Blog by Marvic.biz

Official Google Blog: Google Crisis Response: a small team tackling big problems

2011-04-06T01:39:00.000-07:00

Official Google Blog: Google Crisis Response: a small team tackling big problems

Tours and Tales has moved

2010-04-08T01:25:00.000-07:00

We have moved our Tours and Tales blog to its own site at http://toursandtales.com

You're very welcome to visit our site and we hope you enjoy reading the entertaining travel journals and other stuff. Tip: there is an option in the top left corner to subscribe to the Tours and Tales feed via Google's feedburner.

We also tweet at http://twitter.com/toursandtales and have a facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lelystad-Netherlands/Tours-and-Tales/91647826052

'Solar Impulse' to introduce pollution-free flight

2007-05-23T23:03:00.000-07:00

Pioneer Bertrand Piccard is designing a solar plane to fly around the world. In a bid to create pollution-free flight, Piccard and his team are creating a plane that travels solely on the energy received from the sun. The immediate goal isn't one of commercial travel, but rather to create a mindshift in current technologies.

You can read more about this exciting project at http://www.solarimpulse.com - check out the animations for Take-off and Flight, and Around the World to get a good idea of what they're aiming.

Starbucks & Ethopia in coffee-bean dispute

2006-10-26T02:05:00.000-07:00

One year ago, the Ethiopian government approached Starbucks global HQ in Seattle and asked the company to recognise Ethiopia’s legal ownership of the names of its coffees. Despite its much-publicised commitments to farming communities, Starbucks has not taken the Ethiopian request seriously. It’s time for Starbucks to recognise Ethiopia’s rights. Read full story on Oxfam's website.

Rebel group slaughtering hippos in National Park

2006-10-22T23:24:00.000-07:00

Hippos falling victim to a poaching spree in a national park could die out in the area by Christmas unless the culling stops, Zoological Society of London conservationists are warning.

A Congolese militia group is already thought to have killed half the hippo population in Virunga National Park since setting up a base there two weeks ago. Lake Edward, in the centre of the park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was once central to Africa’s greatest concentration of these magnificent beasts (read full story).

Wine Farmers Share Profit with Workers in South Africa

2006-10-17T01:11:00.000-07:00

Through the creation of the Wijn de Caab Trust (representing Delta's resident employees and their families, mainly descendants of the dislocated Gorachoqua and Indian Ocean slaves, whose labour made the estate what it is today) the current owners are attempting in a small way to address the persistent economic inequality and other bitter legacies of South Africa's past. Profits of the estate are now shared equally between Solms-Delta (Pty) Ltd. and the beneficiaries of the Trust. Read full story ...

Wildlife Souvenirs - THINK TWICE

2006-10-10T00:26:00.000-07:00

South African born actor, Arnold Vosloo, has joined forces with IFAW to champion the Think Twice campaign urging tourists not to buy souvenirs made from wildlife when visiting South Africa - watch the video | take the pledge.

Africam.com back online!

2006-10-08T23:46:00.000-07:00

Visitors to Africam.com can enjoy LIVE footage of African wildlife through africams at various watering holes and other strategic locations.

Need a hug?

2006-10-06T22:39:00.000-07:00

Check out the inspiring story (video) about the free hugs campaign, music by sick puppies, on YouTUBE.

Goodbye Johannesburg International - hello OR Thambo International

2006-10-05T23:56:00.000-07:00

ACSA (Airports Company South Africa) has confirmed that Johannesburg International Airport will be officially renamed to OR Thambo International Airport on the 27th of October, the birthday of freedom fighter, Oliver Thambo.

How Green is Your Boating?

2006-08-25T00:39:00.000-07:00

It's very difficult to plead ignorance about the harm we inflict on our planet, but have you considered how your boating adventures affect the aquatic environment you love spending time in?

Test how eco-friendly you are with your boat by doing this test at http://www.thegreenblue.org.uk/youandyourboat/howgreen.asp

Cycling ALONE around the world for PEACE

2006-08-23T01:52:00.000-07:00

Pushkar Shah, a peace activist in college and witness to violence throughout his life in Nepal, left home in 1998 with the goal of cycling 390 000 km and visiting every country in the world to promote peace.

“We have one sun, one moon, we have one sky and one world. So the world is one house. We are the family of that house so we have to live in peace,” he said.

"I began my journey with only 100 Nepalese Rupees (One Euro) given to me by my mother. I have no official sponsor and have thus far been able to pursue my dream through the kindness and generosity of the many strangers who have befriended me along the way.

When I began my journey eight years ago, many people did not believe that such a trip was possible and said that I would get no further than India. As of May 2006 I have visited 100 countries in Asia, Asia Pacific, North America, Central America, South America, Caribbean, Africa and the Europe. I would like to climb Mount Everest in 2010 bringing the national flags of all the countries I will have visited by then to the summit."

Read more about this amazing journey at http://www.pushkarshah.com/.

Sailing a dry-river bed?

2006-08-17T02:18:00.000-07:00

Who needs water to go sailing? Assa Abloy's Henley-on-Todd takes place in the centre of Australia at Alice Springs on 16 September 2006. The fact that the town is 1,500 km's from the nearest large body of water is not seen as a problem.

Watching seemingly sane people race in bottomless "eights", "oxford tubs", "bath tubs" and yachts through the deep coarse sand of the Todd River provides an unique spectacle amongst world sporting events. The multi-event program attracts many local and international participants from the audience who often finish up on world TV news paddling canoes with sand shovels and in "land lubber" events like filling empty 44 gallon drums with sand.

Fly non-stop London-Hong Kong for same price as 2/3 stop flight

2006-07-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

Oasis Hong Kong Air are launching their first non-stop, long haul flight to London for the price of a ticket with 2 or 3 stops. They plan to phase in these cheap flights to other European destinations over the next few months.

"Flights to Milan, Berlin, Cologne/Bonn (Germany), Oakland and Chicago will be successively phased in during the months after we launch service to London-Gatwick." ~ Oasis Hong Kong Air (http://www.oasis-air.com).

New granny boat design to become a hit?

2006-06-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

The elderly and people with a disability would be able to sail much more easily with the new 'granny' boat design. It's not sure if and when it will be put into production, funky anyway? Further info can be read at http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=25185.

Mega Blue Wave Sailing Adventure

2006-04-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

Sailing enthusiasts might find 'The Big Sail Blog' at http://www.megabluewave.com/blog/ fun to follow. Four lads have embarked on a six-day sailing adventure in the Great Lakes (USA). Marek explains, "I was trying to figure out how can we post to our blog while we are on the water. Thanks to the great technology we have today we'll use my RAZR cell phone to post updates to our blog assuming there is cell phone coverage in the areas we will be."

East Africa facing drought-induced starvation

2006-02-23T03:32:00.000-08:00

URGENT - 11 million people are watching their cattle, donkeys and livestock starve to death and they're not far behind (read further). You can help by donating your time, money and/or resources to the World Food Program.

Stay of Execution for KNP Elephants

2006-02-22T00:42:00.000-08:00

The decision to cull elephants in the Kruger National Park has been put on hold due to international pressure from animal welfare groups. A big thank-you to everyone who also sent their outcry to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. "It is unclear how long the government’s postponement will hold, and that at least another three months of research needs to be done into the impact and necessity of culling." ~ Rudi van Aarde, ecologist at the University of Pretoria.

Sophiatown Resurrected After Apartheid

2006-02-12T05:30:00.000-08:00

As apartheid bulldozers razed their homes on 9th of February 1955, residents of Sophiatown were 'dumped' into the Meadowlands, approximate 10 km's to the South in Soweto. The minority government renamed their seizure 'Triomf' (meaning truimph).

"Despite the poverty, Sophiatown had a special character; for Africans it was the Left Bank in Paris, Greenwich Village in New York, the home of writers, artists, doctors and lawyers. It was both bohemian and conventional, lively and sedate," former president Nelson Mandela recalled in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.

Tin shacks and red-roofed brick homes, Sophiatown was the vibrant birthplace of South African jazz. Internationally-acclaimed jazz greats, like trumpet maestro Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and Abdullah Ibrahim made their name here. Archbishop Trevor Huddleston (and anti-apartheid veteran) gave Masekela his first trumpet here.

South Africans of all cultures celebrated this Saturday, "We are here today to rename Triomf to Sophiatown," said city mayor Amos Masondo as he unveiled a signboard bearing the original name in bold black letters."There is no need to say how deeply devisive the name Triomf has been to our nation," Masondo told a crowd of about 500 people including many who had lived in the suburb before 1955.

"I'm feeling ecstatic about it. When we were thrown out we lost hope that we would ever be able to come back," said jazz diva Abigail Kubeka, who started her singing career in Sophiatown's beerhalls.

Kruger's Elephant Hall Closed for Refurbishing

2006-02-10T00:50:00.000-08:00

A lick of paint and general maintenance will give the Elephant Hall at Letaba Main Camp in the Kruger National Park a fresh new face. The Elephant Hall is home to the skulls and ivory of six of Kruger's legendary Magnificent Seven elephants and will soon include the tusks of Mandleve, Kruger's largest ivory-carrying elephant which died of natural causes in 1993.

It also includes historical displays of elephant evolution and will soon boast large murals especially prepared for the Hall. "We realise that many of our guests that visit Letaba during February will be disappointed not to see this facility, but would like to assure that the new-look Hall will be much better than the present one.” said Ben van Eeden, regional manager for the Northern Business Unit. The Hall should reopen in March 2006.

Wetlands, Water and Livelihoods

2006-02-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

The global NGO Wetlands International will host an international workshop in South Africa on the role of wetland management in poverty reduction. The goal of the workshop is to bring the nature conservation and development aid sectors together to develop a common agenda for how wetlands protection and poverty reduction can complement one another.

"South Africa is a very interesting country to look at," says Trevor Wickham, the Project Manager of the Dutch-funded project, "with water shortage in many areas and numerous communities dependent on fresh water ecosystems, South Africa has needed to be innovative in finding solutions that work for nature and people. Their working-for-wetlands program, where the poor can earn a living and develop new skills through restoring wetlands is one such example.”

2010 Soccer World Cup - 10 Stadiums

2006-02-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

South Africa has committed ZAR 242m for building / refurbishing 10 stadiums in South Africa for the 2010 Football World Cup. "These 10 stadiums will ensure that South Africa meets Fifa's expectations." ~ Gert Oosthuizen, Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation. The 10 stadiums are:

Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo;
One stadium in Mbombela in Mpumalanga;
One in the Nelson Mandela Metro in the Eastern Cape;
Kings Park Soccer stadium in Durban, Kwazulu Natal (going to be rebuilt to become a multi-purpose sports facility);
A new stadium will be built at the existing Green Point Track in Cape Town (a ‘dome’ roof will protect the players from the notorius Cape Doctor);
Soccer City in Gauteng;
Ellis Park in Gauteng;
Loftus Versveld in Gauteng;
Royal Bafokeng stadium in North West;
Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein in the Free State.

Culling-conservationists need paradigm shift

2006-01-25T23:49:00.000-08:00

Dear Editor,

I am of the opinion that in an island reserve such as Pilansberg or Madikwe, if you cannot translocate the excess elephant, there is no other alternative but to cull in order to maintain the ecological integrity of the reserve. However, this is not the case with the Kruger National Park.

I, after spending many years living in Timbavati side by side with elephants and interacting with them on a daily basis, have formed a different view. National parks and reserves should be audited to ascertain whether the reserve in question could sustain an elephant population crash and if so elephant populations should be allowed to climb and crash as the natural cycles dictate.

The Kruger National Park has recently become a Transfrontier Park. An additional million hectares has now been fenced in with the KNP, which is now three million hectare in extent. This reserve could possibly sustain elephant populations indefinitely as occurs with wildebeest populations in the Serengeti.

There needs to be a paradigm shift in the thinking of conservationists who support culling and consider it the only the alternative.

Nature has looked after itself for millions of years; conservation is a new science and has only been practiced as "educated guesses" for about 80 years or so. We need to comprehend that culling is only one option of many and each situation is unique. To cull at this time while the park is expanding is premature. The elephants and other wildlife are stimulus-response organisms and will respond to any stimulus in their environment.

Culling will lead to more prolific breeding. Overpopulation will lead to some elephants moving into new areas without having to be forced. Allow them to do their thing and I am sure we will learn a thing or two and be pleasantly surprised. My vote goes to applying a flexible, accountable approach to the situation.

Marco Schiess
Umlani Bushcamp
Timbavati

Elephant Science Round Table meet in Cape Town

2006-01-18T23:29:00.000-08:00

An international group of 10 scientists (a.k.a. the Elephant Science Round Table) are meeting in Cape Town today [19-01-'06] to discuss the report by SANparks that highlights the problem of elephant herd overpopulation in the Kruger National Park. The concern is what damage can be caused to the biodiversity. At the moment, population control options include contraception, translocation, increasing the range (making the park area larger) and culling.

"Culling should not be considered as an option, as it's cruel and unethical." ~ Animal Welfare Groups like IFAW.

Update 23-01-'06 : The Round Table has advised Marthinus van Schalkwyk (Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism) that there isn't enough evidence to warrant a large scale reduction of the elephant population in the Kruger National Park. Even though there is a lot of information, the Round Table scientists believe that more research needs to be done before a definite decision can be made.

“The Round Table essentially confirmed the diversity of views on this emotive issue, but also that role players are at the end committed to the same objective, which is to assert South Africa’s internationally recognised skill of conservation management,” said J P Louw, DEAT spokesperson.

Cape Flats to get a ZAR 8,4m boost

2006-01-09T00:32:00.000-08:00

The City of Cape Town has allocated ZAR 8,4 m to reviving parts of the Cape Flats i.e. Khayelitsha and Mitchell's Plain. Khayelitsha will be seeing road upgrades and the installation of street / security lights (ZAR 4,6m), while Mitchell's Plain will see an upgrade of its beaches on False Bay coast and its sports fields (ZAR 3,7m).

Tourists can visit the local folk at the Cape Flats on an exciting cultural day-excursion, such as the Cape Care Cultural Route, Cape Cultural Township Tour or Cape Town City and Cultural Township Tour. See info on Cape Town & Western Cape.

Book Kruger National Park Day Trips in Advance

2005-12-12T23:54:00.000-08:00

The festive season is silly season when it comes to 'arriving unannounced' at the Kruger National Park in South Africa - you're bound to be disappointed. Kruger manages the volume of day visitors according to the park's infrastructure available (e.g. parking and other public facilities). Day visitors should book the specific day that they'd like to visit, at a specific Kruger Park gate, via SANparks (reservations@sanparks.org).

Cage Diving with Crocodiles Anyone?

2005-12-12T23:41:00.000-08:00

A new trend is about to explode at the Cango Wildlife Ranch in South Africa (http://www.cango.co.za). Similar to cage diving with Great White Sharks, visitors will be able to view these magnificent living relics from the safety of a cage, in lovely clear water, using snorkelling gear i.e. one does not need to be scuba-qualified!

The Cango Wildlife Ranch is situated in Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape and is home to one of the most successful cheetah / endangered species breeding centres. Apart from the furry felines and risky reptiles, it is also home to leguaans, suricates, pygmy hippos, snakes, black eared foxes and more. Check out the park layout at : http://www.cango.co.za/parkmap.htm.

City Year South Africa Service Leaders

2005-12-12T23:39:00.000-08:00

City Year was founded on the belief that a healthy and vibrant democracy depends on active, engaged citizens who commit their time, skills, and resources to address pressing problems in our communities. City Year believes in the power and idealism of young people as a means to achieving this goal by uniting a diverse corps of 18 – 25 year old South Africans from all races and backgrounds for an intensive year of full-time community service, leadership training and personal development. United in their desire to serve, these young Service Leaders invest their talents and energy working directly on critical issues that face children and communities in South Africa, while developing their own talents and potential for enhanced learning and employment opportunities upon graduation from the programme.

Service Leaders are selected from a diverse cross-section of youth, representing all racial, socio-economic, educational, religious and language groups. Service Leaders work in teams of 10 to 12 members, each team a true reflection of City Year’s diversity, relying on each others skills and experiences to serve the communities in which they work. Teams are supported by a full-time Team Leader as well as a strong network of staff, trainings, referral systems. City Year is registered with the National Youth Service Unit, overseen by the Presidency, and aims to support South Africa’s efforts to grow national youth service in the coming years.

City Year works in partnership with a range of government and private sector partners. The service and learning programme has been developed in close partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education, the City of Johannesburg, the Department of Labour, and the National Youth Service Unit in the Office of the Presidency. City Year is strongly supported by African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American, Claude Leon Foundation, Edcon, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, JP Morgan, Standard Bank, The Timberland Company, Xstrata, and a growing number of South African private, public, and corporate partners. Learn more about what City Year Service Leaders do...

ABN AMRO ONE win first leg of Volvo Ocean Race in Cape Town

2005-12-02T00:18:00.000-08:00

ABM AMRO ONE have won the first leg of the prestigious Volvo Ocean Race (www.volvooceanrace.org) from Vigo in Spain to the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. The next planned sailing event is the In Port race in Table Bay on the 26th December (see race schedule), but there are many VOR festivities planned.

If you're visiting Cape Town during this exciting time, feel free to check out our exciting one-day excursions - but do hurry, there may not be much space left ...

World AIDS Day - new online resource in SA

2005-12-01T00:20:00.000-08:00

01 December is World AIDS day, and to help with this international disease, IOL (South African online newspaper) has recently launched an online resource on HIV/AIDS in South Africa. It contains information about treatment and therapy, vaccines and science, living with HIV/AIDS, statistics, workplace policy and law, and lots more. You can read more at http://www.iolhivaids.co.za/.

How do I become a game ranger / conservation guide?

2005-11-29T02:18:00.000-08:00

As with most jobs, skills are required and one should successfully complete the necessary theoretical and practical training. Most game ranger jobs require experience, so you may need to volunteer your services at first. Our training partner in South Africa offers a four week practical training course in Limpopo, which also has access to online theoretical training. Another option is a one-year course that includes both theoretical and practical training, throughout South Africa. Two-year (or more) diplomas / degrees in Game Ranger and Lodge Management are available from various South African universities.

Our training partner in South Africa adds, "We are in constant communication with several lodges and employment agencies that often contact us in connection with vacancies they may have and we in turn then submit any CV's we have on file. Once you have completed the course it is advisable for you to e-mail your CV to keep on file."

Also for your interest, we've included some online job centres in South Africa. The links have been provided below to assist you, but have nothing to do with Marvic Tours and Tales, you make use of them entirely at your own risk.
Best Jobs South Africa http://www.bestjobs.co.za/bt-jobs.htm
Job Mail South Africa http://www.jobmail.co.za/pub/jobseeker/browse/?_SECTION=9&_CATEGORY=73
Job Index South Africa http://www.thejobindex.co.za/main.php?doc=content.php&modMnu=0

South Africa enters High Season (and High Temperatures)

2005-11-26T00:02:00.000-08:00

Incredible to think through our snowy and blustery weather, that South Africa is entering the festive season in 30 degrees Celcius! We've had word from our backpacker's bus operator that things are getting really busy and guests are recommended to book their seats at least three days in advance to avoid disappointment.

Speak out against the mass killings of elephants now

2005-11-18T00:09:00.000-08:00

(Source: IFAW http://www.ifaw.org)

Thousands of elephants in South Africa’s Kruger National Park need your help. The largest land mammal on earth, elephants are extremely intelligent, social and grieve tremendously for the loss of family members. Can you imagine these majestic creatures being herded into family groups by helicopters, and then shot in the head by marksmen?

This population control measure (cull) by lethal means is exactly what is being proposed by South Africa National Parks (SANParks) in order to protect the vegetation of the park from a perceived overpopulation of elephants. But culling is a cruel, unethical and scientifically unsound practice that does not consider the welfare implications to elephant society as a whole, which is why it has been banned in South Africa since an international outcry halted the practice in 1994.

The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is due to make a final decision on elephant culling by the end of the year. That’s why we need you to send South Africa a message urging the government to reject culling elephants in Kruger National Park right now.

It is said that elephants never forget. Let’s make sure South Africa doesn’t forget why it banned the culling of elephants in the first place.

See our press release: "Elephant families in the Kruger National Park are facing the gallows as South Africa's Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism appeals for national and international support of the plan to cull thousands of elephants over the next five years."

Approaching Dangerous Wildlife

2005-09-29T05:34:00.000-07:00

We have had the privilege of visiting Kruger [National Park] many times while we lived in South Africa, and nothing beats seeing wild animals like lion, buffalo, leopard and of course the magnificent elephant up-close and personal, from the safety of your vehicle or on a guided walk, and as with any dangerous situation, information is the key to a safe encounter.

Understanding the danger signs is paramount when looking at wildlife. For example, when an elephant starts flapping its ears more than the heat of the day requires ... just back away, especially if there are young elephants nearby. Many visitors also mistake a lion’s apparent docility under the mid-day sun to mean that they are tame and cuddly, don’t be fooled, they can attack in half a second.

You can learn more about wildlife in a 28-day practical game ranging training course. It covers exciting topics like animal tracks and tracking, approaching dangerous game, rifle handling, bush skills and survival, setting up a bush camp and much more. For more information, see http://www.marvic.biz/tours/ecotrain.htm.

Too many elephants in Kruger Park?

2005-09-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

The Parks Board (SANPARK) has submitted an Elephant Management report to the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk, which includes the option of culling 1000's of elephants over a period of five years [numbers not confirmed]. From a census, it is estimated that close to 12 500 elelphants live in the Kruger National Park.

Culling was used to maintain the elephant population within the "carrying capacity" of the national park [approximately 7 500 elephants] until 1995, when it was stopped due to national and international opposition. “I would rather not do culling, and this is the view of the government as well. But there comes a time when not doing anything is not good enough,” said van Schalkwyk.

The report also says that culling is needed to conserve biological diversity in protected areas and to support sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of communities, such as processing carcasses, canning plants and butcheries, and in carving tusks and bones, elephant hair products and other by-products.

Michelle Henley from the Associated Private Nature Reserves recently told the international NGO called Save the Elephants, “While the concept of a static carrying capacity within a dynamic environment has no scientific basis, the idea that Kruger can only support a population of 7 000 elephants has nevertheless become deeply entrenched within the minds of the general public.”

Report to the Minister: Environmental Affairs and Tourism on developing Elephant Management Plans for National Parks with recommendations on the process to be followed. Download the report in MS Word or Adobe PDF format.

Mountains of Colour

2005-09-29T05:05:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung in South Africa! One of our valued subscribers sent us this beautiful picture (http://www.marvic.biz/images/Westcoast-Wildflowers-2005.jpg) of the West Coast Wild Flowers in Cape Town, South Africa. You can be there in person to witness next year's flower carpet, look at http://www.marvic.biz/tours/116-wildflowers.htm.

Hunting Debate

2005-08-16T02:25:00.000-07:00

The Hunting Safari Remains an Emotive and Controversial Topic

From time to time we come across requests for a hunting safari. We don't promote hunting and believe in conservation of the natural environment and heritage. It’s amazing to see nature in its purest form. You can feel the energy in the air and when you become in tune with the electric vibe, it’s exciting to spend a day in the African Bush (or longer if you’re lucky).

From a personal perspective, I cannot see the joy or sense of achievement of killing such beautiful creatures, especially using the latest high-tech gadgets from kilometers away. I don’t understand trophy hunters at all. It's a different story if you're hunting for the table, like our ancestors did and some tribes still do.

If hunting skills could be measured, then the Khoi San African tribes are the business! Their knowledge of nature and wildlife is amazing. They are hunter/gatherers who follow their prey on foot, using bows and arrows. They use stealth and wit to get within a few hundred meters of their prey, and naturally nothing gets wasted. Every bit of the animal is utilized for food, clothing and shelter.

As hunting is such an emotive and controversial subject, we encourage you to join in the great hunting debate. If you are pro-hunting, then please share your views and explain what the benefits are that can be derived. Anti hunting lobbies are also welcome to share why they disagree with hunting.

Travelling South Africa in a foreign language

2005-07-08T05:46:00.000-07:00

It's only since we've moved to the Netherlands and another language, that I've been able to comprehend what it's like to be in an environment where a language other than your mother tongue is spoken - it's extremely difficult! (see our article, Humbled by Language)

Our website is in English and we understand that it must be difficult for non-English-speaking visitors to enjoy its content or the exciting authentic adventures in South Africa. The solution? Having a multi-lingual team at hand would be ideal ... but it's just too costly at this stage, so we've comprimised!

Altavista have a really handy tool called Babel Fish, which we've added to most of our pages. It's a really funky automatic translation tool. When you're on a page that you'd like more clarity on, click on the little flag of your country and it automatically translates the entire page - in less than a minute! Wow!

Not completely accurate, it does however provide the reader with the 'gist' of the story that is perhaps more clear than their understanding of the foreign language. It must be said however, that the original text is the accurate version and for all legal purposes, would hold up in court.

We hope you enjoy seeing our content in your favourite language, it's great fun - do try it out.

Freedom Charter - 50 Years Old

2005-06-25T00:34:00.000-07:00

As the struggle for freedom reached a new intensity in the early fifties, the ANC saw the need for a Freedom Charter - a vision for a united, non-racial and democratic South Africa.

"The determination made by the Freedom Charter, that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white, now also reflected in our Constitution, decisively repudiated the dismal future for our country that those who had superior weapons had sought to impose," said South African President Thabo Mbeki.

"As we engage in these celebrations [Ed: 50th anniversary], we will also reaffirm that the victory of the perspective advanced by the Freedom Charter means that there will never again be the kind of conflict exemplified by the skirmish at Mossel Bay in 1488. Instead, our people will continue to strive to work together in the true partnership of which Chief Luthuli spoke, together to eradicate the legacy of centuries of colonialism and apartheid and build a South Africa that truly belongs to all who live in it, united in their diversity," Mbeki said.

Dream Diving in KZN and TOFO (NEW!!)

2005-06-20T00:24:00.000-07:00

Don't know about you ... but diving with whale sharks and manta rays has been one of my dreams for a very long time, and it ranks high on my list of "things to do before I die". We are therefore delighted to announce our new partnership with tour operator Scuba Addicts, based in Durban (KwaZulu Natal, South Africa) - scuba travellers can enjoy a spectacular 14-day adventure diving and safari vacation.

"Where in the world can you dive with mantas, tiger sharks, Zambezi [bull] sharks and cuddly ragged tooth sharks, dolphins, turtles, rays, the list is endless and lets not forget the humpback whales on the way out / back to the beach, in the morning and then in the afternoon go and see rhino, hippos, elephants, giraffe, zebra, again the list is endless? There is nowhere in the world like it."

Travellers are met at Durban's International airport and transported to log cabins on KZN's South Coast. The first week provides plentiful scuba diving on Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks and a safari at Hluhluwe Imfolozi (the oldest game reserve). The adventure then heads north with great diving in Sodwana Bay (a.k.a. 'soddies' pronounced 'soredeez') and then gets a lot more rustic as travellers are transported to Tofo Beach in Mozambique.

Tofo Beach is situated about 465 kms north of Maputo and about 25 kms from Inhambane. The area is pristine, surrounded by palm trees with miles of sandy beaches. The diving in the area is fantastic, the reefs are in awesome condition, untouched during 17-years of civil war but the main attraction is the abundance of huge manta rays and whale sharks. In the winter months, the annual migration of the humpback whales makes for some fantastic close-up encounters.

Travellers also have the choice of doing this adventure in reverse, i.e. fly from Johannesburg to Inhambane aiport, join the group and head back down the coast to Durban. Groups are kept to a minimum (between 1 and 9) to ensure the best level of service and personal attention.

"Just to let you know I got back on Sunday. Well I had a fantastic time in S.A. I thought the tour ran like clockwork and was very well organised, thanks for your hospitality and service, I had a great introdution to Africa that has whetted the appetite for more. I will certainly recommend ScubaAddicts to other divers." Cheers ANDY ROBERTS (LONDON, UK) "P.S. I brought some biltong back to the office & it didn't go down well!!" [Marvic: Biltong is a South African speciality of spicy dried meat ... once the taste is acquired, it's difficult to let go.]

African Myth and Legends

2005-06-14T23:01:00.000-07:00

Recapturing past events and sharing our beliefs has got to be man's greatest triumph.

As with all great nations, South African history has also been handed down from one generation to the next, with tales being told by campfire or during a communal village meeting or while out on a hunt. Some of our favourite myths are about our favourite animal, the majestic African Elephant.

"Indigenous people speak about the pair of 'wisdom sticks' that the elephant carries on either side of his temples. They believe that these sticks enable the elephant to know the time and place of its own death. That is why they believe that very old tuskers are often seen without their herd, preferring to find a hiding place to die, thus maintaining their dignity, as they wish to die alone and in peace."

Feel free to check out other myths and legends on our website, or perhaps you'd like to meet these wonderful creatures in person ... up close?

Pick 'n Mix Holiday Adventures

2005-06-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

Guests booking their holiday adventures with one of our partners are given the utmost flexibility to plan their vacation itinerary.

The internet has changed the way we travel and most people now book their flights online. In fact, many travel agents have closed down some branches or offices due to this phenomenon. Some websites offer international flights, some offer fly/drive packages, and other sites are great for booking international accommodation. Our website focuses on the nitty gritty of an exotic destination ... the local experience.

We offer a variety of one-day excursions in and around the magnificent Cape Town region, including Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, the penguin colony at Boulder's Beach, Simonstown, Cape Peninsular, Cape Point, West Coast and of course the fertile Winelands. Guests can pick 'n mix the experiences they wish to partake in.

We also offer extended adventures comprising of a few days / nights, which include accommodation and transport. These adventures extend a little further down the track ... some head east along the breathtaking Garden Route towards the Addo Elephant Park and others head north towards the spectacular Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

Our tour operator partners in South Africa are also very helpful in offering local advice and recommending the best options for the time of year that you'd like to visit the rainbow nation. Marvic Tours and Tales further enhance your online booking experience by adding handy links to affiliate websites on the relevant pages e.g. accommodation / flights.

"Come to South Africa, and meet the friendly locals!"

A spring fever to catch? It's time to act!

2005-06-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

People in the northern hemisphere are used to definite seasonal changes, as each season is normally made up of three months each. However in South Africa things are a little different! Summer usually lasts for about 7-8 months with autumn, winter and spring making up the balance. In fact, some of South Africa's winter temperatures are even better than central European summer temperatures (see our average weather chart). Okay, the point of all this weather talk is that when spring does spring, it's brief and people stand up and take note :-)

The West Coast Wild Flower spectacle is world-famous and people from all the corners of the globe flock to this arid land that's been turned into a carpet of flowers. This time of the year also brings in the magnificent Humpback and Southern Right whales, that grace these waters to meet their mates and to calve.

Life After Apartheid

2005-06-11T01:18:00.000-07:00

More than 10 years have passed since South Africa's first democratic election, and much has been done to rectify the sombre effects from the apartheid era. Crime is still a problem, houses are still too few, there's still a lack of running water or ablutions for many South Africans. However, it's not as bad as it was and things are on the mend.

Why not visit South Africa yourself and discover first hand how the locals have experienced the transition from oppression to freedom? You can see how people are moving forward and are following Nelson Mandela's example of attaining resolution instead of restitution; an attitude that has earned him world-wide awe and respect.

The Cape Care Route is made up of 21 individual destinations situated in and around the greater Cape Town area, each one showcasing their unique ability to promote the link between people, culture and the environment.

Our Guests are shown how the communities are uplifting themselves, improving their quality of life, developing skills to build their own homes, growing food & vegetables, turning waste materials into arts & crafts, recycling waste and simultaneously rehabilitating and protecting sensitive ecological systems.

An important focus of the Cape Care Route is on projects that show how the partnerships between our Guests, business, government and the communities themselves are helping to protect the rich natural resources of Cape Town and provide healthier and cleaner living environments in poor communities.

Join us for a day and see what a difference your visit makes!

What are authentic adventures?

2005-06-10T23:49:00.000-07:00

Can you remember the first time you travelled? It was so exciting ... the airports, terminals, getting dropped off, booking in your luggage ... you took photo's of everything. "Me at the terminal", "Us having a pre-flight drink", "Our window seat that we were fighting over", etc. And that was just the flight! Sadly, the flight itself has nowadays become commonplace, almost the same as driving a car.

Our holiday expectations have moved to the destination. "What can we expect? What are the people like? Is it safe? What's the food like? Is it clean? What can we do when we're there?" With information freely available the Internet has helped a lot in this regard, but no amount of books, videos and brochures can replace the actual experience.

Organised group tour packages ... we're all familiar with these well-worn, cheap and cheerful, vacations. When you're at the destination, the locals often focus entirely on the tourist market so that you don't get to experience the real country. For most people wanting a quick get-away, this option is great -it's a no-brainer, where everyone goes with the flow.

On the other hand, authentic adventures are uniquely designed for the traveller who wants to discover the real country, behind the usual tourist facade. As hotels / touring coaches / meal arrangements haven't been block-booked for cheaper rates, authentic adventures also cost more than their well-worn cousins. There are no pre-determined times of departure / arrival and they're often long haul destinations, like South Africa.

These experiences still conjour up feelings of nostalgia and rekindle our romance with travelling. They're considered exotic ... and they should be, it's often taken a day or two to get there! We still think that's half the fun, trying to catch 40 winks with your knees twisted behind your ears while you're flying over the Sahara.

We recommend that travellers partake in a 'red bus tour' (shows most common tourist spots, hop-on / hop-off bus ticket normally valid for the whole day) on arrival and stay put for the entire 2-3 hour route, for a quick orientatation and overall perspective. But from there, we're into "real experiences" - where you really discover the unique destination, where the locals hang out, off the beaten track.

Our adventures are provided by an insider who can share these secret spots, and introduce you to the real people of South Africa. You can see the past from their perspective and how they're facing the future. The most important thing is to experience this country through their eyes, take in the smells as they would and to live a snapshot of another's life.

Authentic experiences are what separate the traveller from the tourist.

"A traveller sees what he sees, a tourist sees what he's come to see." - Unknown

Great White Shark Cage Diving - MOST POPULAR!

2005-06-06T01:54:00.000-07:00

Cage diving with Great White Sharks is the most popular adventure activity in South Africa! More people ask about cage diving with these awesome beasts than any other adventure we have on offer (and there are lots).

To join us for this scary adventure in Shark Alley, you don't need to be a scuba diver, but you must be comfortable in the water. It is carried out by our responsible tour operator partner in Gansbaai (South Africa), who treats the sharks in a humane manner.

We do not encourage the use of chum nor baiting the sharks, as this could affect their behaviour towards man. The safety of our Guests and wildlife is our primary concern. Check out our website, to learn more about Great White Sharks (animal facts) and about this exciting adventure (cage diving).

"Come to South Africa and meet the friendly locals!"

Introduction to Marvic Tours and Tales

2005-06-06T00:53:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, we'd like to introduce ourselves. I'm Victoria Koning and am in partnership with my husband, Marcel Koning. We started our business, Marvic VOF (Vennootschap Onder Firma - Dutch for partnership) in 2001. It's registered as both a flooring installation company and a web-based tourism and writing business that we're building. Marcel handles the workload on the flooring side, and I do the web stuff.

Marcel is Dutch (born in Emmen) and spent his youth in South Africa. He lived in Holland for five years from 1990 before returning to South Africa, and has over 18 years of experience in the building / carpentry / flooring industry. I was born in Cape Town and have lived all over South Africa, and also have 18+ years of working experience.

2001 was a big year for us, as we "quit our day jobs" in January, got married in March, took some "time-out" and then moved to the Netherlands from South Africa. I followed the 'inburgeringscursus' and learned about Holland and how to speak Dutch. Fortunately, Marcel hit the ground running with the flooring side, after having built up a good reputation from when he lived here before.

Our website Marvic Tours and Tales (http://www.marvic.biz) focuses on authentic adventures in South Africa, because we believe that tourism has so much to offer everyone involved. Guests can experience 'real' travel experiences and at the same time help local South Africans improve their quality of life from the money they've earned.

Responsible and sustainable tourism is the way to go!

We'll be posting updates about various tours and latest news and events, and welcome feedback from readers. What do you think of our site? Is it easy to navigate? How can we improve it? We look forward to hearing from you.With best regards, Victoria and Marcel Koning