Thursday 19 June 2014

Wonderful Weaving


In the heart of Zululand, in Manguzi, is a small business run by Lexi Stavrides.
Lexi employs three ladies from the community to craft Lala Baskets, 
beautifully finished with hand stitched leather straps.

Each basket generates an income for the families working with Lexi.
It is so rewarding knowing that their skills, 
combined with Lexi’s training 
is enabling the ladies to create superior quality products.

These stylish baskets are perfect for storing household goodies!
And they look great too!


Can’t resist? You can order tailor made items off Alex & Thatch’s website:

or follow her on FaceBook and find out which markets she will be at:


Leather Care:
  •  Never let your leather goods get wet or damp
  •  Leather is not waterproof. If it gets wet ensure that you dry it out, but not in direct sunlight.
  •  Pen does not come off leather when marked – just to note.
  •  Never use polish or detergents to clean leather.
  • A wet wipe is great to use to clean your leather but without excessive wiping.
  • Use a leather balm, oil or conditioning cream every 4 – 6 months to treat your leather and to keep it supple.
  • Using your finger to apply a small amount of the treatment and ensure you wipe off any excess with a clean, dry cloth.
  • Never use Dubbin or shoe polish to care for your leather, this builds up a waxy layer over time. 
  • Leather ages naturally and when looked after can last you a life time!


HAND-STITCHED . ARTISANAL . LEATHER PRODUCTS

The home of fine leather craftsmanship.


Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:
SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html
'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html
COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/


Friday 13 June 2014



THE LITTLE DRINKING TOWN WITH A DIVING PROBLEM


Rest and Relaxation should be on everyone’s schedule but in Mozambique an R&R means something different. While you may end up flat on your back, it might not be quite what the doctor had in mind…

After scrambling across the dusty border post from Kosi Bay to Ponta d’Ouro, bouncing over the sand dunes with little more than a sand track to follow, you arrive at the bustling coastal town of Ponta d’Ouro, a favourite for drinkers and divers. It was once a small coastal haven for South Africans who owned beach houses, but the war soon took care of that. After the end of the war, and assurances that the land mines had been cleared, South Africans came back in their droves.

‘Fernando’s’ is the first shebeen at the entrance to the village. Perched on the edge of the market place, where everything cooks in the hot sun, Fernando’s has grown from a table and chair establishment to a full-on bar with a huge South African stamp. Over the years patrons have taken ownership of the bar and catapulted Fernando into infamy.


No Ponta visitor worth his salt passes Fernando’s without stopping for a R&R. Great big beer mugs are slapped on the table. A full bottle of Tipo Tinto* rum is splashed over ice cubes, a dash of Sparletta raspberry finishes it off. The mug is already filled to the brim with rum leaving little space for the raspberry.It’s only there for colour. With great enthusiasm mugs are clinked, cheers and toasts are made, and down the hatch she goes.

Say ‘good-night’ because that’s one helluva drink! Life after that is seen through rose tinted glasses, the ice is broken and everyone makes new best friends.

Welcome to Ponta d’Ouro – the little drinking town with a diving problem!

Place to stay: Coco Rico - www.cocorico.co.mz

*Tipo Tinto the Mozambican Rum has been made in Maputo, Mozambique since the 1920′s.

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:
FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/loiskuhle
SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html
'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html
COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/

Tuesday 3 June 2014


Pristine Pakamisa

Isabella Stepski established Pakamisa Private Game Reserve in 1996, on land that is “Right in the heart of the Zulu Kingdom”. The closest town, 18 kms away, is Pongola. It boasts a burgeoning agricultural community that cultivates 50 square kilometers of sugar cane and sub-tropical fruits. 



During the depression of the ‘30’s Pongola introduced a canal system for irrigation. The town thrived and erected a sugar mill, now the back bone of this community. This small town of 128,000 people (2011) has an unfortunate unemployment rate of 35%.

Most of the non-arable land was used for cattle farming. Game existed in the area, but not in great numbers because of threat of disease. In the late ‘80’s a few cattle farmers established basic accommodation for hunters. Approximately 10 years later a handful of land owners realised the potential tourism was bringing to the area and upgraded accommodation to attract international and upmarket visitors. It is against this backdrop that Isabella Stepski manifested a dream of owning a game farm with a 5 star lodge in South Africa, where she could also breed and ride her Arab horses she brought from Spain.

17 years later, after the challenge of constructing a 5 Star lodge with community members who have grown up with a legacy of cattle herding and cane farming, Pakamisa has offered valuable exposure in international tourism. 33 people are employed.




The tired and overgrazed 2,500 hectare cattle farm was transformed into pristine bush, re-introducing indigenous game such as giraffe and antelope. 

The most exciting, and unique, element that Isabella introduced to the area is her horsemanship. Isabella is a renowned international Arabian horse expert, who has bred these fine horses for 30 years. Her horses were originally born and bred in Andalusia, Spain, of purebred Spanish Bloodlines. Staff members who have shown an affinity to horses have been ‘groomed’ with phenomenal equine management skills. Understanding the importance of caring for saddles, tack and tools; and being able to identify and treat diseases, basic health and hoof conditions has been instilled via skills transfer either from Isabella or the numerous experts who visit Pakamisa. An international volunteer program offers a valuable opportunity to exchange cultural knowledge.

An obvious benefit of having 33 stabled horses, is of course…..manure! With Pongola’s perfect hot climate growing vegetables is a must, and is overseen by a local horticulturist. Staff grow vegetables for their own pot as well as offering lodge guests organic veg. This is converted into a culinary delight by the chef in the kitchen, another wonderful empowerment story.

Against a landscape that has been historically worlds apart from game farming, bush management, tourism and horsemanship, Isabella and Pakamisa have altered the lives of many people in the local community and introduced a new generation into a lucrative livelihood in tourism and equine management. 


It is inspirational for guests and professionals to interact with staff members, whether they are game rangers, stable hands or kitchen staff, to see and appreciate the skills development that has taken place at Pakamisa.

Website:
Pakamisa Private Game Reserve: www.pakamisa.co.za
Or follow them on facebook:

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:
SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html
'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html
COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/