The Sea Beckons

There's something about the sea which I can't fathom. I can sit for hours by the sea and just look at the vast expanse of water. It's so soothing and I am at peace with myself.

My imaginations take me to the adventures the boats sailing by out to the sea would have....or to the adventures the boats docked at the dockyard must have had. Far far from the maddening crowd of the society that we live in today, especially true in large bustling cities and towns.....the vast ocean is so calming to the senses.

The sea fascinates me....and beckons me to come again and again...and I will....another day....

An interesting day....by the sea!

I went for my walk by the sea. It was a beautiful day and the weather was lovely! With the wind blowing against my face & whipping my loose hair......I walked on......enjoying my solitude walk. Only my dark Armani glasses protected my eyes against the glint of the sun.....as well as, I am assuming.....my identity!

There were quite a few people that I recognized from my Office....by the sea....enjoying the weather. Onward from the Marina Crescent...I walked....and left the crowded promenade. Soon I realized that I was being followed....not scared as it's broad daylight and I could see people in the distance....just irritated....I walked fast....and then slow. He crossed me and mumbled..."It's beautiful day." The accent was Arabic....I ignored him.....though I couldn't agree with him more....

In the distance I saw a man throwing a net out to the sea. When I reached the spot where the man was, I shouted whether he had caught anything. He showed me his bucket....there were a few fishes that he had caught. I stood for a while...he threw the net again....and voila! he caught one more fish!


I turned back for home from here. The stalker had caught up with me again....he had witnessed my conversation with the fisherman. As I passed him....he again mumbled something about feeling hungry and wanting to have fish. Loser! I said to myself............and then broke into a jog......

A walk by the seaside, Kuwait Corniche

I enjoy walking......and walking by the seaside...with the wind blowing against my face.....is so invigorating! The vast expanse of the sea.........makes me wonder.....of the unknown beyond and beneath. The air around smells of the seaweed which has been left behind after the high tide.... and is now, slowing turning rotten.

I see a couple of individual Arab women...........the young one, complete in a track suit walking briskly while chatting fervently on her mobile.....the other, older lady in hijab and as she walks, I spy her latest sneakers on her feet.

Then, there's the lone white guy, in shorts & music in his ears cycling away furiously. There are also these young couples strolling by. As I walk, I come across a couple of Ice-cream sellers - the ones on tricycles. Apart from the ice-creams, they also sell water & juices. In addition, there are also a few men just hanging around.... smoking ...watching people go by...

In the distance, I see the Scientific Center which is built right on the waterfront. It also houses the Dhow Harbour and has quite a few of the historic Dhows which are traditional Arab sailing vessels. The place is built in the shape of these Dhows. The view looks wonderful...can't resist....take my mobile phone out and shoot this picture. Beautiful!?

A Stranger's Just a Friend You Haven't Met?

Someone told me long ago........and I read it too, somewhere.....
"A Stranger's just a friend you haven't met." This is partly true, I would say.

I remember in my school days, it was a craze to have Pen Pals. I too had a couple and through many letters & photographs exchanged, they would come live to me and were no longer strangers....... they were my friends. Now, even in my day to day work life, I deal with people who actually I haven't met but through emails........sometime non-work related.. just venting out our frustrations........ chat over the phone......we are friends....... and not strangers!

Yes, sometimes.....through words.....writen or spoken....one can reach out.... A Stranger then.....remains no longer Stranger!

So go on....say "Hello" to the next stranger that you meet on your next travel. I have been fortunate to have met some interesting travellers with whom I am still in touch.....thanks to the internet!

Seeing "Lucy" in Addis

A group of us travelling from Johannesburg missed our respective connecting flights in Addis Ababa.............. and so we had no choice but to stay the night in Ethiopia. We were put up at the Hilton. Thank God! At least the stay would be clean, comfortable & safe!

The next day we had ample time to take in the sights of the city as our respective connecting flights was only late in the evening. After breakfast, Anne, a Norwegian girl who was on the same flight and I decided to take a walk down to the Ethiopian National Museum which was not so far away. I'm glad we did. The weather was lovely and the conversations along the way was very enlightening.

The Museum houses numerous relics and archaeological artifacts from prehistoric times but of course the most famous is the 3.5 million year old skeleton of "Lucy" which is supposed to be the oldest hominid ever discovered. This is housed at the basement.........probably for better protection? It was an awesome sight coming face to face with someone who lived millions of years ago.

Only that........... what we saw was just the cast/replica/copy of the real one. The real "Lucy" is safe in a lab.........somewhere in Addis.

Kuwait

It is in Kuwait especially that racism is prevalent openly and encouraged by the citizens who are really proud (of what? Heaven Knows) and think that they are the best in the world. The oil boom in the 50s saw that all citizens are provided extensively – free education, free healthcare and a guaranteed monthly salary! Over and above, they can take all kinds of loan and then have their Ministers in the Parliament pleading that the Citizens’ Loan be written off! ....Loans which were taken for buying luxury cars or going for a vacation to exotic places!

....sorry, got side tracked...coming to the topic in discussion....so you can see why the locals are so proud....all work is being done by the Expat workers while they lead an easy life! Therefore they think they are the Masters and the Expats are the servants! Majority of the workforce is from Asian countries where labour is cheap...........the domestic workers, public cleaners, drivers, shop assistants, etc. These are the people who are treated the worse! Even amongst the Arab nationals they categorize and look down upon those coming from the poorer countries....and are here trying to earn & make some savings! So much for equality....

The Wine Route...in Cape Town!

Being in South Africa and not doing the Wine Routes would be unforgiving! Personally, this was the best part of the visit……..the wine tasting! Helen, an Afrikaner from Johannesburg and I drove down…. to some of the finest Wine Estates of South Africa.

Our first stop was NEETHLINGSHOF which is just outside the town of Stellenbosch. The long Pine Avenue leading you to the estate is simply stunning and pictures do not do justice. A picture of the same is reflected in the wine bottles from this estate. We stopped to click pictures for posterity and savoured the view to be locked forever in our memory.

We did our first wine tasting……

Joe was our Wine Guide……….is that what one would call him? Got our first tips on being a Wine Connoisseur……….. the tipping, the sniffing and the rolling of the wine. The RED and the WHITE wines ….Classic Cabernet Sauvignon, Lord Neethling Pinotage…. We tasted 7 or was it 9? different wines. We graded the wines to our liking…..taste, smell, …and Joe of course helped us in distinguishing what the wine was all about and why it was famous and won a particular award and many other things. Not having the heart for spitting such good wines out…. as “Wine Tasters” would do, we left Neethlingshof with a warm, nice & light feeling and a couple of bottles of wines!

Next, KANONKOP – where the big guns roar! That’s what they say and at the gate of the estate there is a huge canon placed and smaller versions scattered everywhere, once when you get in.

At Kanonkop our Wine Hostess ……….I’m trying out different names to call these Professionals………. was a lovely lady by the name of Tina. She took us through some of the estate’s famous red wines….and we now knew why Kanonkop Estate’s Pinotage is so famous!

At the entrance of the doorway there is an interesting inscription explaining what the Pinotage is all about!

“Pinotage is the juice extracted from women’s tongues and lions’ hearts. After having a sufficient quantity one can talk forever and fight the devil.”

Onwards, we drove to the MURATIE WINE ESTATE. The farm echoes old-world hospitality and the environment from the olden days…..as if left untouched……….complete with cobwebs!
We just looked around as we had decided not to taste any more…….we had to get back without getting lost……….Helen was driving while I was navigating……with a map on my lap!

Don't miss the cobwebs all over the place!

At the gateway to the Franschhoek valley lies the legendary farm of Boschendal and this is where we headed finally. "Bossendaal" (wood and dale) farm, one of the oldest wine producers with a French viticultural heritage.

We soaked in the Art….exhibited (one could buy too!) right next to the café…….looked at the curios & of course the wines!

Lunch was at the Le Café.....outside in the dappled shade of the spreading oaks. Perfect weather & delicious food and far from the Madding Crowd!

After soaking in as much as we could we headed back via Franschhoek Town …………a day filled with wonderful experience that will live with us.... came to an end.

Wandering around Cape Town

I flew into Cape Town to do a bit of solo travelling and I did not regret it at all. After checking into the bed and breakfast place I was all ready to for some exploring.

I took the local buses wherever I could and I also used the "Hop On Hop Off" bus to look around. 

One of the Hop On Hop Off bus stop. Had to get off to soak in the view!

View from Table Mountain!

Castle of Good Hope

Table Mountain

Nelson Mandela......towered over me too!

In 2007 when I travelled to South Africa, while in Johannnesburg, I got to visit the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton City. And of course as you can see, the old man towered over me too! Nelson Mandela's life story is one of inevitable triumph. He was a symbol of struggle for justice, equality & dignity not only in South Africa but around the world. He will be truly missed.

Coming so far, I had to see Robben Island, an island Internationally known for the fact that Nobel Laureate and Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela was imprisoned here. So I flew to Cape Town and from the harbour took the boat to the island....Robben Island. 

Nelson Mandela was on this island for 18 out of the 27 years he was imprisoned. Seeing the tiny cell where he lived and the stone quarry where he had to work come rain or shine.....it was truly a humbling experience.

Robben Island Prison Entrance

The Prison

The Stone Quarry

Nelson Mandela's cell

Around Durban

South Africa, breath taking ….rolling hills and vast stretches of pristine beaches……. a real picturesque destination! I was there beginning of the year…for 4 weeks! Johannesburg…. Durban…. Sun City… Pretoria …. Cape Town ……..I enjoyed all!

Somewhere in Kwazulu Natal

Durban Beach 

Well meaning “advises” from friends & strangers poured in when they heard that I was travelling to South Africa. Reaching here even the locals – the Whites & the Indians cautioned me to be “careful”…..to be wary of the Blacks! Why? I hate this racial segregation! In spite of my liberal outlook, I couldn’t help clinging on to my handbag especially when a Black Man passed by. Who was to blame? Myself? The people? The environment? Believe me, I tried but still ended up being prejudiced.