The Trailfinder

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Lost in Contemplation by Pete Waters

Trailfi nders’ Pete Waters loses himself in reverie travelling on the iconic Blue Train from Cape Town to Pretoria.

It must take an extraordinary person to survive the frontier life, at the edge of humanity. Some are born to it, others are drawn – some by choice, others cajoled – but all are hardy.

A colourful cast of resourceful folk: dreamers, adventurers, entrepreneurs, writers and artists among them, are sprinkled across the scorched plains, remote valleys and distant dorps of the haunting landscape. The Last Frontier may no longer exist but The Great Karoo, South Africa’s huge expanse of apparently very little, probably comes close.

The Karoo is undeniably evocative yet its barren, seemingly endless panoramas and big skies ensure it’s not a place for wimps, unless, like me, you’re safely ensconced in your Blue Train cabin pondering the enormity of it all. Travel across Africa could never have been easier.

Only this morning had the train departed beautiful Cape Town and the serenity of the Cape Winelands was soon in sight. The hour or so spent picking our way past immaculate Cape Dutch homesteads and award winning vineyards had provided a delightful backdrop to an elaborate brunch.

But I’m somewhere altogether different now. The land here is harsh and signs of settlement are few and far between. Occasionally an old fashioned windmill punctuates the landscape as the slow turning blades lazily attempt to provide a distraction to the otherwise still scene outside. Perhaps there once stood a pioneer’s farmhouse?

Further along the track, we pass a rough patch of land acting as a makeshift football pitch. Intermittent rocks mark the playing fi eld, while crude wooden goalposts strain under the weight of a sagging crossbar. The small cluster of buildings – the only ones for miles around – casts a long shadow over the pitch and as the train passes gently by,

the players pause briefl y to wave. Whack! A robust tackle is made and life in the Karoo continues much as before. I muse; just where did all the players come from?

When it’s time to change for dinner, I retire to my luxurious wood panelled suite, replete with goose down pillows and a dedicated butler at my disposal. The contrasting scene outside is surely lost on none of my fellow passengers.

After a night on board this luxury train, we shall arrive in Pretoria but for now the sunlight is fading fast and before this evening’s banquet, I hurry to the Observation Car to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunsets I’ve ever seen.

A day that had begun in the shadows of Table Mountain was ending with a sunset almost ferocious in its intensity. But that wasn’t why I’d come. The subtleties and delicate nature of this land provide mystery, admiration and many questions. One day, I urge myself, I’ll be back to drive the empty, dusty roads myself and meet those that have made their home here.

Its dark outside now, the Karoo has revealed enough of herself for today and by daybreak we will have left her behind. Perhaps I have more in common with Karoo’s people than I thought; perhaps I’m a dreamer too? Perhaps we all are?

DISCOVER SOUTH AFRICAWITH TRAILFINDERS

Pete Waters Pete is our Global Touring & Rail Product Contractor, based in Kensington. His next adventure is a hiking trip in Patagonia.

Enjoy the changing scenery of South Africa aboard the elegant Blue Train on a Trailfi nders Multi Centre Holiday.

WESTERN CAPE & WILDERNESS BY LUXURY RAIL

9 days/8 nights from £2,359ppUK • Cape Town • The Blue Train • Pretoria

• Marakele NP • Johannesburg • UK

Including return fl ights, 7 nights 5� accommodation, 1 night on board The Blue Train in a De Luxe Suite

travelling from Cape Town to Pretoria, 4 days car hire, Cape Winelands tour, 6 game drives in Marakele NP, 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 afternoon tea & 4 dinners.

Save with Trailfi nders: Trailfi nders clients receive 1 free night on a B&B basis in Pretoria or Cape Town

including transfers to/from the train station.

Trailfi nders offers a range of rail journeys across the globe. A comfortable way to travel and a great way to enjoy the scenery, see page 37 for a range of iconic rail journeys, or call one of our expert consultants to discuss your next holiday.

For our full range of holidays in South Africa – ask for your copy of our Africa brochure.Call 020 7368 1502.

What we look for?In order to maintain our reputation as ‘The Travel Experts’ candidatesmust have:• A passionate interest in travel and an exceptional knowledge

of worldwide geography.• Extensive and recent fi rst hand travel experience, with particular

preference for travel experience within Australia & New Zealand, USA & Canada or Asia.

• The ability and desire to advise on, plan and sell travel to a wide client base whilst delivering unparallelled levels of customer service.

What we offerOur comprehensive training and competitive salary package are the best in the industry – after two years’ service you can expect to be earning in excess of £33,000 including a rewarding performance related incentive scheme.• Ongoing training and sales coaching• Performance related promotions• Opportunity to progress your career through specialisation• All management positions are fi lled internally• Excellent travel opportunities including educational/familiarisation trips• Generous leave allowance (up to six weeks)

For more information on working for Trailfi nders and our current recruitment requirements go to trailfi nders.com/jobs

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A Career with Trailfi nders – We are currently recruiting

THE TRAILFINDER

29TO BOOK, CALL 020 7368 1502 OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL TRAILFINDERS TRAVEL CENTREtrailfi nders.com

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