The term “Out of Africa” has come to have new meaning for
me. You see, right at this very moment, I was supposed to be in Africa, and but for a nasty foot injury I would now be on a two-week trip touring South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. It was a big disappointment to have to
cancel my first trip to that continent, but there’s no reason not to take the
trip vicariously and to share it.
After two back-to-back red-eyes (first from Los Angeles to London, then from London to Cape Town), I would arrive at 7:00 a.m. and be whisked
off to the Mount Nelson Hotel.
“I have travelled a great deal in the world
... but my favourite hotel is the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town"
— Sir
Laurens van der Post
To put the above quote into context, the late Sir Laurens
was, among many other things, a political adviser to British heads of government and godfather of Prince William. So in keeping with
that glowing recommendation, the ScheckTrek pick for accommodations in Cape
Town, South Africa, is the Mount Nelson.
I didn’t look forward to the flights, but did relish the
idea of arriving at that renowned hotel—soaking in a hot tub, perhaps slipping
between some luxurious sheets for a short nap, and following up with plenty of picture
taking.
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(Photo from Orient-Express.com)
(Photo from Expedia)
A friend who’d lived in South Africa told me I had to have afternoon tea there—that tea
at the Mount Nelson is an institution—so reservations were set for 2:30.
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(Photo from Orient-Express.com)
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(Photo from Orient-Express.com)
I wouldn’t be staying for dinner. My visit to the Mount Nelson would be for
only 8 daytime hours, just a preamble to the Ntaba tour for travel agents that I
would be joining later in the afternoon.
For all the excitement that tour promised, the pace would be a demanding
one: the next 11 nights would be spent in 10 different hotels. But since I love seeing different hotels,
that would be a treat for me!
More on that next time.
Please ignore the links that blogspot has insisted on putting in for "Nelson Hotel," "flights," and "hotels."
ReplyDeleteThough among the fifty four there is quite a number that offer safari tours, not all can quite fill up your expectations. Tanzania, the country made up of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, is home to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Mt. Kilimanjaro
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteIt is really a nice hotel with lots of value added facilities like best accommodation facilities, affordable foods facilities, etc.
We are leading three star rated hotel, offering best budget hotels in Cape Town &
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