Jane Austen said: “What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance” and Annie Dillard pointed out: “There is a muscular energy in sunlight corresponding to the spiritual energy of wind.”

... All that without setting foot in our neck of Africa during October. During this month more than any other you can experience the true power of the African sun. It is a good idea to plan ahead.

Some tips from the American Red Cross to avoid a heat-related illness:

• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect the sun's energy.
• Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.
• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.”

Our favourite African heat beating trick?

Take a local chitenge (African cloth), wet it through and then wrap it around yourself. The water evaporates and this endothermic reaction literally pulls the heat from your body.

“That’s HOT!”
Paris Hilton
 

In our Kitchen

…the food was superb - the best that we had on a trip that included Mombo and Mauritius!...

IF YOU CAN’T TAKE THE HEAT GET INTO THE COLD ROOM…. And other tips for keeping your cool.

1. Make sure someone appoints you as HEAD CHEF.
2. Get a cold room. (Size counts!)
3. Move all your cookers closer to the door of the cold room
4. Do most of your preparation in the cold room – only come out when its time to cook or bake… then set your oven timer and get back into the cold room
5. Employ cooks who can slave away in the hot kitchen – instructing them only to call you when they are desperate for your advice or need you to test a dish to make sure that your lovely guests will think it is amazing.
6. Try to stay patient and not to get too cross when you are called out of the cold room for the reasons stated in number 4.

BUT SERIOUSLY…

Cooking in Africa during the silly season (when the heat builds and the rain hides) is not as easy as you might think. NOW is when the entire kitchen staff pays attention to every detail. The cleanliness of our kitchen is sacred. Foods are kept and monitored at optimal temperatures. Staff is running up and down in elevated temperatures and has to pay extra attention to personal hygiene and keeping their uniforms clean.

In fact there is only one motivation for happily facing the heat of the kitchen in October….
Producing top quality fresh food for appreciative guests!

Keep cool!

Chef Zuwi (and his kitchen slaves)

Recipe

Our Comment Corner

Thank you Tracy for sharing these comments from Expert Africa's travellers who recently visited Tongabezi

 
- Dr Matthew Styles x 2 Arrived on: 3-Oct-2008. They left on: 5-Oct-2008

Tongabezi`s reputation goes before it. We have known quite a few people who have stayed here over the years and it lived up to expectations. We were warmly greeted and introduced to our personal valet who showed us to our cottage. Lovely rooms overlooking the mighty Zambezi with everything one could want. We were shown the central area offered drinks and lunch. The activities manager went through the list of possibilities with us and drew up a program for our stay. As it was very low water and we had seen the Falls many times before we decided to give that a miss. We had a game drive. Had a sundowner cruise and a picnic lunch on an island in the middle of the river. Once again we tried our luck with the elusive Tigers but not one bite did we have.
Tongabezi was a perfect end to our trip. Once again the staff was very attentive; the food was good and the company congenial. We were given the option to eat alone or on a guest table. After dinner one night the staff sang to us which was beautiful.

Comments from Mr & Mrs Mitchell - In 23 Out 24 Sep
African Pride clients

I know that these folks stayed one night only, but they had nothing but praise for Tongabezi and said that the food was superb- the best that they had on this trip (including Mombo and Mauritius).

Many thanks to all involved!
Kindest regards
Helen

And finally:

More excellent hospitality and service. Forbes, our personal valet, was almost clairvoyant in his anticipations of our needs! Fantastic location. Had a hippo munching the grass right outside our room on our last night. The chef surpassed expectations in meeting my special dietary needs - just couldn't eat it all, there was so much!!
Caught Tiger Fish on fishing trip, canoed down the Zambezi amongst the hippos, visited Victoria Falls and swam in the 'Devil's Pool'. The staff made us feel like we were the only ones there, they were so attentive. A really relaxing and romantic end to our African adventure.
 

What is a Valet?

King Louis XIV of France had thirty six valets. Alexandre Bontemps was the most senior and an extremely powerful figure at the court of Versailles.
The word Valet is imported from France and means “squire, young man or man’s servant”. The use of this term dates back to 1456 and has always referred to someone who is employed to perform personal services including everything from unpacking and laying out clothes to travel arrangements.
P.G. Wodehouse’s Jeeves might be the quintessential fictional butler and the personification of the perfect valet. Ask Jeeves is now a term that you can find in the Oxford English Dictionary!

Less commonly known the word can also refer to a person accompanying a professional wrestler to the ring (traditionally a burly man but more recently more usually a busty lady!), the JACK in playing cards and in archaic English it was also used to indicate a rogue.

Tongabezi has taken the word and we have found a unique meaning for this word yet again.

It might not be particularly tricky or complicated to get to Tongabezi, but the area surrounding our lodge offers so many activities that it could be foolish to attempt to unravel the do’s and don’ts from the must see’s. While we always trust our agents to educate guests we also know that the vast amount of information can be daunting, guests are often jetlagged or tired and the weather can ruffle the best laid plans with happy nonchalance.

Tongabezi was intentionally designed to cater for those with romantic hearts, an intrepid desire to embrace Africa and the ability to appreciate the quirky. While the overly pampered are not the ideal Tongabezi clients our hospitality comes from the core of the African culture and is completely geared towards fulfilling a guest’s every need. In fact we give ourselves full marks only when we can also ANTICIPATE those needs.

It is this objective that forms the basis of our valet service – not a colonial or courtly slave but someone who will be on hand to take on the little stresses that can so often take the edge off the perfect getaway.
 

New at Tongabezi

Sindabezi is now closed

Refurbishment has begun! It might be hot now but we need to get quite a bit done before our yearly rainy season will throw a couple of thunderbolts in the works. We will definitely keep you updated on progress....

Our new wait staff

My name is Gwen and I was born on the 18th Feb 1983.
My hobbies are dancing, swimming and going to church. I used to work for the Rite Pub and Grill, one of the leading restaurants in Livingstone. I am a team player and looking forward to improving the service at Tongabezi restaurant.

Births in the family

Tongabezi in Cyberspace

Tujatane children performing in the school amphitheatre

Eco Tribes have awarded Tongabezi THREE Globes Eco and Fair trade

Tongabezi is the # 1 in popularity for Livingstone hotels on Tripadvisor

Special Offers

Look out for our special offer combining Jaci’s camp in Madikwe and Tongabezi for Christmas.

We are also planning a very special Grand Opening package that will combine the New Sindabezi and Old Mondoro.

.... Read all about it in next month’s Tonga Tales!
 

Lunar Rainbows in November 2008

 The next lunar rainbow viewing will be on the 13th November 2008. Join us at eight in the evening on the 12th, 13th and 14th of November for a trip including wines, soft drinks, beers and spirits served at The Falls

For all the lunar rainbow dates for 2008 and 2009 please have a look at our website