English-speaking world

24 June 2023

CARDIFF

 Cardiff – in Welsh ‘Caerdydd’ – is located on the Southern coast of Wales, at the mouth of the River Taff, about 150 miles west of London. Outsiders most readily associate the capital of Wales with Cardiff Arms Park, where stirring international rugby matches are played. Another famous association is the highly acclaimed Welsh National Opera. Cardiff was fairly insignificant until the 1830s, when the second Marquis of Bute began building docks to transport coal from the nearby valleys. 


Cardiff

Roath Park, Cardiff: The clock tower and promenade


    Nowadays the docks at Cardiff Bay are undergoing massive regeneration. The Welsh Industrial and Maritime Museum provides a full-scale introduction into the coal- and iron-ore industries through an exhibition on power and displays of old locomotives and boats, and Techniquest is an excellent and interesting hands-on science center.

17 June 2023

CORPUS CHRISTI

 City is major deep-water port and one of Texas' most popular seacoast playground cities. First settlement began as frontier trading post founded 1839; obscure settlement until about 1845 when accelerated growth began. Institutions of higher learning are Del Mar College and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Seawall, with steps to the water, was built in the late 1930s as part of a major landfill that created Shoreline Boulevard and the popular "T" head docks for pleasure boats.


CORPUS CHRISTI

 This view of the skyline of beautiful Corpus Christi, Texas shows some of the many features which attract more and more tourists every year.



Corpus Christi Beach, north of downtown over the bridge, is the site of the USS Lexington and Texas State Aquarium, and offers park areas, picnic tables, showers, and rest rooms. In keeping with the city's image of having glistening waterways, Corpus Christi's Water Garden sparkles for visitors who see, hear, and touch the garden's water. Some 150 fountains form nucleus of park, which is lighted at night.

 

Travel Texas

10 June 2023

KEMPTON PARK

 20 km north-east of Johannesburg, a thriving industrial centre. Jan Smuts International Airport, named after Field Marshal the Right Honourable JC Smuts, former Prime Minister and Statesman, is the principal airport in the country. International flights to five continents. The Modderfontein explosives factory, located in the municipality, serves the various gold mines in the vicinity.

CHIP FACTORY TOUR 
Demonstrates the production of potato chips, from peeling to packaging.
BLAAUWPAN DAM
In Bonaero Park. A popular dam among windsurfers. Facilities around the dam as well as a bird sanctuary.

 

Holiday Inn, Kempton Park 1620, South Africa


BREWERY TOUR
A 2-3 hour tour shows the brewing and bottling processes of beer, including a sample of the product.
DRIES NIEMANDT SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL GROUNDS
Facilities for various sports, including a golf course and a country club. A small dam with picnic and barbeque facilities. Rondavels available for special functions.

03 June 2023

ST. CATHARINES

 A historic city in the heart of the wine country and the Niagara fruit belt, where half of the province's entire output of fruit is grown. Originally a Loyalist settlement, St. Catharines had been a depot of the "Underground Railroad", the site of the first Welland Canal, and also had the first electric street car system in North America. For over 100 years the city has been home to the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, second only in size to the famous English regatta.

St. Catharines

 Looking North on St. Paul Street 

This beautiful city has been nicknamed the ‘Garden City’ due to its many gardens, parks and trails. There is at least 4 square km of green space within city limits.
Niagara Grape & Wine Festival.
A festival honouring the ripening of the grapes. Ten days of wine gardens, vineyard tours, ethnic concerts, dances, athletic events and a big parade with bands and colourful floats. (Late September.)

 

Destination Ontario 

27 May 2023

BIRMINGHAM

 Birmingham, Britain's largest city after London, cannot be called beautiful; wrecked by city "planners" of the mid-20th century, it is a mess of flyover roads, industrial parks and sprawling suburbs. But it also has more canals than Venice (created as an early mass-transport system at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries) and a few splendid Victorian buildings, the legacy of its 19th-century wealth and industrial importance. Birmingham is part of an extensive canal network, a good escape from the jungle of roads and intersections.

Birmingham
 

The Bull Ring * Council House * New Street

 At Bournville, another major industry opens its doors to visitors: Cadbury World offers the chance to look around a chocolate factory established by the Cadbury family during the 19th century. While in Birmingham, do not pass up a chance to hear the top-quality City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in its home at the Symphony Hall.

20 May 2023

GLACIER

 Foremost among the treasures of Glacier Country is the wealth of outdoor activities. It is a natural mecca for water lovers. With over 800 lakes and more than 5,000 stream miles, Glacier Country has enough wet stuff to whet anyone's appetite. Rafting, swimming, canoeing, windsurfing - nearly any type of watersport you can name is here in abundance. The famous Going-to-the Sun Highway takes you through lush stands of pine trees, jagged mountain peaks and endless blue sky. With warm Pacific breezes and the shelter of the Rocky Mountains, the climate stays quite comfortable year-round. Glacier Country has something to offer for every taste and style. But be forewarned: one visit, and you'll be hooked for life.

Glacier

LAKE McDONALD, GLACIER NATIONAL PARK [1964]

The largest of over 250 lakes in the Park is 12 miles long, 1½ miles wide, and 400 feet deep and lies near the western entrance. Five prominent peaks in background are Vaught, Cannon, Brown, Edwards and Lincoln Peak. Since Glacier is essentially a wilderness Park and efforts are made to preserve its natural state, only a few roads penetrate the deep forests and canyons. However one of the main centers of activity conveniently accessible is the beautiful glacial Lake McDonald.

14 May 2023

WORCESTER

 At the entrance to the Hex River Valley, surrounded by mountains that are often snow-capped in winter. The main town of the fertile Breede River Valley, notable for the production of wine and food. Scenically beautiful, it lies on the main Johannesburg - Cape Town route. Worcester has done much to assist the handicapped, including the installation of traffic lights which emit audible signals.
The Worcester Museum, housed in three historic buildings, contains fascinating exhibits. Also of interest is the former home of the artist Hugo
Naudé, the old drostdy (magistrate's residence) with its fine Regency façade and the Karoo National Botanic Garden.
Hex River Pass 964m above sea level and built in 1875. A gateway to the Great Karoo, the road runs 10 km along the escarpment.

Worcester

 

06 May 2023

LABRADOR

 UNIQUE AND EXOTIC...

  
Labrador is the mainland portion of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is 300,000 square kilometers of trackless wilderness, and includes some of the most spectacular scenery in North America. From the peaceful fishing communities along the south coast to the sweeping panorama of the northern fjords, Labrador will delight, inspire, and enchant you! This land of boundless beauty and endless adventure. Anglers will think they're in heaven. Salmon, char, pike and other fish are big and plentiful. Here, where the world's largest herd of caribou roams. Only 30,000 people live in the area, so there's plenty of elbow room. Labrador remains a land of mystery and intrigue, a land that beckons adventurers. It remains as it has always been: a land where nature prevails.

 
Labrador

Labrador, Cape St. Charles
 
  

29 April 2023

DOVER

     The Gateway to England

 To millions of vacationers, Dover is no more than a large, workaday port below white cliffs which constitute an evocative first and last sight of Britain. While wartime bombs deprived the town of much charm, it has been the most significant cross-Channel port since Roman times and there are a number of interesting historical sights. Magnificent Dover Castle looks out to France, just 17 miles away and easily visible on a clear day. Its 12th-century keep is surrounded by Victorian barracks and ramparts. Within the castle walls is the shell of the pharos, a Roman lighthouse used as a bell tower.


Dover
 

Castle from Market Square * The Beach * The White Cliffs of Dover

 

Plunging hundreds of feet into the sea, Dover’s chalk-white cliffs are an inspirational site and a symbol of England. They stay white because of the natural process of erosion. Because of this, you must be cautious when walking along the cliffs — experts recommend staying at least 20 feet from the edge. Cliffs has 5 miles of walking trails with some spectacular views.

22 April 2023

HOT SPRINGS

 Hot Springs has always been a special place. President Andrew Jackson made Hot Springs the first Federal Reservation in 1832, the first piece of America protected for future generations. It is America's favorite spa, a world-famous resort built around the thermal waters. Surrounding Hot Springs like a jeweled necklace are five shimmering lakes with a wide range of experiences and atmospheres. From pristine mountain shoreline and crystal clear blue water to the excitement of water sports, lodging and restaurants in a high-energy environment. There is boating, touring, fishing, diving or just cruising around to see stunning homes or private islands. Hot Springs is a dream vacation for people who love history, natural beauty and lots of fun for everyone.

THERE IS NO OTHER PLACE SO UNIQUE AS HOT SPRINGS! 

Hot Springs

Hot Springs Lake Hamilton