Thursday 13 December 2018

I live here now! So can you. Look up Glenread Sleepover - Penthouse flat with a view on Airbnb


First off, I wanna thank @ceceolisa for inspiring me to celebrate this huge accomplishment!
My first flat. A penthouse flat with a spectacular view. It has 5 bedrooms and I only need 1, so the rest are open for rentals, you may have seen the ad on Instagram a while back: https://www.instagram.com/p/BlFsMbrBlqcNwTLZwlLJ3vK8wuQTG249788Xok0/
Let me give you a quick photo tour
 I opted for this dining room set, simply because I stay with university students who tend to break things (don't tell them I said this about them - they are good kids and i love and appreciate them), so I couldn't have expensive furniture or things that can break easily. The Grapefruits on the table are from Mnakile Zwane and the orchid from my sister Nonjabulo Eensue.
 A view from outside the flat. This place has helped me overcome my fear of heights.

 The balcony, my pride and joy! It is so big. It is definitely bigger than my previous rented apartment. I enjoy chilling out here. Sometimes I just sit and pray or clear my head just nje.

 The "before picture" of the lounge area. A lot has happened since moving into this place in mid-July

This is where I throw down!


The laundry room has got to be my favourite room in this whole house. I get my things clean and smelling good right here.


So I recently registered my property on Airbnb. check it out: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/30459590?s=51 

Wednesday 12 December 2018

Getting real for just a few minutes. #BeingBlessed

So yesterday I felt overcome with gratitude. At this time of the year, I usually just sit and reflect on the kind of year I have had. A lot of good happened this year.
So I did a long Instagram post, which ended up being about Dave. I guess I gave him props, which he so deserves.

This is what I posted on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/p/BrS12u1H4GDjZGDYUFGbJonsQoxfGrL14uRYt00/ 
I am letting the universe and the powers that be know that I am grateful. I appreciate all that I have gone through, especially this year. I am especially grateful for the people that have stuck by me through it all. Dave has been an angel and a catalyst for my growth. I would love to hate him sometimes but he has shown me that life can be fun and serious at the same time. He has shown me that people can love and grossly misunderstand each other all at the same time. That you can have your space and still enjoy someone's company. That you can come back from whatever catastrophic situation you may find yourself in. That you can give advice and push people to reach their goals but not impose yourself on them when they reach there. "Umbeki wenkosi akabusi nayo" was just a saying before the Dave experience but he was able to demonstrate this to me. 
Finally what I appreciate the most is the many lessons I have learned in my trying times. 2018 has been a year of growth. 
When the year started I declared war on the devil and boy did he bring it! I 'm standing, with unshaken faith in God the almighty one. From now on I will celebrate and praise God regardless of the minor hiccups along the way. I laugh at the word 'minor'.
God bless you for reading this long epistle, St Paul has got nothing on me shem. #blessed #highlyfavoured #GodLovesMe #ILoveGod #grateful #gratitudeiskey #gratitude #lessonslearned #thankGod

I also did a youtube post. Listen, I'm on top of this thing!!! The spirit of the Lord was upon me chile. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv5wwrKc8Yc
I am coming to a realization that I am blessed. I am the type of person who focuses on getting things right and winning but that's not how God operates. You can totally miss your blessings because they dont come wrapped up in the kind or form that you desire and expect.

Starting from the bottom, there's only one direction I'm going. UP!

Saturday 8 December 2018

Review of Tancredi B&B - Scottsville, KZN

Had a nice stay at Trancedi

Review of Tancredi B&B
Reviewed 11 November 2015

Clean, secure, friendly hostess and great breakfast!
I arrived early and could leave my luggage while I go out for shopping. It is located in Scottsville, not far from the mall and the casino. The welcome letter was a nice touch.
I have gone back to Tancredi a couple of times since this review and I will choose them again, if I should require a place to stay in Pietermaritzburg again.

Crawdaddy's - Tzaneen

The best thing to come out of load-shedding!

We had booked into a guesthouse in Tzaneen during the worst load-shedding week of 2015. With our meal vouchers in hand, we navigated our way to Crawdaddy's. We marvelled at the quirkiness of the decor. The buffet breakfast was our introduction to this hip and happening restuarant in Tzaneen. Such yummy eats! We visit Crawdaddy's everytime we are in Tzaneen now (1 week every four months). We are sort of regulars(used loosely) now

https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/ShowUserReviews-g469386-d2524022-r326412766-Crawdaddy_s-Tzaneen_Limpopo_Province.html#

Tzaneen's finest

Home away from home


Reviewed 13 November 2015
Big breakfast!!! Friendly, clean, warm B&B. We always stay there when in Tzaneen. They call us by name when we arrive and that's very welcoming, we feel like part of the family now. The decor is classy and tasteful. Book early, this place is very popular! All staff members are wonderful, sweet, friendly people.
Room Tip: Ground floor rooms are more spacious!

Review of The Lofts Overnight Accommodation - Polokwane, Limpopo

Better than home!

I absolutely loved the lofts. The style of the lofts, the "no expense spared" but classy feel. Spacious, clean, upmarket, stylish, quiet and tranquil. Very well decorated. I felt that the reception staff were a bit uptight and unfriendly. Staff development is key in hospitality
  • Stayed: December 2014, travelled on business


The case of Nabana Lodge, Hazyview - Mpumalanga

Spacious & Relaxed

                                                 Review of Nabana Lodge
Reviewed 13 November 2015
At Nabana you are assured of spectacular views, a great breakfast and friendly staff! We had a wonderful stay at Nabana, the rooms were clean and tidy. Very affordable too. An automatic gate would complete the establishment. It is a bit tricky and scary to get in and out of the property with a manual gate.
Room Tip: All rooms are equally good here

Another thumbs up for a Fick family eatery

Excellent food. Fresh ingredients. Butcher and wine cellar in-store. Wide variety to choose from, a very comprehensive menu. Friendly waitrons. Credit card facilities. You simply have to try their biltong and avo salad, It is yummy! I visit Pioneers everytime I am in Hazyview

This review is from 2015.
Disclaimer: Pioneers has since moved from the rendezvous centre. Checkout my review of Tides as well as Numbi hotel.

Simply the best! Review of Jackalberry Farm & Lodge


I feel like a family member at Jackalberry Lodge. The prices have gone up over the years but I am not complaining. Room 2 has the best wifi reception and whenever I book at Jackalberry, I specifically request to stay in this room. I enjoy the friendliness of the owners (Han's & Mpumie) and Han's culinary skills and generosity. He taught us about growing mango trees and herbs, I have mastered the herbs but my mom's goats always manage to feast on my mango trees. I digress. I feel nostalgic whenever I jump into their swimming pool because that is where I learnt to swim. Even the owners' son (Tony) is so hospitable, he once took us on an unauthorised tour of the farm and we explored the river banks, admiring nature. I could go on for the whole day! The hippo-spotting at night is so awesome, I get such a kick out of it. I wish the municipality could fix the roads, other than that, Jackalberry is my happy place.

Room Tip: Room 1 & 3 for best views, Room 2 for best wifi reception.

I actually like Secunda

As I am re-posting old reviews of my travels, I am realizing that I actually like Secunda. Polluted air and all!
 Below is my review of Ocean basket- Secunda:

I love seafood and nobody does it better than Ocean Basket, add the friendliness of the people in Secunda and you've got yourself an excellent hangout spot for foodies. Ocean Basket (not just in Secunda) needs to do something about the bony, uncomfy chairs, they really hurt my thighs and flat behind. Perhaps cushions would help.

Review of Panarottis Secunda

“Friendliest Restuarant in Secunda”
 Review of Panarottis Secunda
Short and sweet review: "I enjoyed the food and the environment in general. The I enjoyed "I enjoyed the food and the environment in general. The waitrons are very attentive. I was 
on a restricted budget but found their salads so yum."




The best guest house in Secunda!

Review of Dormio Manor Guest Lodge, Secunda - Mpumalanga
I have travelled and stayed in many guest houses but none compares to Dormio Manor. It is in a quiet neighbourhood. The rooms are nicely decorated with clean linen. I have stayed in different rooms at this guest house but I loved the penthouse the best. It is safe, there's stringent security measures. That's very important in South Africa. The breakfast is great. The staff are very friendly and helpful. It's not far from the new Shopping Mall.
Room Tip: Ask for the Penthouse suite!
  • Stayed: September 2015, travelled on business

Review of Grey Goose Game Lodge

Unexpected oasis in Newcastle, KZN

Reviewed 17 November 2015
We were only in Newcastle for 2 days after a rough 3 days in Bulwer. We enjoyed our stay, farmstyle (it's a real farm with traces of sewage stink - keeping the bathroom door closed does the trick). Seeing the rabbits and the Zebras was the highlight of our stay. It was a quiet and relaxing environment. The only improvements I'd suggest would be to put bar fridges and free wifi in the rooms. The staff were very helpful and friendly.

Stayed: November 2015, travelled on business

Stunning! A Review of Mountain View Country Inn

From the decor to the hospitality and the food, this place is truly special. There isn't much of a town to explore but this place makes it worth the visit. Beautifully furnished antique style. This place is cute in a quaint sort of way. I enjoyed staying here, the daily trek from here to Mlamli village and back was well worth it.
  • Stayed: December 2014, travelled on business

Tides knows fish!

A 2015 review of Tides seafood restaurant in Hazyview.

I always enjoy the seafood at Tides. It always buffles me though that they close so early whilst their sister restaurant stays open 'til late. The staff is always so friendly. Great food and great atmosphere overall.
This review is from 20 November 2015. Tides has since moved. The Fick family knows hospitality and food. You gotta give them that!

A review of Tatenda Guesthouse, Hazyview

How safe is it???

My first and hopefully very last time staying at Tatenda. The moisquitoes and dodgy cleaning techniques (no broom & no mop?) aside, how could you fail to provide complimentary tea/coffee for guests? The dull bed linen and towels, toilets that don't flush(no joke, there were 2 * 10 litres water bottles in the bathroom for flushing). The breakfast was so minimal and lightly scotched. We stayed 4 nights and had to endure the same boring egg and bacon everyday. There is no security guard, I was always so scared about our safety.
  • Stayed: October 2015, travelled on business
  • I truly hope that the security features have been upgraded!

National Zoological Gardens of South Africa - A Review of Pretoria Zoo


“Even better on a golf cart”
I have visited Pretoria zoo so many times since moving up to Pretoria. It is gorgeous and huge! If you want to enjoy this beauty and still have the energy to run around with the kids, book a gold cart. You might have to wait for like an hour for it but well worth it! What's even better is that you can have a lekker braai and picnic with your family or buy some fast food at the many outlets found within the zoo. Also the photoshopped photos are a perfect momento for all our zoo visits. Checkout other reviews of Pretoria zoo by clicking on the link below.

Review of Union Buildings

How ironic is it that I have an unobscured view if the Union Buildings from the spectacular balcony of my penthouse flat in Central Pretoria. (Just had to blow that horn!!!) 
So I have visited the Union Buildings numerous times with friends and family, visiting Pretoria. The Union of South Africa era was not exactly an inclusive period in our history, I had titled this TripAdvisor review "Too many 'old South Africa' reminders" and I stand by this title. A mere statue of Nelson Mandela will not change my opinion and observation.
This is how it went: "The grounds are very well-manicured! The steps are great for exercising and the view from the parking lot is great. I'm not too crazy about all the apartheid era memorabilia". I feel like I should have added #JustSaying

Best Hotel in Pretoria!

Back in 2015, I wrote about the Manhattan Hotel. I have not been to the hotel since then, so things may have changed. This was my experience back in 2015:
"My short stay at Manhattan was pleasant and relaxing.
With all the comforts of a 5 star hotel; gym; spa; buffet meals and pristine rooms, I felt like a princess. If you are ever in Pretoria, South Africa - give them a try.
Stayed: May 2015"
Checkout these links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSWpTjpcR3s
https://www.tripadvisor.co.za

Nothing to write home about - A TripAdvisor post about Khayalami - Nelspruit

So in April 2018, I travelled with two Afro-centric colleagues to Nelspruit. I was so excited that we were booked at a black-owned establishment!

Read all about it in my trip advisor review below:

"We stayed at Khayalami in Nelspruit. We had paid for our accommodation two weeks in advance but upon check-in we had to produce proof of payment before they could check us in.
The place is well-built, the rooms are specious. With a more attentive and friendly staff complement, it can only add value. My advice to the owner is to get experienced, qualified and professional front of office, booking and accounts personnel to make for a pleasurable, seamless and stress-free checking in experience. The wifi was not working the entire time we were there.
The aircons and curtains need a serious intervention, the curtains don't fit those big beautiful windows and the aircons were leaking so much water that I feared for the electrical wiring and electronics in the room.
The breakfast was the biggest let down for me. Rubbery eggs and squash is not what I was expecting.
Room Tip: Request a room with a balcony for the best views of the rising sun!
Stayed: April 2018, travelled on business"

My take home here is:
1. Owner-managed lodges function best (The next best thing is getting hospitality-
trained employees)
2. Staff training and supervision is crucial in ensuring that standards are set and adhered to
3. A smile doesn't cost a thing!

Sunday 2 December 2018

The Sticky Business of Property

For as long as I could remember, I have always wanted to own property(ies). It is no child's play I tell ya.

So let me start from the beginning. Early 2018, my significant other calls me besides himself with excitement about this steal: A four bedroom penthouse in the city centre at a very reasonable price. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity. We arranged for a viewing, and we were taken, smitten with the place, excited and hopeful! The picturesque views of the city, all the way from the Union buildings; Arcadia; Sunnyside with Hatfield in the distance; the Telkom tower; UNISA... We fell in love with the property!

In our haste to outbid other potential buyers, we overlooked some pretty crucial elements to buying a property. Add a pathological liar for an estate agent to the mix, we found ourselves stuck in a money-pit. Property levies grossly underestimated by agent, I mean 75% higher than what the agent had estimated.

Just so we are clear, when I say money-pit I mean new windows, flooring, plumbing, cabinetry, fumigating, de-cluttering (more like clearing a dump) and cleaning. And when I thought the nightmare was over, a pipe bursts in the kitchen flooding the entire flat. Lets just say 2018 has given me a good smack across the face. As could be expected, having gone through this and many other stresses in this dreadful 2018 I haven't had time or the energy to enjoy this wonderful property.
 *Mi casa*

2019 is gonna be the year, me and my penthouse live it up! That is my new year's resolution. I'm about 30 days early I know.