NEWSLETTER 20 February 2008
WEEKENDS AWAY TITBITS
I have only just surfaced to breath after a realllllly busy start to the year what with having to contend with power outages and generator quotes. Whilst experimenting with a generator, we had some equipment blow including our main server which gave us even more to pay attention to!!
Then there has been the interesting political scenario that we stepped into this year, which has meant that I have had to keep my husband’s takkies hidden as he has had moments where OR Tambo and the next plane out of here was more attractive than anything around us.
I am pleased to report that he has settled back into a comfortable space of enjoying the wonderful opportunities that this interesting country of ours continues to provide.
During those little challenges, it has been just as important to keep the focus on other business issues like driving sales after the holiday break to reach a hefty target for our financial year end.
I am pleased to report that this is our last week for this financial year end and the angels seem to be smiling on us.
So, besides a serious case of writers block, I have been genuinely sidetracked into not sending out this much overdue newsletter!
I am sure that you on the other hand have had a similar start to the year and that you have almost forgotten about your last holiday.
Let me share my experiences in Thailand with you and perhaps you might be tempted to get the boss to plan that as your next incentive destination.
We trekked through jungles on elephant back and climbed the third highest mountain in the country.
We meditated and spoke to tigers in temples and gave alms to monks -
We kayaked, cycled and river rafted ……
We dived and sailed in the Similan Islands and finally …
Exhausted after non stop physical adventure we settled onto the Island of Kho Tao and watched sunsets.
The long and short of this is that we know Thailand from top to bottom and will be able to assist you in putting together the most amazing incentive trip for your company. Thailand is an inexpensive destination and the Thai people are gentle, friendly and wonderful to spend time with.
With love until next time
The Weekends-Away team.
CORPORATE
I have found some delightful conference venues in Lesotho which is the area that I spent my childhood -
As a conference destination, it is not a far journey from Johannesburg and would make for a quiet getaway for some serious brain storming and strategy sessions.
The lodge is situated on the Khatse Dam which if is a must see at least once in this life time. The lodge is small, so the group should be no bigger than 80 sharing or 40 single.
Email me to book your next conference - jenny@weekends-away.com
TEAM-BUILDING ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK:
Book a cultural event from around the world for your next team build
Bavarian Olympics -
Added to the Olympics is a blend of freshly brewed German Beer, a German Oompah Band and some good old German Sausages
Scottish Highland Games
Test your strength with the Scottish Higland Games - learn to do the Scottish Sword Dance and enjoy some healthy Scottish Fare before or after the Games!
Email jenny@weekends-away.com to book for your next teambuild!
INCENTIVE
At 8pm on 8th August 2008, the Games of the XXIX Olympiad will be officially opened in Beijing in front of a global audience from over 140 countries.
With 35 sports, over 400 events, a TV audience of nearly 4 billion people and over 5000 athletes competing, the Olympics has become the greatest sporting event in the world.
From the track and field to the swimming, from the tennis to the beach volleyball, the Olympics really does offer you the opportunity to watch any number of sports over a short period of time, and this is an exclusive opportunity to be there to witness the greatest sporting spectacle on the planet.
Work towards the Beijing Olympics as a company incentive - I have no doubt that this will be one of the best Olympics the world has ever seen -
Email jenny@weekends-away.com for more info
ADVENTURE NEWS
The Similan Islands are commonly rated as one of the top 10 dive destinations in the world. The islands lie about 100 km Northwest of Phuket and were declared a National Park in 1982. The Similans are comprised of 9 granite islands which run roughly North to South and numerous small rock outcroppings, with white beaches and tropical jungle above the water and spectacular dive sites in warm, clear waters below the surface.
We met the most wonderful local dive aboard team in the Similan. One of the directors is the ex head of the Similan National Park and has 7 000 dives to his credit. If you have a group that would like to go diving, please contact us and we will assist you in putting your dive holiday together.
(Minimum group size 10)
COMPETITION
Win:
1 x 2 night stay for 2 people at Rhulani Safari Lodge - valid till 31st August.
Includes all meals, and 2 game activities daily. All extras and drinks for own account. This prize is not transferable.
Question: - What does the name “Rhulani” mean? They will have to look at the website for this. Website is www.madikwegamereserve.com
Please also refer to a friend - for each referral, you receive an additional entry -
Rhulani special offer for Feb and March:
R1950 pp sharing per night - nett rate
R1500 per child per night - nett rate
50% single supplement
Easter weekend - min 3 nights stay
Includes accommodation, all meals and 2 game activities. All extras and drinks for own account.
Activist Issues
The Elephant Killing Fields of Zimbabwe
A family holiday should not encompass the sights that we saw in Zimbabwe this last December. We decided to go north-west of Hwange National Park to Kazuma Pans after bitter disappointment in Hwange’s poorly maintained campsites with no electricity or running water, the relative exorbitant park fees, rangers openly drying game meat even in the public toilets and seeing nothing more than a few very skittish animals fleeing from the sounds of our vehicles. Sometimes the animals fled so fast that we were uncertain as to what it was we had seen “Was that a cheetah or a baboon?” one of the kids would ask. No one was certain.
We continued down the road, but within a short period you could smell the sweet stench of a carcass. Another elephant. This time it was more recent with most of the skin still intact, but again no tusks. The positioning of the twisted body looked peculiar with its head wrenched away from its body, its mouth gaping open as if calling out in pain. It was horrific and the children became quiet as the adults looked knowingly at each other. This elephant did not die naturally. For then we saw the bullet hole in this once majestic giant.
It was time to move on. As we turned the next corner, we all gasped as before us is a scene from “The Killing Fields”. In this green field of bush with young sprouting Mopani trees were twenty plus elephant carcasses and bones scattered everywhere. Lots of bones. Carcasses with beautiful yellow butterflies sitting on them. Added to the sweet decaying smell was an oily odour. The bones are blackened as if they have been burnt with diesel. Perhaps it is to discourage scavengers or else to hide the evidence. That distinct smell haunted us all for days after. Just how many dead elephants were there in this field? Who did this? The children stayed in the cars looking forlorn with tears falling and only a few of us had the courage to walk through the field.
To read the full horror of what is happening to Africa’s elephants in Zimbabwe see our website www.weekends-away.com
And visit these sites for more info.
www.swradioafrica.com/pages/shoot-to-kill.htm
To help in the fight contact Sara Webster 082 888 9689
Thought for the week
The habits of guessing and assumption can be like ferocious lions. So do not allow them to run wild.
Help keep our country and it’s cities tidy
A tidy city is the sign of a civilized society!