Getaway October 2021

It was a blustery evening in Table Bay, just the three of us and the skipper on the boat – plenty of opportunity to learn from the legendary wordsmith. I had recently left a career in advertising and was determined to become a travel writer. Steering clear of admitting my literary aspirations we shot the breeze, which was easy to do with Theroux, even on a rolling ocean trying to hold our drink. But he saw through me, and where I surreptitiously yearned for sage advice on travel writing, he gave me the simplest guidance possible. Theroux had just returned from a bus trip to Angola. What left the greatest impression on me was his reason for the journey. ‘I was curious,’ he said. That was it. It reminded me that the…

Graeme Green THE NEW BIG 5 (P 46) Graeme Green is a photographer and journalist whosework has appeared on international news sites and publications such as the BBC, The Guardian, USA Today, Forbes and more. Graeme’s work has taken him around the world, from the Highlands of Ethiopia to the frozen north of Japan, photographing some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. Graeme is also the founder of the New Big 5 project, an international conservation initiative that set out to create aNew Big 5 ofWildlife Photography, rather than hunting. The global project is supported by more than 250 of the world’s photographers, conservationists and wildlife charities. graeme-green.com@graeme.green @graeme.green newbig5.com@newbig5project @newbig5project Louzel Lombard Steyn SAY CHEESE (P 108) Louzel Lombard Steyn loves to eat and will follow her nose to the far ends of Earth if there’s…

AS HIGH AS A KITE As people take to the outdoors and play under summer skies, we are inspired by the Cape Town International Kite Festival which brings a kaleidoscope of colour to the big blue. Kites were invented nearly 3000 YEARS AGO in China where materials ideal for kite building – silk fabric and resilient bamboo for the framework – were readily available. More adults than children fly kites. Over the years, kites have been used to DELIVER MESSAGES, RAISE BANNERS, CATCH FISH, SPY ON ENEMIES, SEND RADIO SIGNALS, MEASURE WEATHER AND EVEN PHOTOGRAPH EARTH. The modern ram-air parachute and paraglider were developed from a parafoil kite invented by the American kite maker, Domina Jalbert, in 1963. TYPES OF KITES DELTA The Delta kite is shaped like a triangle with a keel holding the spine straight and rigid…

2 October 1869 - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born in Gujarat, India. After training as a lawyer in London, Gandhi came to South Africa in 1893 to represent an Indian merchant in a lawsuit. He went on to live in the country for 21 years, and it was here that he developed his practice of satyagraha, a particular form of nonviolent resistance, in campaigns for civil rights. 11 October 1899 - The South African War, also known as the Second Anglo-Boer War, shaped the history of the country. The discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand, the Jameson Raid and tension between political leaders were just a few factors that led to this conflict. 1 October 1975 - Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier after 14 brutal rounds in what…

TOPS AT SPAR WINE SHOW, PRETORIA 30 September–2 October The Pretoria Tops at Spar Wine Show promises an exciting range of mainstream and boutique wine producers at this year’s event. 10times.com/wine-show-pretoria MAXI-RACE CAPE WINELANDS 1–3 October More than just a trail race, the Maxi-Race Cape Winelands takes you on an adventure of self-discovery around the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek regions. Regardless of your level or your goals, there is an event for everyone. From the Maxi Race 75km, Maxi Marathon 45km, Maxi Short 20km to the Maxi Dash 13km, you can choose the right race for you. maxirace.co.za AMASHOVA DURBAN CLASSIC 24 October The Amashova is one of the safest but toughest and most gruelling cycling events in the country. The 106km route starts at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finishes in Durban. shova.co.za HALLOWEEN TRAIL RUN 31 October Dress up in your scariest Halloween…

WINNING LETTER Sunshine Coast Many thanks for a superb July issue of Getaway; you have really excelled again this month and it’s truly jampacked with information, pics, destinations, the lot. It would be fantastic if you could – at some point – do an article on the Sunshine Coast near East London. It’s truly an unspoilt Eden. The quaint seaside town of Kidd’s Beach with its awesome lagoon, the Palm Springs Holiday Resort on the Mlele River Mouth and the awesome Ncera River would make for great material. The bonus is that this area is 28km south of East London on the R72. Here’s hoping you will entertain this request and, again, thank you for a magnificent magazine. Tony Stathakis Pretoria Africa’s iron horses I was captivated by the article Africa’s Iron Horses by Anton…