the bay magazine dec'14 - mar'15

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The Bay

bay magTHE

T H E Z U L U L A N D W A Y O F L I F E

plus Life empangeni + recipes + reviews & moreDec 2014 - Mar 2015 {issue 3}

Holiday Hangouts What to do this

summer in Zululand

Dance acaDeMy of distinction

Wildlife pHotograpHy

with nobby clark

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Exclusive to Midbay MotorsThe New Polo from R2449 pm

Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.25%.

Information subject to change without prior notification.

All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services.

Instalment does not include monthly administration fee of R57.

Volkswagen Financial Services - a division of Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

An Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider.

Terms and conditions apply.

Schemes also available on the following models:Polo Comfortline • Polo High Line manual • Polo High Line Auto

Model

Polo 1.2 TSI Trendline R194 500 R2 449* 72 7.96%* 10% R58 350 R255 480

VehiclePrice

MonthlyInstalment

Number ofInstalments

Interest Rate

Deposit BalloonPayment

Total Paymentexcl. Dep

Midbay Motors1 Cent CircleRichards BayTel: 035 789 1168Vehicle sales team: Celia Horn: 078 449 5646 | Cyril Mlaba: 073 800 5328

Gareth Clarke: 076 218 2449 | Justin Joseph: 082 451 0050 | Lucky Mdletshe: 084 409 9848

Matty Ndlovu : 073 360 2830 | Sam Mthethwa : 082 409 7759


The Bay

Contents

ReviewsRestauRant ReviewElephant and I

CaR Review

13

14

18

26

36

46

RegulaRs06

08

10

12

20

48

54

FeatuRes

gadgets and gizmosFor the non techno junkies and junkiesalike! What is new gadget wise

my townMeet the Bay’s Elaine Chetty

HigH soCiety soCial sCeneSpotted out and about in and aroundthe Bay

stuFF you sHould know

PHotogRaPHeRs PRoFileNobby Clarke

HealtH & Fitness

PRoPeRtySeeff KZN

Handling tHe Holidays Tips on staying sane this festive season

Business FeatuReMidbay Motors

a HosPital witH HeaRt Life Empangeni Garden Clinic

an outdooR aFFaiRChristmas in Zululand

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32

38

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Holiday Hangouts Where you wanna be this December!

a HosPital witH HeaRt Life Empangeni Garden Clinic

tHe danCe aCademy

a Holiday in tHailand

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While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents FabMags Publications cannot be held responsible for any omission or errors, or for any misfortune, injury or damages that may arise therefrom. TheBay is published by FabMags Publications, 104 San Hall Office Park, Kirsty Close, Ballito, South Africa 4418.

Copyright TheBay and FabMags Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or any part is prohibited without prior permission of the publisher. All products and services featured in this publication are subject to availability and are not stocked by FabMags Publications.

editor’s note

EDITOR

PUBLISHERLorinda Scott | [email protected]

EDITORJustin Scott | [email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGNDaniel Rambaly | [email protected] Ahrens | [email protected]

SALES Sharlene Odayar | [email protected] 761 3137Lucille Wendler | [email protected] 747 3694Kubashni Nagapah | [email protected] 534 5624Lorinda Scott | [email protected] 562 7202

IN HOUSE JOURNALIST Storm Catterick | [email protected]

CONTRIBUTORSRichard Webb, Charles White

ADMIN & ACCOUNTS Sharlene Odayar | [email protected]

OFFICE NUMBER032 946 3187032 946 0357

FAX NUMBER086 605 0098

[email protected]

EDITORIAL ADDRESS104 San Hall Office ParkKirsty Close | Ballito, KZN

PRINTINGDNA Print (Pty) Ltd.

FRONT COvERNobby Clarke | Nobby Clarke Photography

Holidays and Summer are, without a doubt, the best time of year by a mile. I don’t know about you, but I love the sunrises so early in the morning, the smell of suntan lotion, braais and fresh rain after a blistering day. I love slops, shorts, T-shirts and caps and driving with the window open because even the aircon in the car doesn’t seem to cool you down. I love long afternoons and late sunsets, where the day seems to run on forever before surrendering to warm nights with clear skies full of stars.

There is something special about this time of year, when we all seem to unwind a little, succumbing to the holidays which bring less stress, more time to find your sense of humour and personality that is so often lost somewhere and sometime during the year — and perhaps best of all is the opportunity to fall in love with our families again.

Holidays give us freedom. Freedom to find a reason to laugh from the belly. Freedom to fall asleep when the sun is still up and wake up when the sun has set. Freedom to read, to learn, to talk and to bond and not just connect. Freedom to reflect on a year past and opportunity that lies ahead.

Each year, as I prepare for the year ahead, filled with new opportunity, I use this time, my holiday time, to recharge my batteries. Somehow, by immersing myself in all that is great about this time of year, I find a deeper appreciation for the things that are important in my life and this helps to motivate me to be better and do better in the year ahead.

As we head off on our holiday, I want to thank you for all the support that you’ve shown us this year and I pray that you enjoy your summer and your holiday as much as I do, that you are able to use it to recharge and reinvigorate and that, as you enter the new year, it brings you all that you dream of and much, much more.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you again in 2015!

Justin and the FabMags Team

PS: Connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thebagmagkzn or on Twitter at @TheBayMagKZN

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THE BAY THE BAY

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THE BAY PHOTOGRAPHERS PROFILE PHOTOGRAPHERS PROFILE

PHOTOGRAPHER TO LOOK OUT FORLOCAL

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NOBBYCLARKEAs you might know, we are profiling one of Zululand’s most outstanding photographers in each edition of our magazine. Each of them is unique and different, but with one common underlying factor — they are all brilliant! In this edition, we are profiling Nobby Clarke, a photographer that we think you should consider when capturing that next special moment. He is no newbie to The Bay magazine — he supplied us with our last edition’s amazing front cover! Nobby not only has a brilliant eye for photography, but is a mentor for budding photographers in the area, always ready to share his knowledge and wisdom with those who share his love for photography. He is well-known in Richards Bay and Empangeni for his passion for photography and his obvious ability to move people with his work and infectious energy. Although his first love is wildlife photography, he is really just good at every facet of the art. With his belief that photographs allow us to see more than we ever could with only our eyes — and because life goes by so fast that preserving important moments keeps us from letting life pass us by — Nobby Clarke is this month’s local photographer to look out for!

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THE BAY THE BAY

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Phuket, Thailand really is a heaven away from home if you’re looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and experience a true holiday escape.

The island, located to the south of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, has the purest, whitest sand with see-through water lapping up onto sun-kissed beaches. Budget-wise, a trip to Thailand works, whether you’re a young couple heading off on honeymoon or a family looking to experience something new.

Heading out of King Shaka International Airport (Durban) saves you the grind of trekking off to Jo’burg before you even start your holiday and we loved the convenience of this when we were heading home, too. Our flying time was just over eight hours to Dubai and, as it was our first time stopping in Dubai, the lay-over flew past as we grabbed a little extra sleep in the Marhaba Lounge (thanks, Emirates!) and did loads of window-shopping. The next leg of the trip is a six-hour haul — enough time to grab a few movies before landing directly at Phuket International Airport. The excitement of being in a new place and being on holiday eases any frustrations that you think you may have going through passport control and customs and we moved quickly through arrivals and on to meet our hotel transfer, where we were met with a warm Phuket greeting.

The island has loads of possible places to stay at, but the most popular is the west coast where there are three bays strung together — Patong, Karon and Kata. We decided to stay at the Centara Hotel in Karon and make that our base for our eight days in Phuket. Again, if you’re a first-time visitor, deciding on a hotel and where to stay may seem daunting, but you quickly learn that it is easy to get to any part of the island and between the really super-efficient tour operators or the ‘party-style’ tuk-tuks, you don’t have to worry. We found that Karon and Kata are a little more laid-back than Patong, which is where nights come alive with a variety of shopping and entertainment options and having the option to zip between the three bays was great.

Our eight days in Phuket, before we headed off to Phi Phi Island (check out the next edition for Phi Phi), played out exactly as we had planned, full of activity and new experiences. Our very first night, literally just a few hours after we had landed, found us at a quaint Irish pub grabbing dinner and talking to the locals at around midnight. The time difference is something that had us sleeping late in the mornings (we still made it to breakfast) and pushing through to deep into the night — a good thing, since Phuket seems to really come alive in the late afternoon and at night.

Be ready to shop. Everywhere that we went there were markets where clothes and gadgets seem to be the major items on sale. The markets are clean and the traders are friendly and engaging and open to haggling — we quickly figured out who the best negotiator in the family was and could get the best prices! We also loved the fact that we could speak Afrikaans, even if not perfectly, to each other whilst trading, a nifty travel tip for Phuket. The Otop Market in Patong, which is one of the biggest on the west coast of Phuket, is a great mix of colour, vibe and energy, with rows of market shops and restaurants and we enjoyed an evening of super-hard shopping and great Thai cuisine, including our first Chang Beer experience.

Shopping and the time difference eventually catch up with you and that’s where the beaches in Phuket are amazing. You could spend all your time on the beach, soaking up the sun, but there is also loads to do when it comes to excursions and adventure. You can be adventurous and try to set up all your own day and night trips, but we found that using an experienced tour operator like TourEast is best. Our consultant booked a meeting with us at our hotel and took us through loads and loads of options, which would have been confusing without expert guidance. TourEast really helped and recommended tours that would give us a true Thai experience whilst also making sure that we were well looked after and had fun.

Travel Thailand

TRAVEL FEATURE TRAVEL FEATURE

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IN THIS EDITION DON’T MISS

Photographers Profile: Nobby Clarke featuring his very best work!

Travel Feature: The Scott family experience the wonders of Thailand!

www.facebook.com/thebaymagkzn

bay magTHE

T H E Z U L U L A N D W A Y O F L I F E


The Bay

6 December Meet our local heros & Guest artist Musa

Sukwene idols winner 2013 at House and

Home 1pm

1 - 24 December

Gift wrapping service

7 - 20 December

Photos with Santa and Little Hero’s

Inkwazi Kidz Corner outside Woolworths

10am-2pm

7 & 14 December

Happy Holiday Market Day outside entrance

4 from 9am-2pm

8 & 19 December

Dress up Selfie Corner area outside House

and Home 11am-1pm

9 & 18 December

#Festive Pick a Box competition

10am -12pm every half an hour

Outside Kits Photo

10 & 17 December

Santa workshop days outside House and

Home 10am - 12pm

12 December

Glow Fest from 6pm - 8pm outside entrance

4 with surprise guest DJ

13 December

Breakfast with Santa and senior citizens

outside House and Home 10am

15 December

Alta Music workshop outside

House and Home 11am-1pm

19 December

Drive-in Movie night from 6pm outside

entrance 4

21 – 24 December

Photos with Santa outside Kits Photo and

#Festive Give- Aways 10am - 2pm

11 DecemberBIANCA LE GRANGE

Guest artist 12pm-1pmoutside House and Home

20 December Entrance 4

Titan The Robot

@ the Mall

#LocalHeroes

6 DecemberSanta Launch 12pm outside

entrance 4

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LooftLighterThere’s a new tool on the market for the grillmaster who

wants a quick fire without the oily residue. It’s called the Looftlighter. Basically it’s a hair dryer on steroids

(and no, it’s not for your favorite campsite, unless it’s wired for 120 volts. Sorry.)

To get the charcoal glowing, pile it up in the center of your grill, plug in Looftlighter, point

it at the base of the pile and push the button. A muted whirring begins and hot air shoots out the

business end just like a hair dryer. Hold it close to the charcoal until you see some sparks, then slowly

pull it back and away.

Briquettes take a little longer than the wood charcoal, but you’ll have a glowing pile in minutes. Go about your business of making dinner and the

coals will likely be ready before you are.Price r599

GADGETS

GADGETSGIZMO’S The Phantom 2 Vision+ Quadcopter with Gimbal-Stabilized 14MP,

1080p Camera from DJI is based on the same air frame as the Phantom 2 and Phantom 2 Vision. Unlike its siblings, however, it features a 14 MP camera that is stabilized and controlled with an integrated 3-axis gimbal. Gimbal stabilization makes the Phantom 2 Vision+ ideal for shooting aerial footage and photos. The camera can take 14 MP, Adobe DNG RAW photos, and can record video in 1080p Full HD at 30 fps or 720p at 60 fps for creating slow motion effects.

The Phantom 2 Vision+ ships ready-to-fly, meaning that a radio controller-often referred to as a transmitter is included with it and is pre-bound to the aircraft and that only minimal assembly using common household tools is required. It features a 5,200 mAh battery that can sustain the quadcopter in the air for up to 25 minutes. The transmitter features a line-of-sight range of up to 600 meters, depending on conditions.

The camera is controlled via 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi using an app available for iOS and Android devices. Using the supplied mount, you can attach your smartphone directly to the controller, giving you a “heads up” display directly from the camera’s point-of-view. From the app you will also be able to start and stop video recording, take a snapshot and even tilt the camera up or down.Price r19 999

www.thegadgetshop.co.za

DJi Phantom 2 Vision+ Your Flying Camera!

Clocky gives you one chance to get up. But if you snooze, Clocky will jump off your nightstand and wheel around your room looking for a place to hide, beeping all the while. You’ll have to get out of bed to silence his alarm! Clocky is a very active timepiece, it can fall from a metre high and continue around the room, beeping itself silly, until you catch it. In fact, it’s all very cute, until you can’t catch it. To stop the ringing you have to get up and catch the running clock - after such an exercise, the very idea of going back to bed is impossible.

You can set Clocky to give you one snooze and then run away at the next alarm, or to turn off immediately (if you know, that for you, one snooze is one too many!). She also comes in a range of awesome colours.Price r 499

CLoCky

All gadgets sourced from The Gadget Shopwww.thegadgetshop.co.za


The Bay

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My TOWN

ELAINE CHETTyyou may know this friendly faced woman, as the incredibly talented and seasoned Licensee for Seeff Richards Bay - Elaine Chetty! Outside of her workaholic ways Elaine is a mother of two boys and a wife and has found that fundamental balance between both work and home life. She is the epitome of a hard worker and a fabulous leader to her team at Seeff and loves the community that she lives in. This is Elaine’s town and this is what she likes to do in it!

Where do you like to relax with the family on weekends? With me being in the market of selling homes, I have to admit, nothing beats the comfort of home sweet home! Family is by far the most important thing to me, and here we get to share a scrumptious home cooked meal together, catch up on our ‘life’ highlights of the week and just enjoy the company of our loved ones.

fave restaurant to have a romantic dinner with the hubby? Born and bred in Richards Bay, there’s quite a few places I appreciate in this town. But by far, we love a romantic evening at The Richards Hotel. The food is great and the atmosphere serene and intimate.

fave activity to do on the weekend in the bay? After a busy week at the office, my hubby and I enjoy taking the kids to the beach. We’re truly blessed here in Zululand with summer all year round, and the beach is the perfect spot to have a little fun as a family.

fave coffee shop to meet up with the girls and catch up? That’s an easy one! Elephant and I. Nothing beats their piping hot cappuccino and menu that makes your salivary glands do cartwheels! The atmosphere is also perfect for catching up with the girls.

fave spa? I love healthy, natural, glowing skin! Skin International is one of my beauty secrets. From massages, facials to mani’s and pedi’s this is my little heaven of relaxation and me time!

fave place to get out and

take a walk? The peer at

Alkanstrand! It’s the perfect

place to reflect on life,

take in the beauty of God’s

grandeur creations around

us and release the negative.

It’s therapeutic!


The Bay

Smart to casual in 18 seconds.The new Audi A3 Cabriolet. Starting from R 419 500.

The new Audi A3 Cabriolet has been elegantly engineered from the top down, combining the exhilaration of open top driving

with the sportiness of a coupe. Its graceful curves and bold Tornado line command attention at any speed, while the choice

of engines provide uncompromising power and e�ciency. And with an automatic hood that retracts in 18 seconds while

travelling up to 50 km/h, you can enjoy a more rewarding drive, whatever the weather.

Visit www.audimidbay.co.za for more information or to book a test drive.

*Vehicle shown may be fitted with optional equipment not available in South Africa.

Visit Audi Centre Richards Bay for more information or to book a test drive.Audi Centre Richards Bay. 100 Dollar Drive, Richards Bay. Tel: 035 789 1160

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BEEN SPOTTED?email us and

we’ll send you a complimentary

copy of your photo

HIGH SOciETYEVENTS AND HAPPENINGS In Zululand

HAVING A LAUNCH, EVENT OR SOMETHING SOCIAL YOU WANT US TO COVER? EMAIL US AT [email protected]

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the partyA spectacular performance by Anton Cawthorn- Blazeby legendary violinist & Zeerover well known Afrikaanse duo live at an intimate setting at the Elephant and I.

the people1. Back: Willem & René de Waal Front: Jean-Pierre Kruger, Angelique Strauss, Happiness Mkhwanazi, Mbali Mkhwanazi 2. Nadine & Ettienne Terblanche 3. Adrian, Monique, Marietjie& Pim Louw. 4. Storm Catterick & Craig Nel5. Meltus & Madelien Badenhorst 6. Mike Mattinson, Maryna & Willie Holder & Marian Mattison 7. Suzette Grobler, Hein Kuhnemund & Natasha Mathee 8. Nadine Page & Cher Lawrence

the highlightAnton’s flair and energy for Celtic influences had us witnessing something truly unique and special to Zululand and S.A. We also were treated to delicious platters provided by Elephant and I’s expert kitchen. A wonderful night was had by all and the support shown was impressive to say the least. Zeerover had people swaying along to their soulful tunes.

ElEphant and IlIvE musIc & dInnEr EvEnIng

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the partyA fantastic affair at the lovely Bay Shore Inn to celebrate their new function venues and packages that offer something truly unique and different to the area of which the hotel both caters and plans your stunning event!

the people9. Storm Catterick & Tenielle10. Khaya Buthelezi, Nozabela11. Lulu Cele & John Boughey12. Barbara & Peter Moscicki13. Kasia & Attie Schulze14. Tenielle & Michelle Galloway15. Joash Pillay & Odelia Nathaniel 16. Allison McFarlan, Karon McGarr & Natisha Makka

the highlightThe head chef Jonathan had a gastronomy of amazing finger foods on offer, just some of the things people can look forward to. With a DJ and some great wine at each table the dance floor and vibe was contagious. The hotel also graciously gave us a complimentary nights stay which really made us feel like we were on holiday. All in all a successful night at a great hotel.

thE BayshorE Inn masquEradE cocktaIl EvEnIng

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Great BritainAs soon as you think it couldn’t possibly get any weirder, we find that in Great Britain children are taught to send their letters to Father Christmas by throwing them into the back of the fireplace, hoping that the draft carries them up and on to the North Pole.

austriaInstead of a fat man in a red suit that gives children presents, in Austria, December is about frights. Young men walk about dressed up as the Krampus, a devil-demon creature equipped with cowbells and rods, which scares adults and children. Not my idea of welcoming the festive season and the birth of Jesus but, hey, to each his own!

Christmas around the worldChristmas is a major holiday that is celebrated worldwide but, although we all celebrate it for the same reason, we all do so in our own unique and — for some — strange ways. Because we live here, many of us think that Christmas is always celebrated in the way that we do it. We’ve done some research into Christmas, however, and we’ve gathered together some curious Christmas traditions from around the globe to tell you about.

CzeCh repuBliCEvery year on 4 December, women in the Czech Republic submerge a branch of a cherry tree under water. If it blooms before Christmas, they will be married during the next year. (No pressure then!) Another marriage-related Christmas tradition in the Czech Republic is that if a woman throws a shoe over her shoulder on Christmas Day and it falls pointing to the door, she will soon be wed — what these traditions have to do with Christmas, no one seems to know.

FranCe We are accustomed to finding our presents under Christmas trees — or even in stockings — but in France they like to do things a tad differently. Instead of our overpriced traditions, children in France put their shoes by the fireplace before they go to bed and Pere Noel (their Santa), fills them with presents. He also hangs small toys, nuts and fruit on the tree.

india In India, for those who do celebrate Christmas, the custom is to decorate banana or mango trees instead of pine trees. Some people even decorate their houses with mango leaves.

norway In Norway, families hide all the brooms on Christmas Eve to stop witches from playing mischievous tricks. There, tradition has it, witches roam the skies, along with other rascally spirits, on Christmas Eve. Since a witch's prime mode of transportation is a broomstick, families hide all their cleaning supplies, attached to sticks, to stop the witches from stealing them — makes perfect sense, doesn’t it!

The bay STuFF yOuR SHOuLD KNOW

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The BayFEATuRE

Let’s face it, no matter at what stage of your life you are, holidays and all the festivity that comes with them can be manic and mentally-draining,

especially if A: you are a mom and B: you have a house that can accommodate an absurd number of people! I am lucky in this as I have neither and yet I still feel the fatiguing effects of too much family for too long. Don’t get me wrong — I love my family but, come December, we become like overcooked rice that’s so stuck together and mushy that it may as well be mash! And with that come a lot of pointless arguments that really are so futile that they are forgotten an hour or two later.

But, with the negatives, there are some amazing positives that make you look back the following year and say to yourself for some unbelievable reason, ‘Yes, wasn’t that fun — we should do it again!’ Then, if you’re the mother with the big house and, with children being children (no matter how old, rich or poor), you find that, without fail, they are all only too eager to spend a few ‘free’ weeks at their

parents’ house. (Yes, I may well be talking from experience). And this comes as no surprise when you think of how much admin goes into hosting the festive season — from food to activities, that’s a lot of stress to bear on one’s shoulders! And, let’s be honest, during this period, most men know only two things — beer in one hand and braai tongs in the other (and sometimes this all happen whilst relaxing in the pool in the amazing Zululand sun)!

So, for all the moms out there who are as great as mine (yes, scored major brownie points there!), here are some helpful tips on handling these hair-tearing, wallet-emptying moments! Let’s start off with expectations — as it is said, if one never expects anything, one can never be disappointed. Understand that you can’t do everything! Make a priority list of the most important events and activities for you and your family and then pace yourself. Organize your time. Keep in mind that the holidays are looooong, so you don’t have to fit all the activities that you have planned into one day. Spread them out and you’ll also spread the stress out.

Handling the holidays!Instead of lavish meals every day, serve crackers and cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner. OK, not really, but plan the days so that every person in your family has a day to cook and buy what’s needed and you can sit back and sip a glass of wine like Lady Muck for once. Don’t think that you have to do something extravagant every day. Some of my best memories have been of sitting around the pool during the holidays, having a few drinks (of course) and catching up with my family and playing with my nieces. We are so fortunate to live in a place where there is so much to do that is virtually free! Manage your budget and manage your time!

Now for the real stresses — family squabbles. Remember that in essence you are putting a bunch of people that all lead different lives, have their own personalities and yet are all pretty similar because they share the same genes, into one house, so things are bound to go south at some point —especially after your fifth glass of wine during a game of 30 Seconds (never play 30 Seconds under the influence). All I can say is that everyone should remember to pause before they speak in retaliation and remember the bigger picture of why they have all come together. It should be a time of love, family and rejoicing as you share with your kids what you were lucky and privileged enough to experience when you were young! In the end, no matter how hard you think your life is, there are always other people who are less fortunate!

To all who are willingly going into the craziness of a family holiday, I wish you good luck and I wish you a blessed time because, through the squabbles, there will be some of the most cherished times in your life. Family is the link to our past and the bridge to our future and the best Christmas present worth cherishing!

Happy holidays, everyone!

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Midbay Motors Motor house of distinction

There are four key elements when it comes to achieving success in the automobile industry. first and foremost, you

need passionate people who believe in their product, then outstanding service that goes beyond what is the norm

and, lastly, community involvement. a good balance of these can turn a good dealership into a great one! Kenneth

Hodgons, co-owner of Midbay Motors in richards Bay, knows and understands this and his dealerships are a

testament to the effectiveness of these elements. Kenneth has been in the motor industry for his whole working life

and has worked for numerous high-profile dealerships all over KZn. But, once a Zululander always a Zululander!

We speak to Kenneth to find out more about his awesome brand that has not only stood the test of time, but grown

and flourished with it, and about family life in The Bay — this is what he had to say.

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BuSINESS FEATuRE


The BayBuSINESS FEATuRE

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tell us a bit about yourself and your business.I bought Midbay Motors from my dad roughly 10 years ago after he had been running it for over 40 years. When I took over the business, which was originally at 26 Dollar Drive, we decided to separate Audi, which is now the Audi Centre Richards Bay, and VW and, in doing that, built VW its own classy dealership, which is also the first CI complaint dealership here. We also took over the Citroen dealership, which is now housed in the original Midbay building. It’s been a tough and long road to get to where we are, but the growth of Midbay speaks for the success of the company.

to what do you attribute the success and growth of the business?We have a saying here which states that we are not here to sell you a vehicle, but that we are here to help you to find the vehicle of your dreams. We don’t want to just sell you a car and then wave you goodbye. We are also here to advise you financially and to help you make a smart decision that will benefit you in the long term. I also think that, because we do a lot for the community, the community in turn supports us as their first choice when looking to buy a new car. Also team work is key, All staff must be committed or we wont achieve our goal.

Community is key to any successful business, especially in small cities. in what ways do you get involved?We are involved with a number of different charities and make donations to a lot of the community’s cultural and sporting activities. We sponsor the local rugby team, and sponsor cricket and golf days around Zululand. We also support community clubs in the area. We’re all about uplifting the community — we can see that Richards Bay has great potential and it’s only going to get bigger and better in the future.

so, i take it that when you’re not working, you’re doing some sport or other. What’s


The Bay

your sporting cup of tea?I do everything really, from sea sports such as kite boarding, surfing, fishing and jet-skiing to land sports such as golf, running and cycling. My wife, my sister, her husband and I also take part in a lot of charity races.

you’re only one man — how does the running of the different dealerships work?As I said, it runs deep within the genes. My sister runs Citroen, my wife is responsible for Audi and I run Volkswagen. We’re one big, happy Midbay family.

the Bay area isn’t short of car dealerships, so what sets you guys apart from the rest?I think that it’s our real, open, honest attitude. We are aggressive with our pricing and customer care. If we have to deliver a car to Port Shepstone on a Saturday afternoon, that’s what we’ll do! Another thing is that we are all very hands-on and don’t sit on our thrones at the top just because we run the show. We work as hard, if not harder, than our staff and so teach by example.

What made you go into this type of business?With my dad having had this business for most of my childhood, I spent a lot of my time in the dealership learning the trade by example and learning to love cars. It’s in our blood as a family, I guess.

any achievements along the road?Along with the outstanding growth, we

have won numerous awards for our various dealerships. Over the years, we have won the Sewell’s Businessman of the Year award, the Best Practice Dealer for 2010, the VWSA Club of Excellence two years in a row, the VW parts award in 2013 , the Golden Circle award for both master cars and new vehicle sales manager, the esteemed Audi Silver Arrow award three times, the Best Financial and Insurance award and the Customer Centricity ward for driving customer delight.

What is the best piece of advice that you can give to people looking to buy a new car?First and foremost, be realistic as to how much you can afford and how much you want to spend. Why go and overspend on a fancy car that you will never be able to get out of?

What are some of the principles that you live and work by?I live every day for today and never have any regrets! Money is not the end result — success is! Be down to earth, never think you are better than someone else no matter what you have achieved.

What do you deem to be success?Money is just a by-product of success — success in itself is having a goal in mind and achieving it.

With every journey, especially in business, there are always challenges to be faced. What have some of yours been?Recessions are always hard for everyone in retail, especially if you are a big

QuiCkies Best piece of advice for your community?Support local businesses and keep our money growing in the town that you live in, because it’s the people who sell things to you that are eventually going to buy things from you.

favourite place to grab a bite to eat? Kasi in Meerensee — they make the best burgers in town.

business that has massive overheads, so the economy really affects you, but we just stay positive and keep enhancing our business.

tell us about your family life. My biggest mates are my family. I have two boys, a gorgeous wife and a happy life.

What keeps you in the Bay?I grew up here. Zululand is my home and offers me a lifestyle that you can’t beat. I love the fact that everything that I want to do, whether it’s with my family or not, is just five minutes away, if that, and that it’s free!

t: 035 789 1168 | W: www.midbay.co.za | a: 1 Cent Circle , Richards Bay

BuSINESS FEATuRE

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DIy FEATuRE

Tassel bracelets are easy to make and are very fashionable these days so, if you’re thinking of a nice gift for your friends, pick your favourite colour combinations, save some moola and try these out!

tooLs anD materiaLs:• Embroidery thread• Chain (long enough to go around your wrist)• Fold-over crimp ends• Jump-rings• Clasp• Earring wire (if making earrings)• Pliers and scissors

DirteCtions1. Wrap thread around your fingers several times to make

a bundle.2. Place one end of the bundle in the fold-over crimp end.

Use the pliers to close the crimp end.3. Trim the bundle and even out the ends.4. Attach the fold-over ends onto a jump-ring and add to

one end of the chain. Add the second jump-ring and clasp to the other end of the chain.

5. You can also string the tassels and jump-ring onto a necklace or attach to fine wires to make earrings. Have fun!

Tassel bracelets

DIYChristmas Gifts


The Bay

tooLs anD materiaLsGlass jars1 block of beeswax (I used 1 ½ blocks to make two candles)Wick• Pressed flowers or herbs (100 percent dry)Clean, empty tin can and a saucepan1 old paintbrush (that you can throw away afterwards)An old knifeCutting board

DireCtions1. On the cutting board, use the knife to chop the wax into smaller chunks that will fit into the

empty can.2. Place a few chunks of wax into the can (or double-boiler), place the can into the pot and add

5cm of water. Heat on medium until the wax is melted, then lower the temperature until the water calms to a simmer.

3. Dip the brush into the melted wax and apply the pressed flowers to the inside of the jar. Bear in mind that the flowers won’t stay completely put when you pour in the wax, but this will help them stay towards the outer edges.

4. To anchor the wick, dip the metal end of the wick into the melted wax and lower it to the bot-tom of the jar. The melted wax will make the wick adhere to the bottom.

5. As the wax melts, add more chunks until the can is nearly full. Once the wax is completely melted, use an oven mitt to very carefully remove the can from the water and slowly pour the wax into the jar. Depending on the size of your can, you will probably have to melt more wax. Repeat these steps until the jar is full.

6. To keep the wick from sinking, gently tie it around a pencil or chopstick. Allow the wax to cool completely. Trim the wick to ½cm before burning and always remember to keep the candle in sight while it’s lit.

BalliTOCAR REVIEW


Pressed herb candlesWith load-shedding always hitting us hard during the December period, one thing that you can never have enough of is candles! So this holiday why not make your own and share with all your friends?

Infused Olive OilStruggling to find a gift for mom? If she likes to cook, these homemade olive oils could be the way to go!

tooLs anD materiaLs• 1 tbsp red chili flakes• 1 to 2 whole, dried Thai chilies (• 1 cup olive oil• 500ml glass bottle with cork

DireCtions1. Pour chili flakes into your glass bottle. Set

aside.2. In a saucepan, heat olive oil until a few small

bubbles start forming. (If your oil starts smoking, take it off the stove and allow it to cool for 10 minutes.)

3. Carefully pour warm oil into the bottle over the chili flakes. Don’t overfill.

4. Cork the bottle and store in the refrigerator.5. Serve with bread, drizzled over salads, or in

everyday cooking.

Welcome to the bright side of Richards Bay

Stay 3 nightsStay 7 nights

R470 room only per nightR370 room only per night

Tel: 035 753 1246 | Fax: 035 753 2335Email: [email protected]

4 The Gully [off Hibberd Drive], Meerensee, Richards Bay

Specials valid from 1 November 2014 - 31 January 2015valid from Monday to Sunday

Conferencepackages

from R215per person

ChristmasDay Lunch

R200per person

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The bay PHOTOGRAPHERS PROFILE


The BayPHOTOGRAPHERS PROFILE

pHOTOgrapHEr TO lOOk OuT fOrLOCAL

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NOBBYClarkEas you might know, we are profiling one of Zululand’s most outstanding photographers in each edition of our magazine. each of them is unique and different, but with one common underlying factor — they are all brilliant! in this edition, we are profiling nobby clarke, a photographer that we think you should consider when capturing that next special moment. He is no newbie to The Bay magazine — he supplied us with our last edition’s amazing front cover! nobby not only has a brilliant eye for photography, but is a mentor for budding photographers in the area, always ready to share his knowledge and wisdom with those who share his love for photography. He is well-known in richards Bay and empangeni for his passion for photography and his obvious ability to move people with his work and infectious energy. although his first love is wildlife photography, he is really just good at every facet of the art. With his belief that photographs allow us to see more than we ever could with only our eyes — and because life goes by so fast that preserving important moments keeps us from letting life pass us by — nobby clarke is this month’s local photographer to look out for!

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tell us a little bit about yourself and your photography. I have lived in Empangeni for the past 20 years and during that time have rekindled my love for photography and nature by becoming a professional photographer, rather than just taking photographs as a hobby. I started in the early ‘70s by doing a few wedding shoots for family and progressed developing my own films in my home darkroom. I did not venture into any serious photography until three years ago, when my wife and I decided to visit the local Imfolozi Game Reserve, which turned out to be the start of my newfound passion for photography. I also have a home studio for photoshoots.

What or who got you started in photography and did you study? I have always been interested in

PHOTOGRAPHERS PROFILE

photography, but I have not had any formal training and am mainly self-taught. I have the honour of being vice-chairman of the local Beachcombers Photography Club, which holds monthly meetings. It’s a great club for people wanting to learn or wishing to venture into photography.

What gives you your ideas or inspires you to create your imagery?The one thing that really drives me is the feeling that life goes by so fast that we don’t see everything that’s there. I have always loved nature and wildlife and must say that photography has opened my eyes even more to the beauty that surrounds us. That beauty is there for us all to see, if we would only take the time to look for it — it’s very precious. I love capturing this beauty and sharing it with others.

how would you describe your style? Quote by Ansel Adams — ‘You don’t take a photograph, you make it’.

Composition is a key element of a good photo and I constantly seek images that convey a story.

What type of cameras do you shoot with?Majority rules, so I shoot with Canon. I have two Canon 7d cameras for taking photos in the game reserve, one with a Canon 100-400mm lens and the other attached to a wide angle Tamron 24-70mm lens for scenic shots. I am also fortunate enough to have been appointed as a Garmin VIRB ambassador and Garmin has given me the new VIRB action camera to test. I am also the local ClikElite SA Aambassador for ClikElite bags and Redged tripods.

tell us about some of your many accolades.In 2012, I won the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. My photographs have featured in the UK’s Photoplus magazine as well as the UK Daily Mail. My photos have also been


The Bay

Tel: 035 753 1111 | Fax: 035 753 2334Email: [email protected]

This hotel is situated just 90 minutes north of Durban in the heart of Zululand and is one of

the longest established and finest hotels in Richards Bay

Protea hotelthe richards

3 Hibberd Drive, Meerensee, Richards Bay

featured in Getaway, Go, SA Country Life, Africa Geographic and Drive Out magazine. Four of my photos appear in the 2014 DHL Africa calendar, with another to feature in the 2015 calendar. In July 2011, I won the Mazda Wildlife Competition as well as being a winner and a taking third place at the Rio Tinto/PMC Bird Photographic Competition on water birds.

Best piece of advice you have been given regarding photography?Take a lot of photos, be patient and never forget your camera batteries and cards!

fave place to shoot in Zululand? The Masinga hide in the Mkuze Game Reserve, as well as the Bhejani Hide in the Imfolozi Game Reserve.

Destination you’ve always wanted to shoot at?The Mana Pools National Park on the Zambezi River, as well as in Namibia.

What do you think is the trickiest thing to photograph?Weddings! Today everybody has a cell phone with a camera and trying to get a clear shot of the bridal couple without having an aspiring photographer with a cell phone getting in the way is a challenge.

What, to you your mind, makes a brilliant photo?A brilliant photo is one that has the ability to communicate with the viewer — one that captures emotion and tells a story.

Facebook: Photography.by.Nobby | 500px.com: NobbysphotographyFlickr: 55214652@N05 | Outdoorphoto:gallery/showgallery

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quality care 24/7

Our Care Centre is a supportive and welcoming place that

provides affordable daily and long-term comfort during

rehabilitation, illness and post-hospitalisation. Situated within

the Lakeside Retirement Village, the centre’s fully-qualified

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therapy exercises all year round.

Facilities:

• ASSISTED LIVING

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• CLOSE PROXIMITY TO HOSPITALS

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• TELEVISION

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The Lakeside24-hour Care Centre

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL ROBIN ON 072 279 7535 OR ELIZE ON 082 330 2664 | TEL 032 525 4404 | FAX 032 525 4403

6010_mzingazi_RIGHTPAGE.indd 1 2014/10/27 3:15 PM


The Bay

M Z I N G A Z I G O L F E S TAT E R I C H A R D S B AY, K Z N

Now you can retire with all the care in the world

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Introducing a sectional title retirement opportunity

located in a peaceful and secure environment. Each

luxury unit comprises 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,

private garden and double garage. While at the Care

Centre fully qualified nursing staff are on hand to

provide 24-hour medical assistance.

At Lakeside Retirement Village, it’s all taken care of.

Care Center facilities:

• Assisted living

• Care for the elderly and frail

• Post hospitalisation care

• 24-Hour care

• Fully qualified nursing staff

• Affordable daily and long-term facilities

• 3 Meals per day

• Visitors lounge

• Wheelchair friendly environment

• Close proximity to hospitals

• Full cleaning and laundry service

• General health monitoring and

administration of medicines

6010_mzingazi.indd 1 2014/10/27 3:13 PM

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christmas doesn’t always have to be a formal indoors affair and, with our summer nights, the perfect

place to be is outside in the garden or on the patio — just make sure that you have some decent

mozzie repellent!. if you decide on the daring change from indoors to outdoors, why don’t you also

change the usual traditional feast of gammon, turkey and lamb to just one simple, but delicious,

stuffed turkey? as well, of course, there’s nothing like an ice-cold cocktail by the pool. Pair that with

some creativity and dress your christmas table to suit your theme and of, course, why not try for a relaxed beach themed

christmas and what’s great is that most of the decor can be found literally in our backyards. Pam nel kindly did up this

table for us to photograph of what i will luckily enough be experiencing this christmas!!! Let’s hope all of you have a

‘mother in law’ that is as creative as i do...

An outdoor affair

Christmas in zululand

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FEATuREThe bay


The Bay

Pecan and figstuffed turkey breast• 2 tablespoons olive oil• 1 brown onion, finely chopped• 2 garlic cloves, crushed• 1 cup (150g) chopped dried figs• 2 tablespoons brandy• 2 cups (140g) fresh breadcrumbs (made from day-old bread such

as sourdough)• 1/2 cup (70g) pecans, coarsely chopped• 1 (about 2kg) turkey breast fillet• 1 cup (250ml) Campbell's Real Chicken Stock• 1/2 cup (125ml) dry white wine• 10g butter• 2 tablespoons plain flour

step 1: Preheat oven to 200°C. Heat half the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, for five minutes or until onion softens. Add figs and brandy, stirring, for one minute or until figs soften. Transfer to a bowl. Add breadcrumbs and pecans and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

step 2: Place turkey, skin-side down, on a clean work surface. Open the tenderloin so that the breast lies flat. Use a knife to slice from the centre of the breast outwards; don't cut all the way through. Repeat with opposite side. Open breast out so it lies flat. Spoon stuffing down the centre of the turkey. Fold in sides to enclose filling. Use kitchen string to tie at 2cm intervals to secure.

step 3: Place a wire rack in the bottom of a roasting pan. Place turkey on the rack. Brush with remaining oil; season with salt and pepper. Pour stock and wine in pan. Roast in oven, occasionally

Serve your stuffed turkey with roast potatoes and veg or change it up with sesame and garlic baked potatoes and grilled asparagus...

simple but, oh, so effective, and it doesn’t have you slaving away in the kitchen for the whole day!

brushing with pan juices, for one and a half hours, or until juices run clear when turkey is pierced in the thickest part. Remove from oven. Cover with foil. Set aside for 15 minutes to rest.

step 4: Strain pan juices into a jug. Heat butter in roasting pan over medium heat until foaming. Add flour, stirring with a wooden spoon to dislodge baked-on juices, for two minutes or until lightly golden. Add pan juices; cook, stirring, for five minutes or until it boils and thickens. Remove from heat.

step 5: Place turkey on a serving platter and remove the kitchen

string. Cut into slices and serve with the gravy.

Cherry Gin SpritzerCoCktaiL

Citron Long Board• 2 parts ABSOLUT® Citron Vodka• 1 part Hiram Walker® Triple Sec• 1 part Cranberry Juice

Fill a chilled highball glass with ice cubes. Add ABSOLUT Citron and triple sec. Top-up with cranberry juice. Garnish with lime.

If gin is your alcoholic beverage of choice, you’ll love this refreshing cocktail with a sweet cherry flavour. You’ll need:

• 2 fluid ounces of gin (per cocktail)• 2 tablespoons fresh cherries• ½ cup ginger ale• sliced limes (for garnish)

Muddle cherries at the bottom of a glass and add the ginger ale. Pour in the gin and add a slice of lime to the glass before serving.

FEATuRE

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FEATuRE

come January, with the freedom of the holidays coming to an end, i often wish that i had done more

during my days off — things that i wouldn’t normally do… adventures, activities or just catching up

on some hobbies. Living in the place that we do, with so much right on our doorstep, there really

is no reason to ever be bored. rather than sitting around wondering what to do, get busy and use

this time to do one of the things that you've always meant to do. for your convenience we have put

everything that is fun, awesome and also family-friendly onto one list that guarantees you an activity-laden holiday.

Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation CentreThe Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre is a great place to get out to and you can also get up close and personal with some of South Africa’s endangered — and mesmerizingly beautiful — cat species. Located in Hluluwe, at the Emdoneni Lodge, the tour offers guests not only a chance to learn more about the different cat species, but also to photograph personal interactions and be captivated by the power and beauty of the Caracal (Lynx), Serval, Cheetah and

African Wild Cat. The aim of the Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre is to care for any of these endangered animals which have been orphaned or injured in the wild and are in need of care and rehabilitation. With daily educational tours, plus feedings during the afternoon tour, as well as informative talks about the animals and the project given by an experienced guide, it is something that you should experience at least once in your life — and, best of all it’s just up the road.035 562-7000 / 7001 | 082 713-3686

Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk The aerial boardwalk in the Dlinza Forest shows this remarkable forest and its verdant greenery off to perfection. The boardwalk extends some 127 metres and is perched 10 metres above the forest floor, making it a spectacular walk with loads to see. The walk culminates at a steel viewing platform, which is a breath-taking 20 metres high, giving visitors a panoramic view of the fauna and flora that is found in the area. There are several different trail options to allow you to get in touch with nature — the Impunzi Trail (kilometre long), the Unkonka Trail (1.8 kilometres) and Bishop’s Seat, which is a lovely clearing in the heart of the forest, where bird viewing is said to be phenomenal. This abundance and diversity makes the Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk the perfect attraction for families and friends, young and old.035 474-4029

Bivane DamThe breath-taking vistas of the Bivane Dam have ensured that this holiday hot spot remains a popular destination for families, friends and couples to visit. The dam lies on the Bivane River between Pongola and Vryheid. It covers 700 hectares and is fabulous for all water sports. Other popular activities in the area include 4 x 4 trails, quad biking, mountain biking and hiking. Because the birdlife in this area is so prolific, it is also a great attraction for birdwatchers.

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Holiday Hangouts!


The BayFEATuRE


Bhangazi Horse Safaris St luciaWhat better way to spend a sunny day than by taking a horse ride along the Iphiva Beach on the northern end of St Lucia. With kilometres of clean white sand and the Indian Ocean rolling in alongside you, it is the experience of a lifetime. During the whale season (May to November), humpback whales are often seen breaching out in the deeper water on their way to the breeding grounds in Mozambique. During the rest of the year, one can delight in watching dolphins playing in the surf, or you can just simply take in the amazing views along the beach.

083 792 7899

Day Cruise aboard ShayamanziEnjoy a day or even a weekend cruise aboard the Shayamanzi. Relax in the Jacuzzi, fish or view game from her tender boats and enjoy the breeze from her elevated decks — it’s all about taking time out to appreciate the wonders of Africa. The Shayamanzi leaves the jetty in the northern part of Lake Jozini, where the Pongola River enters the lake, where the shore abounds with herds of elephant, zebra, wildebeest and impala — it’s a new way to view game both from land and in the water, where crocs and hippos thrive. You can also see many other species, including warthog, giraffe, kudu, nyala, white rhino, and buffalo, to name a few. The cost includes a buffet luncheon, dessert, bar snacks, tea and coffee. (There is a cash bar on board). Enjoy calm serenity on the water, or go for the thrill of angling for Tiger fish as the whining of your reel breaks the silence and your fishing rod is bent to its limit.

034 413-2299 | www.shayamanzi.co.za

Made on Saturday Made on Saturday is a fun, fresh and funky market with one simple rule … nothing from factories or shops allowed, so that you know that everything that you stumble across is freshly-picked, homemade or handcrafted.

You can select some fabulously ripe tomatoes, brightly-coloured peppers and crunchy lettuce for a sumptuous salad. Home-grown beans, cabbage and rhubarb from the local area are also a great choice.

And don’t forget the baked goods! Koeksisters, magnificent muffins in a variety of flavours and homemade bread are just some of the items that you simply must get. This fresh market takes place every Saturday, so get out and see what other towns have to offer.

035 474-1681

Amatikulu Prawn Shak Whether it’s a visit with family or a crowd of friends, or a stop-over on an off-road bike ride, the Prawn Shak never fails to impress with both its food and its awesome Mozambique-inspired drinks. Enjoy an eight-course meal amongst the sand dunes, far from the maddening crowd, or enjoy a walk down to the Amatikulu Beach for a quick dip. Or just enjoy a few cocktails and their signature tequila with live shrimp — it’s a unique experience in a stunning venue. Bookings are essential if you are planning to enjoy the full eight-course experience.

083 303 4746 | www.shak.co.za

ELEPHANT INTERACTIONAt Bayete Zulu you can enjoy an up close and personal meeting with Rambo, Rachel and Jabulani, its habituated elephants. One of the knowledgeable rangers will talk you through Rambo and Rachel’s history and provide you with interesting facts about elephants.

You will be given an opportunity to feed Rambo and Rachel, as well as to touch Rambo’s ears, behind his tusks, between his front legs, and even get to feel his tongue!

Please book ahead so that you are not disappointed!

035 595 8089 | www.bayetezulu.co.za

Sodwana Bay adventuresDiscover first-hand the amazing reefs of Sodwana Bay from the best vantage point — in the water. These reefs owe their existence to the clear, warm water carried southward by the subtropical Agulhas Current and the absence of silt-carrying rivers

discharging into the region. View over 1,200 species of fish, including ragged tooth sharks, whale sharks, tiger sharks, manta rays and giant morays. Resident reef fish include tiger rock cods, rubber lips and huge potato bass. There are a plethora of different dive centres in the area that offer top-notch professional service. Some of these are Coral Divers, Trition Diving and Pisces Diving.

http://www.coraldivers.co.za | http://www.tritondiving.co.za

http://www.piscesdiving.co.za

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Club VentureAlthough it’s not technically in Zululand, Club Venture is an awesome place for friends or families to go adventuring for the day. You simply have to try the 1.5-kilometre Zipline Tour. Guides will strap you into your harness, give you a briefing and then accompany your group while you get a bird's eye view of your surroundings. On this eco-adventure you slide along steel zipline cables from platform to platform across the Sampoya River. You can also enjoy a leisurely nature walk to the top of the cliff where you will be introduced to the first-in-the-world, all-new Parazip. Here you can pause for a moment to take in the view before you slide along a 400-metre cable from the top of the mountain as you enjoy the views of the lush surroundings. Perhaps the best part of this is that, attached to a parachute, the Parazip allows you to experience the feeling of parachuting down from the mountain whilst you are safely attached to the zipline. What could be more fun? There are also group activities, such as the Amazing Race, where you run through the forest deciphering clues, walking across streams and overcoming challenges! For adrenaline junkies, there is also Paintball and an obstacle course on offer. The tour includes two beverages and a certificate on completion.

Call +27 (0)32 942-8014 or +27 (0)82 414-2448

Dayspring Animal Farm Dayspring is a lovely animal farm set amongst the beautiful cane fields and gum-tree plantations of KZN. It's a venue for the whole family to enjoy and experience interacting with farmyard animals. What better way could there be to entertain your kids than by letting them feed the pigs, play with the bunnies, ride ponies — or even a camel — whilst you get to relax and have a cuppa at the tea garden.

035 792 0045

Golfing up a storm I’m not the most amazing golfer — I’m possibly the worst — but when it comes to an afternoon activity that gets the muscles working, my dad says that golf is the winning choice, come rain or shine — if you are a diehard golfer nothing can get in the way! Luckily for you diehards, there are a number of really good courses in the area. Being a ’Zini girl, I’ll start with the most obvious, the Mtunzini Country Club, an 18-hole course that offers an unblemished view of the ocean and lagoon. Then there is the Richards Bay Country Club, situated along the shores of the beautiful Lake Mzingazi. This par-71 golf course, co-designed by Gary Player, is said to have one of the most scenic and challenging layouts in Zululand. The Monzi Golf Course is one of the best courses in the area, as well as being third best in S.A. This nine-hole course, with 18 tee boxes, is surrounded by a series of dams and lush vegetation, ensuring that you have a scenic game.

Reptile City Situated in the quaint village of Mposa, just north of Richards Bay, is every young boy’s dream day-getaway, Reptile City, which is also a fantastic family attraction. This sanctuary for the creepy, slithery and slimy offers visitors a close-up look at crocodiles, snakes, lizards and many more intriguing reptiles. Not only is it fun for the kids, but also extremely educational and sure to keep their brains stimulated during the holidays.

083 417 1214

FEATuRE


The BayTRAvEL REvIEW bayThe Bay

Eco-conscious Security Estate

Conservation Area within the Estate

6km of Walking, Cycling and Running Tracks

Abundant Bird Life and Small Game

252 Large > 1400m2 Individual Stands

Completed Town House Complex of 54 Sectional Title Units

Shea Franks • 082 887 4285 • [email protected]

www.ziniriverestate.co.za

AN EXPRESSION OF STYLE NESTLED IN NATURE

ZINI RIVER ESTATE• Well established Eco-

Concious Security Estate• Large Conservation Areas• 6kms of Walking, Cycling

and Running Tracks• River Access for Fishing

and Canoeing• Abundant Bird Life and

Small Game• 252 large > 1400m2

individual Freehold Stands

ILIZA BAY• Completed Town House

Complex of 54 Sectional Title Units

CONTACTSHEA FRANKS082 887 4285035 340 [email protected]

AN EXPRESSION OF STYLE NESTLED IN NATURE

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A Hospital with

a trip to hospital is, in the majority of cases, not a happy event, so the look and feel of a hospital should give a patient or visitor a sense of wellbeing and comfort and this can

only be imparted by the sort of service that you receive and the environment in which you find yourself.

The Life Empangeni Garden Clinic — one of the oldest of the few hospitals in the Zululand area, providing exceptional health care to people in need for going on 18 years — has undergone a rather well-equipped change for the better. Since becoming a member of Life Healthcare, one of the largest private hospital groups in South Africa, the Life Empangeni Garden Clinic has achieved significant growth and also been able to expand the hospital and give the existing wards a bit of TLC. Since 2007, the hospital has gone through various stages of a revamp and upgrade on its way to a bigger, better, brighter future for this community-driven hospital.

New beds have been added and new wards created to satisfy the growing demand. The ICU has been modernised by the addition of top-of-the-range equipment where needed. It has also been transformed into an altogether more modern-looking and smarter ward and a reception area and resuscitation bay have been introduced to the casualty ward. Also upgraded were the day ward and the recovery room, theatres, maternity ward, post-natal and labour wards.

Once this had been done, the general public areas, starting with the bathrooms, passages and ceilings were given a face-lift to ensure that look of the hospital matches the care you will receive — after all, if your environment looks pleasant, the perception of the care given is going to be a positive one. The revamp is also sure to increase the morale of the staff — if you are proud of the place where you work and are happy to come to work, your positivity rubs off on your patients and you tend to work harder.

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Much has already been done, but there are plans for still more improvements, such as the upgrading of the paediatric ward and theatre. With so much going on and the possibility of still more growth, which will add more beds and even wards, the current parking situation is now a top priority and next year the hospital will be adding a parking deck with an additional 65 bays, which should eliminate congestion problems.

The entire look and feel of the hospital is brighter, airier and a lot more modern and the impression that you get when you come in is that it’s clean and hygienic without being too sterile and it’s very welcoming. When you’re a patient, the

things that — apart from great health care — are the most important to you are what your environment looks like, what the facilities that you are using seem like and how these make you feel because, in the end, your surroundings and your comfort has a direct effect on your recovery.

In addition to the aesthetics of the building, the hospital also makes sure that the quality of service is of the highest standard, running an ongoing quality assessment programme to ensure that all the elements that make for a more efficient and professional hospital are in place, so that people are happy to go there when they need to.

With over 20 specialists under one roof, patients come to this hospital from as far afield as Pongola, Paul Pietersberg and Vryheid — and the list goes on. As well the facilities and the care given, the hospital is also very aware of its position within the community and makes it its mission to give back and strengthen community upliftment. One such project is the Sizanani Community Programme. Sizanani means ‘helping each other’, which is exactly what the hospital does. The programme is focused on children and supporting children in need within the community. So far the hospital has donated and set up JoJo tanks at a local primary school, fixed their ablution block,


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put up a jungle gym and helped start a veggie garden, as well as throwing a couple of Christmas parties for the kids. It also supports Life Line’s Cabanga Club, which provides sanitary towels for high school girls in need and is involved with an after-school centre for teens, supporting them with health education. Open days are held where people can get their blood pressure and blood glucose checked free of charge as part of an initiative to create a healthier community. The hospital has also supported the Santa Shoebox project for the past two years and has recently adopted Bevies Care Centre in Eshowe, helping it to obtain items that they need. The fundraising project for cancer called ‘Cuppa for Cancer’ is another project

which it supports and cancer education talks are also arranged. The hospital also supports Thuthukani Special School and provides on the job training for 3 scholars every Wednesday in laundry, maintenance and cleaning department.

With its high calibre healthcare and genuine interest in helping the community from the inside of the hospital to the outside, the combination of quality of care and more personal service has set this intimate and almost country-style hospital apart. The constant striving to not only improve its facilities, standards and technology makes this a hospital worth a visit!

T: 07 35 902 8168 | A: Cnr Biyela & Ukulu Streets, Empangeni, 3880W: www.lifehealthcare.co.za

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fan, you can always for it to be taken out or served on the side, but I think that it gives this creamy, decadent dish a bite that sets it apart from other similar pastas.

Other dishes ordered that we were told were must-tries were the specials of the day, one of which was the Mutton Curry Pot Pie with chips and, wait for it .... gravy. This

Where cOmfOrT and fIne DInIng meet

is Irish pub grub made to perfection and comes in a decent-sized portion of saucy mutton curry topped with light and fluffy pastry — put a beer with that and it is the ultimate man’s meal … on steroids! If it’s on the Specials Board, don’t pass it up! Another was their regular Sunday Roast Special, consisting of slices of roast lamb with rice, gravy, butternut and creamed spinach. This is really what my boyfriend wishes he could have at home! The last dish selected was a local favourite, a Lamb Pita Wrap. This is a good-size portion for those who are only now getting worried about the bikini season. It consists of a pita filled with hummus, diced tomato, peppers, onions and roast lamb covered with a Tzatziki sauce, served with French fries or a salad — it’s a dish where nothing gets left on your plate! For dessert we couldn’t resist the Mozart Cake — it’s sinful and so indulgent — and, new on the menu, the Nutella Cheese Cake with Chocolate Shavings — bliss!

Over the last 20 years the Elephant & I has built a reputation of excellence, as the large regular following attests to. It is ideal for professionals who want to catch up on correspondence (with free wifi to customers), and just as perfect for a business or social gathering or just some “me time”.

We had an amazing time in a place that allows you to catch up with friends, eat outstanding food made with passion and receive truly great service. There’s nothing that I could possibly say that should be improved, because they have nailed the recipe for what makes an extremely successful restaurant — consistency and longevity. All that I can say is that every visit to the Elephant and I is never ordinary, but rather gastronomically extraordinary, and one that keeps you coming back for more.

T: 035 789 7269 | A Shop L21 Boardwalk Inkwazi Mall, Krugerrand, Richards Bay

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growing up in Mtunzini was, to say the least, quiet, especially in the old days, so a visit to Richards Bay (the ‘Big City’ to us) to go and watch a movie

and have a plethora of restaurants to choose from was like Christmas come early for most of us. One of my favourite restaurants to visit as a youngster that has stood the test of time and seems to get even better as the years go by, is the legendary Elephant and I. We recently had the opportunity to do a review of this well-known and beloved restaurant and, even though we are the ultimate E & I regulars, a visit there - with a new menu to choose from - is still a delight to all your senses. I love the setting, look and feel of the restaurant, with its warm and welcoming inside seating, with the most stunning elephant pictures adorning the walls, plus the outside seating which allows for some great people-watching (don’t lie, we all do it!) and the bathrooms — yes, weird to talk about, but they’re awesome and clean and, and, and … which is unusual and hard to come by these days!

While this restaurant is no newbie to The Bay — it was established in 1994 as one of the original Boardwalk restaurants — the owners, Willem and René, who joined the Elephant and I family in early 2008, have been running it flawlessly on their own since 2010, making it the spot for any occasion, whether it be work or casual.

After a massive debate around our table of four as to who was to have what, I was lucky enough to land the Chicken, Bacon and Chilli Pasta — for anyone who hasn’t eaten this pasta, you really won’t understand how much of a win this was for me! It consists of chicken cubes grilled with bacon, fresh chillies feta cheese and a dash of cream, coated with basil pesto and served with pasta. If you aren’t a chilli

RESTAuRANT REvIEW

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FEATuRE


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The Dance Academya community and a family

Dance Academy is an Empangeni school of dance school which was originally started by the late Carolyn Frara and which has been running for over 30 years. Carolyn was an extremely hard-working and

inspirational teacher and it has been said of her that she built a community in her dancing studio and that everyone who came to a class felt part of that family.

Dancing is an incredible form of exercise. Anyone can do it and it always makes you feel better about yourself. Carolyn encouraged her pupils to be creative and she instilled confidence about themselves and their bodies, whatever shape or size, into them. Dance teaches children to push themselves individually, as well as to encourage and motivate each other in their group classes. She also encouraged her pupils to pursue careers in dancing professionally or become qualified teachers.

Many of Dance Academy’s pupils have gone on to dance professionally. One of them, Nardus Coetzee, is a dancer and choreographer at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Since he left to chase his dream, he has returned to Dance Academy to share his knowledge and teach classes whenever possible. Kate Webster owns her own ballet studio in London, Diana Ocholla runs a dance studio in Cape Town and comes back to Dance Academy twice a year to conduct seminars for the pupils. Hayley De Jager owns her own Studio in Kloof, which is affiliated to Dance Academy Empangeni. Currently, dancer and choreographer, Belinda Sussman, is studying towards her degree in Dance and Drama at the Waterfront School of Arts in Cape Town.

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After the tragic passing of Carolyn in April 2013, those connected to the Academy came together and decided that there was no way that they would allow the school to close. In Carolyn’s own words, ‘The show must go on’. And so it came to be that Kim van der Merwe took over the Academy. Kim began dance classes with Carolyn when her family moved to Empangeni from Durban and she spent every minute that she could in the studio. Carolyn ignited a passion for teaching and working with children in her. She was a brilliant mentor and role model and, with her encouragement, Kim studied for her teaching qualification and started her own studio in Richards Bay. When Carolyn passed away, the two schools were combined into one Academy in Empangeni and Kim’s sister, Michelle, returned to Empangeni to assist with the Academy, as did former student and choreographer, Belinda Sussman.

Together they have kept Carolyn’s dream alive and the Dance Academy recently presented one of the best year-end shows ever. Today, Dance Academy is still going strong, keeping Carolyn’s legacy alive by always striving to be the best dancer, best teacher and best person that each person can be Kim is extremely grateful for the way in which the pupils have embraced her during this very difficult transition and she knows that she is responsible for the future success of the Academy and of her pupils.

One of her main goals is to keep the Academy involved in the community. She believes that in order to stay a ‘family’, the girls need to participate in events together as a family and to give back

where possible. Dance Academy offers assistance to local charities by sponsoring their performances at fundraising events such as the RBCT Charity Relay, Dice Masterchef and the SPCA and East Coast Radio’s BIG Walk.

If you speak to any of the pupils at Dance Academy, they will tell you that they will take ‘any chance to dance’. Kim encourages the senior pupils to take the juniors under their wing, to inspire and lead them, not only with regard to dancing, but in life in general. Every little girl needs to feel that she is loved and to have someone to look up to. Dance Academy is also very proud that some of the senior students have been selected to dance in

next year’s international production of Spartacus, which will run during the 2015 July school holidays.

The past 18 months have been very difficult for the studio, teachers and pupils following the loss of their greatest inspiration, mentor and an incredible teacher. But, because they are a family, they have stuck together and have grown stronger.

In January 2015, Dance Academy will be re-opening the Richards Bay studio, which will be run by Michelle van der Merwe, and they are very excited about what the future holds.

T: 083 254 4401 | E: [email protected] | A: Moth Hall, Baines Rd, Empangeni

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travel Thailand

TRAvEL FEATuRE


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Phuket, Thailand really is a heaven away from home if you’re looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and experience a true holiday escape.

The island, located to the south of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, has the purest, whitest sand with see-through water lapping up onto sun-kissed beaches. Budget-wise, a trip to Thailand works, whether you’re a young couple heading off on honeymoon or a family looking to experience something new.

Heading out of King Shaka International Airport (Durban) saves you the grind of trekking off to Jo’burg before you even start your holiday and we loved the convenience of this when we were heading home, too. Our flying time was just over eight hours to Dubai and, as it was our first time stopping in Dubai, the lay-over flew past as we grabbed a little extra sleep in the Marhaba Lounge (thanks, Emirates!) and did loads of window-shopping. The next leg of the trip is a six-hour haul — enough time to grab a few movies before landing directly at Phuket International Airport. The excitement of being in a new place and being on holiday eases any frustrations that you think you may have going through passport control and customs and we moved quickly through arrivals and on to meet our hotel transfer, where we were met with a warm Phuket greeting.

The island has loads of possible places to stay at, but the most popular is the west coast where there are three bays strung together — Patong, Karon and Kata. We decided to stay at the Centara Hotel in Karon and make that our base for our eight days in Phuket. Again, if you’re a first-time visitor, deciding on a hotel and where to stay may seem daunting, but you quickly learn that it is easy to get to any part of the island and between the really super-efficient tour operators or the ‘party-style’ tuk-tuks, you don’t have to worry. We found that Karon and Kata are a little more laid-back than Patong, which is where nights come alive with a variety of shopping and entertainment options and having the option to zip between the three bays was great.

Our eight days in Phuket, before we headed off to Phi Phi Island (check out the next edition for Phi Phi), played out exactly as we had planned, full of activity and new experiences. Our very first night, literally just a few hours after we had landed, found us at a quaint Irish pub grabbing dinner and talking to the locals at around midnight. The time difference is something that had us sleeping late in the mornings (we still made it to breakfast) and pushing through to deep into the night — a good thing, since Phuket seems to really come alive in the late afternoon and at night.

Be ready to shop. Everywhere that we went there were markets where clothes and gadgets seem to be the major items on sale. The markets are clean and the traders are friendly and engaging and open to haggling — we quickly figured out who the best negotiator in the family was and could get the best prices! We also loved the fact that we could speak Afrikaans, even if not perfectly, to each other whilst trading, a nifty travel tip for Phuket. The Otop Market in Patong, which is one of the biggest on the west coast of Phuket, is a great mix of colour, vibe and energy, with rows of market shops and restaurants and we enjoyed an evening of super-hard shopping and great Thai cuisine, including our first Chang Beer experience.

Shopping and the time difference eventually catch up with you and that’s where the beaches in Phuket are amazing. You could spend all your time on the beach, soaking up the sun, but there is also loads to do when it comes to excursions and adventure. You can be adventurous and try to set up all your own day and night trips, but we found that using an experienced tour operator like TourEast is best. Our consultant booked a meeting with us at our hotel and took us through loads and loads of options, which would have been confusing without expert guidance. TourEast really helped and recommended tours that would give us a true Thai experience whilst also making sure that we were well looked after and had fun.

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TRAvEL FEATuRE

Our first trip, arranged by TourEast, took us north over the Sarasin Bridge into Phang Nga Province and on to the Khao Sok National Park. The tour takes a full day, travelling north to experience something magical. We quickly realized that a holiday in Phuket meant that we were going to go to sleep late and the long drive after waking up early on tour mornings gave us time to catch up on some sleep — another handy travel tip. There is something special about knowing that you've made the trip to mainland Thailand and this trip allows you to take in some of the more authentic parts of the country as you make your way to your first stop.

There was a welcome stop at a local restaurant in Khao Lak to grab something to drink, stretch our legs and take in an amazing view of the bay. After a refreshing break, we stopped at the Tsunami Memorial in Khao Lak to pay our

terra firma, we took the opportunity to bond with the elephants and take a few pics before heading off for lunch.

The setting for lunch was at the top of a hill surrounded by forest and rubber trees. The view stretches for miles and you really do feel that you are in the heart of the nature reserve. The rain bucketed down as we tucked into a hearty Thai lunch and we really became ‘lost’ in the essence of Thailand.

The last activity on the day before the three-hour journey back to the hotel, was bamboo rafting down the Sok River on old school bamboo rafts — the experience of a lifetime. We got to take in the limestone mountains as we were guided down the river by guides doing it just as they have been for the last 400 years. A short way into our journey, we stopped and walked a short distance into the forest, just outside a limestone cave, to grab coffee boiled

respects to the 11,000 people that died so unexpectedly 10 years ago. The memorial is still being developed, but it already evokes strong emotions as you reflect on the scope of this catastrophic disaster and its impact on people and their families.

When we arrived at the elephant camp, we got the chance to freshen up before being introduced to our elephants. We climbed into the saddle from a raised platform, so no cowboy launching onto the majestic animals was required and, before we knew it, we were wading through a Thai river on the back of an Asian elephant. Walking through a river and into a forest on the back of an elephant is something to be experienced and we chose this tour, even though it was a bit far, to experience the elephants in their most natural surroundings. We were pleased to see how well the elephants were treated and the special connection between the trainers and these gentle giants. Once back on


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over an open fire in a bamboo log…wow! It’s a long day, but worth every minute and the drive back to Phuket once again gives you time to relax, grab some sleep and be rested for a good night out. We simply have to mention the amazing tour guide who looked after us on this specific tour. We were really impressed with her knowledge and sincere interest in how things were going for us on the tour — the guide’s enthusiasm really made this one of the highlights of our holiday.

Another amazing experience was a day tour on a traditional Thai junk (boat). It was an early, fresh start, with a hotel transfer to Leam Sai Pier on the east side of the island. The dock is very traditional and rustic, but serves its purpose for a quick boarding onto Ayodhaua, our Thai junk, that saw us off and cruising the emerald waters of Phang Nga Bay and marvelling at the amazing limestone islands of Panak and Hong.

— you just have to see it. There is lots to keep you entertained before the show starts, including a buffet-style dinner that includes international and western dishes, but the real magic happens inside the theatre as you are taken on a spellbinding journey in music and dance through the rich, diverse history of Thailand. You can imagine our reaction when we figured out that the show even has a real river running through it!

For us boys, a kick of testosterone was needed after a few days of shopping and an evening of Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, did the trick. Thailand is known for its style of kick boxing and every Monday and Thursday night you’ll find tournaments happening around the island. We visited the Patong Boxing Stadium, which is down a small alley in the centre of the town of Patong. We spent three hours watching seven bouts of Thai boxing from our front row seats, which really got the blood pumping. The participants follow the ancient custom of wai kru ram muay before each round in a rich display of paying respect, as well as a unique boxing dance, which is a special experience and adds something different to a night out of boxing. Again, as with all tours in Phuket, we were fetched from and dropped back at the hotel by the tour operators. (2/59 Sai Nam Yen Road, Patong Beach, 076-345 578)

Before we knew it, our eight days were over and we were packing for the ferry to Phi Phi Island. In eight days we had ridden elephants, floated down rivers on bamboo rafts, visited a gem factory, been taught about Thai temples and customs, taken a Thai cooking class, watched a world-class show, experienced Muay Boxing… phew…and still been able to bond as a family, lounge around pools, visit beaches, sip cocktails and grab Starbucks coffee. We made memories in Phuket that will last us a lifetime and we recommend a trip to Thailand at least once in your lifetime — you won’t regret it.

The trip from Phuket to the first stop, James Bond Island, takes just under two hours, so you have plenty of time to relax. The island was the first stop and we transferred from the Ayodhaya to the island by longtail boat — a great new experience and again really authentically Thai. The stop on the island was a little rushed for us, as operators churn through arriving and departing longtail boats, but it’s still well worth visiting the famous location. The locals have done really well to turn this into such a popular destination so worthy of a visit. The next leg sees you hop off the island and float through the most amazing mangrove forest before tailing off to Koh Panyi, a floating gypsy sea village that has been around for hundreds of years, where water laps at the man-made columns and stilts that support a self-sustained village with its very own football field. We loved this and another highlight for us was to play soccer with some local kids during a short break at their school.

The trip included a Thai-style lunch with fresh fruit and we were even able to get a cup of coffee on this old boat as we headed back to Phuket through Phang Nga Bay. A good tip is to watch the weather, as we did the trip on an overcast and rainy day, which makes it less comfortable than normal, but still very manageable and highly recommended.

In between tours we found time to lounge around one of three pools at the resort, make friends with the staff at the pool bar and walk to local restaurants for lunch, where we found great Pad Thai and a local beer for less than R50.00 a head. We decided to visit Siam Niramit on one of the nights, which is one of the largest stage productions in the world, with a cast of over 100 actors and special effects and stage props that will blow you away! No matter what is written about this exceptional evening out, it will not do justice to the magnitude of the performance and the whole evening

Holidays are about experiences and people, and tuning into what you feel like doing at that moment. Enjoy not having to look at a watch. Evelyn Glennie

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The radical Spanish painter and sculptor, Picasso, enjoyed a long and prolific career, leaving an enormous body of work. The legend lives on – this time in the shape of a Citroen.

For car brands to survive, they need to move away from a discount culture, and models like the new C4 Picasso have to sell on their own appeal. They need to be desirable, which Citroen has achieved with its DS range - but what about their new Picasso? Is it a step in right direction in the brand’s effort to travel more up-market?

Its first weapon is its individualistic and technical styling. It’s completely different from other MPV designs and is unmistakably a Citroen with a real premium feel. It may not be as startling as the Citroen’s that gave the firm their well deserved reputation for innovation – think 2cv and DS – but this design is very promising.

The Picasso’s new platform is shorter overall than the car it replaces but it has more rear seat legroom and manages to weigh in a handy 140kgs lighter, too. The interior is very spacious compared to its rivals and has lots of clever storage cubbyholes throughout. An airy interior is helped by both the windscreen, which stretches far back into the roof – and a panoramic sunroof – whilst the quality of materials and fit and finish augur well for Citroen’s drive up market.

Two digital displays control a number of functions like aircon, navigation and entertainment as well as driver-customisable information like speed and economy.

As expected, the latest safety technology – some optional – includes radar-controlled Active Cruise Control, auto-dim headlights, a Blind Spot Monitoring system and a Lane Departure Warning system. Spirited driving

reveals a faithful follow through and whilst not sporty, it’s pretty much up there with its rivals. Great ride comfort and quietness add to the relaxed air of progress.

Citroen claims a combined fuel consumption of 4 litres per 100km from its 85kW 1.6 e-HDi 115 turbodiesel, enabling it to reach 100km/h in 11.8sec. Prices start at R325 900 and come with a very competitive equipment list, a spacious interior and styling that gets people talking, so the Citroën makes a solid case for itself. This is a car that’ll fit well into a busy family.

Picasso the man devoted himself to artistic production that contributed hugely to modern art in the 20th century, and Citroen are certainly doing their bit for creative expression too.

If you are looking for stylish transport for five people and a good amount of luggage, the Picasso scores well and should be on your short-list.

a work of art?Pablo Picasso became one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th Century and the creator of Cubism. He would have liked the C4 that bears his name.

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Exercise specialist: 071 686 3265

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Here are my top five tips to get you lean during the holiday season:

aDJust your Diet It’s time to cut out those carbs — no more sugar-loaded fizzy drinks, bread, pasta, pizza or potato chips. It’s time to go green with veggies, the greener the leaner. Start to eat more meat — proteins are the building blocks of muscles, they keep you fuller for longer and have fewer calories, so you will look good in no time. Introduce nuts as your snack and get off those sweets, but try not to exceed 30g a day, because too much of a good thing can also be bad. Use coconut or almond oil instead of blended oils and be sure to avoid deep frying — let a teaspoon in a pan be your ‘go-to’ guide. Try to eat less more often and rather eat smaller meals every three hours instead of a large meal every six hours. This will help your blood sugar to stay stable and you will feel a lot lighter.

hit the gymDon’t spend all day in the gym, but try a 20-minute workout of high Intensity

exercises. This gives you the best results for a shorter time period, keeps heart rate high, burns more calories and makes you fitter.

get out more Go to the beach, play some volleyball or touch rugby, surf, swim or go for a walk. Why not try a bike trail instead of the usual car safari ride? Become a little more active and it will go along way on the scale. Doing something that you enjoy will burn more calories, because your effort level will be higher and the duration tends to be more than an hour.

make a routine If you are on holiday, don’t stop exercising. Try doing at least 100 push-ups and sit-ups a day, or go for a quick run when you wake up. Keep the body fit — exercising relieves stress and will help you to relax while you are on holiday.

Look the Part Dress for success. When you feel good, you will train hard. Something small,

like new shoes, will motivate you to push harder and exercise more often. Setting a goal for yourself, with a reward at the end, will make you push for it and make it easier to stick to your goal.

The festive season is just around the corner. Why not enter 2015 on a good note, instead of making hollow New Year’s resolutions? Everyone wants to look better and be fitter and the perfect time is now! The gyms are starting to empty out, personal trainers have bigger gaps and you might just get yourself a good deal. Why not get your friends and family on board and buy them a training voucher? Most people just need some motivation in order for them to change their lifestyles. My words to you are — end 2014 off with a bang and have a very fit Christmas and a Happy New Year!

another year is drawing to a close and the holiday season, with its sunny skies, is upon

us. it’s time to hit the beach, soak up the sun and spend time with friends and family...

but are you ready and is there still time to get into shape? The answer is yes!

GET LEAN this holiday


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Visit our showroom in the month of January and get 10% off your kitchen.

We specialise in: Wrap | Melamine | Veneer | Solid Kitchens

Tel: 035 789 6643/4 | Fax: 035 789 6653 | Web: www.interiorofficeconcepts.co.za | Facebook: www.facebook.com/iocrbayShowroom: 58 Dollar Drive, CBD, Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal

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BuSINESS

Homemade

Rice Puff Bars

ingreDients:• 250g marshmallows• 125g unsalted melted butter• 6 cups Rice Krispies• ½ cup 100s and 1000s

DireCtions:1. Grease a 16 cm x 26 cm tray and set aside.2. Chop 1 cup marshmallows and combine in a bowl with Rice Krispies and

100s and 1000s.3. Melt remaining marshmallows in a heat-proof bowl in the microwave (on

high for 20 seconds). Add melted marshmallows and melted butter to the Rice Krispies mixture. Stir well to combine.

4. Transfer the mixture into the tray and press down with the back of a spoon. Refrigerate until set, and then cut into 16 bars. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge.

Homemade rice puff bars recipe. Stir the flour, baking powder and sugar together in a bowl. Add the eggs, buttermilk and melted butter, whisk to combine. Stir in choc chips.

how do you make seven an even number?Take the s out!

Why are ghosts bad liars?Because you can see right through them

how do you make a fruit punch?Give it boxing lessons.

Did you Know?• Unless food is mixed with saliva, you can’t taste it!• A lobsters blood is colorless but when exposed to oxygen

it turns blue• Birds need gravity to swallow • The names of all continents both start and end with the

same letter• All insects have 6 legs• The sentence “the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy

dog” uses every letter in the English alphabet


The Bay

• Alllaundryrequirements:Domesticlaundryrequirements

• Restaurants• GuesthousesandB&B’s

requirements• ContractWorkwear

• Curtains• DustCoats&Overalls• DryCleaning• Alterations• Carpet&mattresscleaning• MachineHire(Meerenseebranch)

www.pressitlaundryrb.co.za|0797814228|0738024128

FREECOLLECTIONSANDDELIVERYSERVICESNOWAVAILABLE-TERMSAND

CONDITIONSAPPLY

LAUNDRY AND DRY CLEANING

Richardsbay

Shop20MeerenseeMall,55AnglersRodStreet,Meerensee.

Shop31A,BellinghamParkMall(NEXTTOCAPITECBANK),RichardsBayCBD

07HOO-18HOO(M/SEEBRANCH)07H00-17HOO(CBD,BRANCH)

08HOO-17HOO(M/SEEBRANCH)08HOO-16H00(CBDBRANCH

09H00-14HOO

MON-FRID:

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TRADING HOURS:

5 Ways Mall | Shop 21A | Corner of Paul avenue and Rex Henderson | Empangeni

035 7721853

[email protected] | www.africanessencespa.co.zaSubscribe to newsletter: [email protected]

Shop 21B, Five Ways Mall, (Upstairs, Above Fishaways) Empangeni

Tel: 035 772 3242 | Cell: 083 306 9026

GIFTS & DECORBEADED & FABRIC LAMPS

LADIES, MENS & CHILDRENS CLOTHING

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directory

NAM JAI HOUSERestaurant

Thai Restaurant • Rotating Sushi Bar • Cocktails • Teppanyaki • Takeaways110 Rex Henderson Road, Wyett’s Building, Empangeni

Tel: 035 772 2650

www.namjai.co.zaAdd us on facebook • Add us on BB 270BB50F • Add us on Twitter @AnneNamjai

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M JA

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Tel 035 789 5101Caredoc Centre, 3 Lira Link, Richards Bay

A: 25 Grunter Gully, Meerensee T: 035 753 3339 E: [email protected]

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Passionately creating quality community magazines

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032 946 3187086 605 0098

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W W W. FA BMAGS . C O . Z A | 1

BALLITO

A NORTH COAST WAY OF LIFE

THE

Ballito From

Above

PLUS HOLLA TRAILS + LETTERS FROM DAD + LOCAL TALENT + REVIEWS & MOREJUNE/JULY 2014 ISSUE 29

Surfs Up

For the love of the ride

Young aspiring surfers


The Bay

Terms and Conditions apply. Please refer to our website for further details. SA Home Loans is a Registered Credit Provider. Registration Number NCRCP1735.

Did you know there are great benefi ts that you could enjoy if you switch your bond?

By switching your bond you could:

• Consolidate your up-to-date fi nancial commitments with the equity available

• Pay off your short-term debts over the same debt period, but at a far more favourable interest rate and, as a result, reduce your overall debt and improve your monthly cash fl ow

• Use the equity available in your bond to do renovations or make improvements to your home

If you’d like to see how moving your bond to SA Home Loans could benefi t you, give me a call!

I look forward to assisting you.

SWITCH to a bond that works for you from a loan provider that understands you

THB/38667

JUANITA DERCKSENProperty Finance ConsultantCell: 083 231 3955Tel: 035 789 [email protected]

www.sahomeloans.com

54 |

The bay


AS THE PROPERTY MARkET GAINS MOMENTUM

dynamic real estate professionals, Seeff KZN branches are not only attracting the very best real estate agents, but are redefining real estate operations in the region.

Aside from almost doubling our agent number from 69 two years ago to 128, Seeff KZN’s work rate in terms of aggressively exposing properties on Sole Mandate has increased show house attendance by a significant 89%.Cohesion, collaboration and teamwork amongst and between our key branches have been key factors in the success of the Seeff KZN brand.

On the whole, it remains business as usual. We look forward to ending the 2014-year on a good note and with sustained growth into next year. Property remains one of the smartest investments and while the macro-economic landscape is still not conducive to induce a real recovery of the market, conditions are healthy for both buyers and sellers. For buyers, it is still the best time to buy in over three decades and, since there has been no major capital appreciation over the last few years and

the interest rate is still at a historic low, the value on offer is outstanding.

While Seeff has over the past three years cautioned that sellers looking to turn a healthy profit should sit tight, conditions are improving. Correctly priced properties are selling and trading conditions are now better than what the case was three years ago. While pricing in line with market demands remain vital, smart sellers could start looking forward to shorter selling times, slightly better prices and can in turn take advantage of the good buying conditions before the market turns.

Working with a dynamic and credible real estate brand, as well as an agent that understands the market, knows what is in demand, and, at what price, still remains vital.

Visit www.seeff.com for more information or to view the excellent selection of real estate buys on offer.

ProPerTy

By samuel seeff | seeff chairman

SEEff KZN ShiNES

“THE PROPERTY MARkET

IS PURPORTED TO bE IN

ITS HEALTHIEST POSITION

SINCE THE ECONOMIC

DOWNTURN ...”

A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN

The property market is purported to be in its healthiest position since the economic downturn with sales volumes this year being ahead of what was achieved during 2010 when market activity was buoyed by the positive sentiment of the Soccer World Cup. The improved propensity on the part of the banks to grant home loans is also encouraging and the relative stability of the interest rate has also added to the market’s continuing momentum.

One area where there has been significant growth is KwaZulu-Natal. The region is showing strong year-on-year growth and the Richards Bay office is one of the growing brands in KZN. This office under the leadership of Silven and Elaine Chetty showed an 18% growth in 2012, a 20% in 2013 and for 2014 they are aiming for 25% growth. The strong leadership in this office, as well as the tight team spirit, has seen sales for the first 5 months of this year more than double those of the same period in 2013. Seeff Richards Bay has also, for 2 years in a row, been voted the best real estate business awards in Zululand by the readers of the Zululand Observer. This is quite a commendation from an independent source. Moreover Seeff Richards Bay has also displayed an exceptional performance in the rental field where they are consistently the most productive KZN office, and, they are regularly in the top 3 offices for the number of units sold.

Seeff KZN ShiNeS as the property market gains momentum

Led by strong real estate principals, and the infusion of a new breed of young and dynamic real estate professionals, Seeff KZN branches are not only attracting the very best real estate agents, but are redefining real estate operations in the region.

Aside from almost doubling our agent number from 69 two years ago to 128, Seeff KZN’s work rate in terms of aggressively exposing properties on Sole Mandate has increased show house attendance by a significant 89%. Cohesion, collaboration and teamwork amongst and between our key branches have been key factors in the success of the Seeff KZN brand.

On the whole, it remains business as usual. We look forward to ending the 2014-year on a good note and with sustained growth into next year. Property remains one of the smartest investments and while the macro-economic landscape is still not conducive to induce a real recovery of the market, conditions are healthy for both buyers and sellers. For buyers, it is still the best time to buy in over three decades and, since there has been no major capital

appreciation over the last few years and the interest rate is still at a historic low, the value on offer is outstanding.

While Seeff has over the past three years cautioned that sellers looking to turn a healthy profit should sit tight, conditions are improving. Correctly priced properties are selling and trading conditions are now better than what the case was three years ago. While pricing in line with market demands remain vital, smart sellers could start looking forward to shorter selling times, slightly better prices and can in turn take advantage of the good buying conditions before the market turns.

Working with a dynamic and credible real estate brand, as well as an agent that understands the market, knows what is in demand, and, at what price, still remains vital. ■

Visit www.seeff.com for more information or to view the excellent selection of real estate buys on offer.

www.seeff.com | smart move

By Samuel Seeff | Seeff Chairman

“The PROPeRTy MaRKeT

iS PuRPORTed TO Be iN

iTS heaLThieST POSiTiON

SiNCe The eCONOMiC

dOWNTuRN...”The property market is purported to be in its healthiest position since the economic downturn with sales volumes this year being ahead of what was achieved during2010 when market activity was buoyed by the positive sentiment of the Soccer WorldCup. The improved propensity on the part of the banks to grant home loans is also encouraging and the relative stability of the interest rate has also added to the market’s continuing momentum.

One area where there has been significant growth is KwaZulu-Natal. The region is showing strong year-on-year growth and the Richards Bay office is one of the growing brands in KZN. This office under the leadership of Silven and Elaine Chetty showed an 18% growth in 2012, a 20% in 2013 and for 2014 they are aiming for 25% growth. The strong leadership in this office, as well as the tight team spirit, has seen sales for the first 5 months of this year more than double those of the same period in 2013. Seeff Richards Bay has also, for 2 years in a row, been voted the best real estate business awards in Zululand by the readers of the Zululand Observer. This is quite a commendation from an independent source. Moreover Seeff Richards Bay has also displayed an exceptional performance in the rental field where they are consistently the most productive KZN office, and, they are regularly in the top 3 offices for the number of units sold.

Led by strong real estate principals, and the infusion of a new breed of young and

www.seeff.com | smart move


The Bay

A TOUCH OF ELEGANCE Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 5 Garage 3 This spectacular home is a masterpiece of design and workmanship. The contemporary styling and open plan layout is evident throughout.[O] 035 789 0490

VELD EN VLEI R3 200 000

WEB 234141YOU DESERVE THE BESTBedrooms 4 Bathrooms 5 Garage 2 Situated in a popular area is this extraordinary character filled home.

[O] 035 789 0490

MEERENSEE R 2 695 000

WEB 336095 B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.LBedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 Garage 1 You can sit on the deck and enjoy peace & tranquillity of the bright sunshine, Spacious living areas & upmarket finishing’s throughout[O] 035 789 0490


WEB 334652

PRESTIGIOUS LOCATION Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 Garage 2 A rare opportunity to own one of the finest properties in Richards bay. The property has been meticulously designed & well planned for indoor & outside entertainment. Excellent address & finishes.[O] 035 789 0490


WEB 297770 NEAT FAMILY HOMEBedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 Garage 2This character filled family home offers great spaces and

fantastic estate views. The perfect investment.

[O] 035 789 0490


WEB 333906 DREAM NO MOREBedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4 Garage 3

This magnificent home is pure quality and class. Beautifully decorated, this residence features spacious & open plan living.[O] 035 789 0490


WEB 327632

A STUNNING GEM Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4 Garage 4 The most perfect, exclusive residence with beautiful, majestic finishes and meticulous attention to detail are part and parcel of this luxurious home.[O] 035 789 0490


WEB 307894 PICTURE PERFECT HOME Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 4 Garage 3 One of it’s kind. This modern & upmarket home is a keeper. The elevated position gives you the most amazing views. Must have![O] 035 789 0490


WEB 198305

BIRDSWOOD R 5 500 000

WEB 210252THE HEIGHT OF LUXURY & PRESTIGE Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 4 Garages 4Three stories of ultra-luxurious living boasting exquisite finishes. Bask in the elegance of this Upmarket splendour which entails spacious living areas.[O] 035 789 0490

WEB 295770

MODERN LIVING AT IT’S BESTBedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 Garage 1Exclusive simplex, finished with a touch of the luxury lifestyle. This lovely home thrives with beauty, space and is topped with modern finishes that is breath taking.

[O] 035 789 0490


WEB 333959 THREE FOR THE PRICE OF ONEBedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 Garage 2

This immaculate property is up for grabs! Hurry, before it’s too late. This home offers everything you need and more. Super spacious and modern. It has 2 income generating flat lets.[O] 035 789 0490

ARBORETUM R 1 850 000

WEB 336496UNCOMPROMISING SECURITY, EXCELLENT POSITIONBedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 Garage 2 Secure living in a perfect setting. Spacious, face brick home in pristine condition with a beautiful garden and sparkling pool.

[O] 035 789 0490


WEB 337178

Rentals

035 789 0490

For many more properties, visit

www.seeff.comSEEFF RICHARDS BAY

A: Suite 1b, Partridge Place, Lira Link Road, Richards Bay CBD

T: +27 3578 904 90/1

56 |

The bay


R311 900*R320 900*

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R251 900*R264 900*

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STEED 5 C30 STEED 5fromR154 900

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Purchase any 1 of the 3 belowvehicles & you are GUARANTEEDA TRIP TO THAILAND FOR 5 DAYSWITH YOUR PARTNER

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H5 2.0 A/T 4X2H5 2.0 M/T 4X2

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the bay magazine dec'14 - mar'15

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