-white certainly dominated the colour chart. But saying this, there was an air of excitement being in this ‘famous’ city.

I trawled the city stopping at all the main tourist attractions, saying hi to the massive statues of Jefferson and Lincoln, cruising around the manicured grounds on Capitol Hill, wandering past the heavily-secured small building of the White House, gazing heavenwards up at the Washington Monument that was under repairs from an earthquake in 2011 and pondered the meaning of war as I wandered through various war memorials dotted around the city.

The city was immaculate, with an almost Singaporean approach to litter, these was hardly any! Breaking up the monotone colour scheme were the cheerful Cherry Blossom trees. I had missed the Cherry Blossom Festival by a week but the tail end of the blooms was still a delightful treat. The daffodils were blooming marvellous, every single street had rainbow displays, if they were in pots, flowerbeds or planted neatly around traffic circles they certainly made a jolly impact.

The Smithsonian Institutions were great. I spent fat too much time exploring through the sculpture gardens, the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Art Gallery, African American History and Culture Museum, African Art Museum, United States Botanical Gardens and the information building nestled in The Castle – the only building in the vicinity that was brick coloured and not the antique colour of marble white.

The African Art Museum was interesting but I far more enjoyed the underground warren of art-clad corridors that took you into a maze of other gallery spaces. I landed up in the Arthur M Sackler Gallery and I relished the two exhibitions there, Chigusa and the Art of Tea a flavourful and insightful exhibition of the origins and traditions of tea in China and the Kiyochika: Master of the Night. This late 19^th century Japanese artist Kobayashi Kiyochika paintings reflected the transformations of modernity around Tokyo before and after the great fire that wiped out the city.

My American culinary adventures went along the lines of when in Rome, do what the Roman’s do – this included a lunch at a MacDonalds where I sampled a Big Mac burger. After a full morning exploring through the National Museum of the American Indian, I dined out on a Native inspired menu. I sampled a delicious Wild Rice and Watercress salad accompanied by a snap pea and lotus root salad drizzled with aged sherry vinaigrette.

A moving highlight was spending time at the Pentagon’s 911 memorial. With all the conspiracy theories flying around about the tragic day, visiting this simple memorial on an un-crowded Sunday was still heartfelt. Over a decade on, the injured side of the Pentagon was still a construction sight with the beeps of construction vehicles interrupting the peaceful surroundings. 

A glistening black marble wall carved with the names of the people that lost their lives that day shadowed by a proud American flag wafting about, greeted visitors. To the right was a barren park with a few young trees starting their ascent in the hopes of shading the memorial. A knee high wall cupped the park and every couple of meters on top of the wall was a sign with a year engraved. Travelling across the floor of the park was a line that came up to meet the timeline spotted along the boundary. The timeline on the wall indicated the year that the 911 victims were born; the timeline began at 1998 and ended at 1930.

Rising out of the gravel, between the lines were a number of diving boards that looked out of place without a massive shimmering turquoise pool. On closer inspection, each statue had a small serenity pool situated directly under the overhang. At night, lights shone up through the water illuminating the statues in an eerie but beautiful manner.

The 184 diving boards shot off in two directions in a somewhat sporadic order. Chatting to a Pentagon Policeman that was lurking at the entrance to the park, he explained that the statues jutting towards the Pentagon were the lives lost on the plane and the statues facing away were in the Pentagon at the time of the impact.

Another encounter with a kind police officer happened at a deserted Metro station in the city late one evening. The young officer accompanied by a beautiful black Labrador was sweeping the area looking for anything out of the ordinary. Leo the Labrador and his partner worked for the bomb unit and Leo had recently returned from spending two years in Afghanistan. He was working the quieter late shift as he had just graduated from six months in rehab after all the action he had seen. A sad reality of war that this poor Labrador had been a part of.

A couple of evenings in DC were spent at the annual Filmfest DC. Being a frequent Durban International Film Fest goer, it was great to see how other cities put on festivals. Filmfest DC should be commended for its successful weeklong flurry of films. The venues were cleverly married up to the films that it was showing. I watched a French feature film, Gare du Nord at the French Embassy and a Danish thrilling who-dunnit, The Keeper of Lost Causes at a historic old theatre that had been converted into movie houses. All the staff at the fest were cheerful, engaging and helpful.

Most days before heading back to my accommodation to change into evening attire, I would take a breather from the overload of sightseeing. The famous patch of lawn stretching from Capitol Hill to the Washington Monument was a healthy shade of green and it became a hive of activity when everyone knocked off from work. The activities on the lawns were adorned with various mixed leagues ranging from American Football to soccer to softball and even a strict class of boot camp. Sitting on the benches people watching, a steady stream of runners and dog walkers would hustle past, dodging strolling tourists. Majority of the Capitol workers certainly were in peak fitness condition, in contrast to the lumpy tourists wandering around. 

Watching the sunset over the Capitol, the city of DC started to twinkle under lights, I got to see the magnificent sights under darkness. Certainly a memorable sight.

DC was fascinating, a wonderful adventure, I am glad that I got to explore the powerhouse of the Western world. Will I rush back there again? I would have to say it is a case of been there, done that and didn’t fancy acquiring the T-shirt.