You can now watch the Postcard video by clicking on the picture below or by taking the link – Video – Watch the Postcard video.
Postcard video has arrived
April 8th, 2010Feeling hot, hot, hot
March 8th, 2010Remember back on day one when we told you it was 37 degrees? Ok, well add another TEN DEGREES onto that and you have Sunday in Cape Town. The city is going through an amazing heat wave at the moment. It’s going to be a shock to our poor little systems setting down on English soil again!
Today we visited the vineyards of Cape Town. The area of Stellenbosch is home to several wine manufacturers, and the group got to taste several glasses of this amazing produce. After a tour of the cellars, an informative explanation about various wines and how they are made and an obligatory drink of several glasses of wine, it was back on the coach and off to picnic in the heart of the beautiful countryside.
Funnily enough, most people took advantage of the coach trip back to the hotel to have a little nap. 47 degrees + wine + good food = sleepy Distributors.
There was a couple of hours to sort out their sleepy heads and then it was Gala Dinner time. Dressed to the nines, we spent a fantastic night at the 221 Waterfront restaurant and danced the night away. Tomorrow’s the last day. We’d be sad if we didn’t have Hong Kong and all of your great company there to look forward to!
Sharks, shopping and sunbathing
March 8th, 2010Ah, a day of leisure. For many, after jam-packed days of seeing the very best that Cape Town had to offer (and jam-packed nights of seeing what the bartenders had to offer), it was a struggle to get from the sun-loungers to the pool (don’t you feel sorry for them?).
Others took advantage of the many excursions that were on offer. Many hopped it onto a boat out to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was famously imprisoned for so many years. The tour was given by an ex-political prisoner and was a fascinating insight into such an important part of South African history.
However, the very daring went on a shark diving excursion! With only a cage to protect them, they were lowered down into the water with the dangerous creatures. “They were so graceful,” exclaimed Lee Fisher. Don’t think they would be if they were chomping on your arm, Lee….
The weather was once again glorious, so many visited the craft markets to buy presents for friends and family. There’s such a buzz at the Waterfront here that simply walking around is an experience in itself.
Once everyone had returned back to the hotel (we made doubly sure on account of the shark diving), it was off to Baia, Cape Town’s premier fish restaurant. Yum is all we have to say!
Cape Town brainteaser 5: Which Distributor nipped off after the restaurant to perform a little karaoke at a local bar?
Ordinary people living extraordinary lives
March 5th, 2010Today has been probably the most emotional there has ever been on any Destination. We’re feeling inspired, humbled and determined to do some great things.
This incredibly stirring day started with the conference this morning. Held in the Banqueting Hall, everyone showed up to listen to tales from the single-minded, resolute Distributors who held onto their dream and were rewarded for their passion. Today’s speakers made us laugh and listen, as we crammed in as many notes as possible.
Congratulations to our very own Michael Khatkar, too, who was given a surprise promotion at the Conference. He is now your Director of Network Development!
We spent another beautiful buffet out on the sun-soaked terrace of the hotel and then it was back to rooms to get changed for the afternoon’s event.
The group, this afternoon, was taken to South Africa’s local townships. The history of apartheid is well-documented, but seeing the fallout from it for yourself is simply something else. We visited the shanty towns of Langa and Khayalitsha, where we dropped by on a shebeen (local bar), a nursery school and Africa’s smallest hotel. It was inspirational and entirely humbling. Slowly, the people of South Africa are regenerating these towns and with their vision, goals and beautiful spirits – they are succeeding. If you ever wanted to see an amazing example of following a dream, it was all here.
Many shed a tear at the sheer determination and joy of these people. We were greeted at the local primary school with song and dance, before meeting the key people in these communities that are making a difference.
This Destination is something else altogether. Please, please ensure you are doing everything you can to qualify for Hong Kong. You cannot miss another one. Experiences like these don’t happen every day.
Tonight the evening is ours to spend as we wish. We’ll check in tomorrow with more news. Have a great evening everyone!
Cape Town brainteaser 4: Which SED admitted at the Conference that she does an ‘orders-exceeding £100 dance’ behind the bushes of her customers’ homes?!
Almost too much fun!
March 5th, 2010We’d been having so much fun, that we arrived too late at the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens to take a complete look around at every single species of South African fauna and flora they have collected there! Oops! Ah well, we’re going to squeeze that in on Monday on the way to the airport!
However, being late did have the upside that we got to enjoy even more glasses of bubbly than were planned with our extra time – hey, you have to do what you have to do. Then we sat down and tucked into some ‘Bobotie’ – a delicious local dish – inside the Silvertree Restaurant. Followed by hot Malva pie – a delectable South African version of sticky toffee pudding! Hmmm, maybe we should have packed our elasticated trousers….
Cape Town brainteaser 3: Which Distributorship celebrated a birthday in the stunning surroundings of Silvertree Restaurant on Thursday (bonus points if you guess the right age!)
Seals, baboons and penguins – oh my!
March 4th, 2010Day two has been AMAZING. Really, our heads are just spinning with it all.
We started early this morning. First it was breakfast at the hotel (more sumptuous food? Don’t mind if we do). Then everyone got on the coaches for our next adventure.
Now, a coach ride may bring back memories for you of school trips to the Natural History Museum, but trust us – these coaches are entirely different. Firstly, they’re full of excited, mad-cap Distributors. Secondly, we have the most fabulous tour guides and an unbelievably beautiful backdrop along the way. We travelled along the Atlantic seaboard, via Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak Drive. We stopped off along the way to walk up to the viewpoint overlooking Cape Point. It was supremely beautiful. How far everyone’s come!
Then it was off to the shore. On the way we saw baboons wandering along the roads (apparently, they’re not so nice to you if you get off the coaches – but from the safety of the vehicle, everyone was enraptured with them!), as well as ostriches preening in the sun!
Once we’d reached the shore line, we were shuttled onto speed boats and went on the most exhilarating ride along the Cape Peninsula. There’s nothing more exciting/fun/thrilling than speeding along the waves under a red hot sun. The seals came out to greet us (Kleeneze-arranged of course – they didn’t think we were a fishing boat and were trying their luck to get some scraps…). A couple of high speed hand-break turns in the water and then it was back to shore to get some lunch.
A lobster lunch in the sun. Surely things couldn’t get better. Well, actually, yes they could.
After we’d feasted, we climbed back on the coaches headed for possibly one 
of the most dreamlike places there is. Boulders Beach. It’s not every day you see hundreds of penguins basking in the sun! However, just as it was on the Destination DVD, Michael’s little dinner-jacketed friends were out in full-force!
We’re back at the hotel now, catching our breath and getting ready for a trip to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before eating at the Silvertree Restaurant. We’ll tell you all about it tomorrow!
Cape Town brainteaser 2: Which Distributor had all the moves, when he jumped in to join the traditional dancers at Gold Restaurant?
We’re here!
March 4th, 201037 degrees people! That was the temperature here in Cape Town when we touched down. After a quick poll of qualifiers, the average temperature around the UK when leaving was a whopping 6 degrees. And yes, yes, we’ve heard it’s lovely over there at the moment, but we think Cape Town wins when it comes to the sunshine! Sorry!
So, firstly, apologies to those of you who have eagerly been accessing the blog to find out what your team mates have been getting up to. We’ve had some technical difficulties. However, we’re online now and we’re going to take you with us every step of the way.
Now, where were we? Oh yes, 37 degrees…However, before we bathed in the 37 degree heat we had a 12 hour flight to get through. Even that, though, was great fun. Everyone was in high spirits – and we’re not talking about the vodka variety before you jump to conclusions! It was mostly sleeping during the flight, but hey – these people have been working HARD to get here! Some of them haven’t even slept since Christmas, so it was definitely deserved! Anyway, they were going to need that sleep, because it’s been non-stop since we arrived!
First of all, it was back to the hotel to have a quick bite of lunch. And when we say ‘quick’ we mean table-groaning-buffet-full and when we say ‘bite’ we mean mouth-watering platefuls of the stuff.
The hotel is amazing. Looking out on the sea and the breathtaking Table Mountain is just surreal. After lunch, it was a quick change and then off to check out the mountain from a rather different angle!
We took a short coach ride up to the base of the mountain and then were ushered into large pods – ‘gondolas’. These revolving cable cars take you up to the top of Table Mountain, affording some stunning views on the way up. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and even we’re lost for words when it comes to describing the beauty of the place.
It was here we supped champagne as the sun went down and Michael welcomed us to the Spring Destination 2010. However, one Distributor was more excited than others! It was Vinny Tsoi who took advantage of this stunning destination to pop the question to his lovely girlfriend Lorraine Lawlor (who, of course, said yes!). It was a great moment and amazing to be part of it.
So, the very happy couple and equally happy group jumped back on the coaches for a quick tour of Cape Town before headin
g to Gold. Gold is one of Cape Town’s top restaurants and with good reason. The food was stunning – amazing African dishes in a beautiful outdoor setting. However, what was even more fantastic was the entertainment. Traditional singers and drummers took to the tables, with masked puppeteers and Distributors even had the chance to have their face painted – South African style.
It was an awesome evening. The only thing missing so far has been everyone at home. We’re hoping Hong Kong will rectify that particular problem though!
Cape Town brainteaser 1: Which Distributorship entered Cape Town dressed as Batman and Robin and why….?
(all answers in next week’s EWB!)
