Boys And Girls And Kids Of All Ages;
Wow that feels good to type again. Yeah I been gone, and even though I told you I would be gone I got quite a few notes asking where I went? Ok, you want a quick rundown on my week.
Day 1.5 from the house to LAX to Atlanta to Johannesburg SA, to Cape Town SA, 30.5 hours. Arrived to tired to enjoy the obligatory single malt night cap. (Actually, I could have made the drink, but I was very ripe and would have offended the local population.)
Day 2, store visit (That is where we PADI people stop in and say thanks to our many loyal members. Peter had us on a tight schedule most of the time so the visits were brief and unannounced. By our third visit, word was out the big wigs from PADI were in town.) After the store visit, we met some of the locals.
Then we visited Cape Point,
which many believe (yours truly included) is the southern most point of land in SA. In reality it is Cape Agulhas, about 90 miles east, but we stood there with a few other folk looking out as though we were at lands end trying to distinguish the Indian Ocean from the Atlantic Ocean. Store visit, store visit, then Member Forum. (That is when the Regional Manager, in this case Mr. Peter Driessel-new reader as of this post) tells a gathering of our members all that is new and groovy at PADI. We had about 73 people at this gathering, a good turn out. People were obviously there to see retiring Mr. Douglas Nash, my friend, who accompanied me on this trip. I got to control the lights for the presentation.
The next day were off to the University of South Africa which as a great scuba program. It is nestled in the hills of Stellenbosch, which happens to be the home of one of my favorite wines, Fusion V by DeToren. I just happened to have their number with me and Peter got directions and we were graced with a nice tour and taste of the 2009 Fusion Five. (I am ordering two cases tomorrow, it is that good.) Another store visit and another and it was time to head back to the hotel.
Then we started making our way toward Port Elizabeth with several store visits along the way. One was actually in the hotel we were staying at, The Beacon Island Hotel.
More store visits.
The next day we had a brief store visit then we managed to sneak out to Addo Elephant Reserve where we got to tease the animals a bit. We saw Elephant, Ostrich, Kudu, Reebok, Wart Hogs, Zebras, Tortoise, and a Lion which once it stood had tusks coming out of its face so we are thinking it was another wart hog. We missed the elusive Lion, but a great afternoon.
Then we had another member forum and late meal which included Carpaccio. Now that is not impressive as I have had beef Carpaccio all over the world. Well this was a Carpaccio trio of Ostrich, Kudu, and Wart Hog. Liked the Wart Hog as it tasted like a fine Italian ham. The Kudu was gamey and a bit like Venison, but the ostrich was a new taste I could not describe, but I would have it again. In case you don't know, Carpaccio is raw thinly shaved meat with parmesan cheese, olive oil, basil, and occasionally and properly served with capers. It was a great meal. Peter, the wine was a 2004 Groote Castancia, a burgundy style grape, delicious.
It looks like I missed a day there somewhere, but we spent a lot of time in the car driving as SA is a big country. Then it was time to have a leisurely morning and start my 31.5 hour trek home to deliver trinkets to the family. It is good to be home. And even better as I am having dinner at Hannah's to see if they survived the week without me. (BTW, one of our readers actually believed that I get special pricing at Hannah's. I pay full boat and I am proud of it and then even a bit more. Ok Dave bought my lunch once. Come on dude loosen up a bit.)
I will get some pictures posted from the trip and send you link in a day or so.
It is good the market did not abandon me while I was gone.
