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Tongabezi Spells Romance
Another February has come and gone. While this month is traditionally a time for
lovers, at Tongabezi romance is only a sunset away 356 days a year. In fact in
honour of superior service we have developed some artistic license in our definition of certain words:
Uniformity: Our idea of providing you with a consistently entertaining
holiday entails having as much variety as possible. A menu of activities to choose from
and meals in different locations all the time!
Practicality: At Tongabezi we moor a Sampan out in the middle of the
Zambezi and then boat the dinner table, the food (each course separately of course!)
and even a choir out at perfectly timed intervals.
Conservation: Investing in the most advanced water recycling plant
in the area so that we can fill your sunken bath every night without putting undue
strain on the environment. |
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...while we are talking semantics and romance do you know why the word
love
is used to indicate zero in tennis?
originating from the phrase play for love i.e. for the love of
Oxford English Dictionary
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Our busy social schedule:
Honour will be attending ITB on behalf of Tongabezi Lodge, Zambia. Classic Safari Camps of Africa Stand No: 112, Hall 20
Ben and Honour will be attending Indaba for Tongabezi. We will be located on the Classic Safari Camps of Africa Stand No: B028 DEC.
Please contact ben@tongabezi.com and michelle@tongabezi.com or honour@honourway.com for appointments.
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In our Kitchen
This recipe is published at the request of guests who subscribed
to Tonga Tales on the proviso that they receive the secret to:
TONGABEZI SAUSAGE FRITTATA
Put the African spin on this popular Italian dish.
Prepare your omelette with a filling of:
1 Ripe avocado diced
Garden spinach
Breakfast sausages
Serve with
Toasted health bread
Chili Dressing
… Have we mentioned it tastes best when you have it on the Tongabezi breakfast deck?
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Our Comment Corner
This month Tongabezi worked hard to take care of special guests…
Jacob and grandpa had a loved a lovely time in the Honeymoon house .We were taken good
care of by our valet Trega and all others working in this little paradise! Everyone was especially friendly to our grandson Jacob, always using his name and showing attention.
Thank you all for giving us this great stay!
Skawerud
Dona Agency
And exceptional occasions!
It was a very big birthday for me
and I could not have wished for a better day. The sun pan dinner was
excellent. The waiter who sang happy birthday to me brought a tear to
my eyes it was such lovely singing. I would like to thank each and
every one of you who made my birthday so memorable and a big thank
you to Charles who ensured my day lasted until the end of the day with
candles, champagne and a very relaxing bath!
Aylott
Audley travel |
Featuring The Big Culture Clash
"It is absolutely ridiculous that Valentines Day is celebrated in Zambia!"
Tourist observing the Valentines cards in a local Livingstone shop
Esther Howland made the first Valentines cards for sale in Massachusetts in
1847 and today one billion valentine wishes are sent every year.
The extreme commercial nature of the celebration does translate easily to
any free economy and Zambia is no exception. Red plastic roses and
peculiarly worded heart-plastered cards start filling all the shops in
January. Even the name Valentine is very popular.
Looking at the origin and history of this particular Saint’s day it
is initially tempting to consider it very much an artificial import.
Western culture synthetically forced on the African calendar.
Geoffrey Chaucer however connected the origins of Valentines
Day to very early paganism… and rites that mirror ancient African
celebrations. One of the Saint Valentines (there are three!) was
even martyred with his companions in Africa! It wasn’t until the
fourteenth century that the celebration became linked to romance.
You might be surprised when you realise the western Valentine is
therefore as much a man-made event as the African Valentine.
While the cultural differences between the Western way of life
and the African one can seem very large at first glance; a bit
of investigation will soon prove that most of the diversity only
exists on the surface. More is the pity that this often results
in misunderstanding!
For example:
In the west it is considered good form and in fact no less than
a testament to strong character to give a new acquaintance a nice
firm handshake.
The African way generally favours a non threatening limp shake –
it is considered well-mannered not to impose your strong character
when you come across old or new contacts!
**IN EACH INSTANCE COURTESY IS INTENDED**
In the west a man will considerately stand back and allow a lady
to walk through a door first.
The African way frowns on any man who would allow the weaker sex
to face what is an unknown and historically potentially dangerous
situation first!
**BOTH CULTURES INSTINCTIVELY ACT WITH CHIVALRY**
In the west we all talk quietly and with restraint.
The African way is LOUD – This way no one will
mistake your conversation for malicious gossip!
**WESTERN AND AFRICAN CULTURE INTEND FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION NOT TO CAUSE OFFENCE**
More serious are the different cultural perceptions of nature
and people’s place in it:
There are ancient rock paintings by the Kunda community in the
East of Zambia that are the inspiration of Pam Guhrs’ cultural
art exhibitions. Pam has a unique background as she grew up
within the white dominated conservation community but also r
aised her children in the Luangwa valley and therefore has an
instinctive empathy for the local people whose children often
form part of the food chain in the wild.
Western conservation dictates that man made fires are prohibited
and marauding elephants can not be shot.
**THE WEST WANTS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, AFRICANS WANT TO SAFEGUARD THEIR CHILDREN**
The lesson we learn looking at celebrating
Valentine in Zambia?
… While the cultural differences can add to your experience when you travel
it might make the journey even more interesting if you spend a bit of
effort investigating the cultural similarities instead.
Whether you travel to Africa … or indeed closer to wherever you call home.
Valentine's Day postcard, circa 1910
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New at Tongabezi!
Michelle Kuwani has now settled in as our Sales Services Consultant.
While Honour from Honourway will continue to manage our international
marketing, Michelle is managing local and regional marketing. You are
very welcome to think of any excuse to send her an e-mail in order to
experience her inimitable sparkling style and infectious good cheer!
Sanja Cloete-Jones is no longer managing the Group Product – all
general queries for her can now be forwarded to Michelle, or
Reservations. She will be responsible for all the copywriting and
editing for the Tongabezi group and is still available at
sanja@tongabezi.com for all website inclusions, newsletters and
writerly stuff!
The most important contact e-mails for Tongabezi Lodge, Sindabezi
Island and Livingstone Island as follows:
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Designation |
E-mail address |
For all queries regarding… |
| Reservations |
reservations@tongabezi.com |
Reservations and availability requests. Amendment of reservations. Special requests. |
| Sales Service Consultant |
michelle@tongabezi.com |
Regional marketing queries. Special requests.(including
special rate requests) Agent familiarization requests. Guest comments |
| International Marketing |
honour@honourway.com |
International marketing queries |
| Reservations for Livingstone Island |
livingstoneisland@tongabezi.com |
Reservations for Livingstone Island |
| General Manager |
rudy@tongabezi.com |
Guest comments and special observations |
| Owner |
ben@tongabezi.com |
Please do copy Benjamin in all the queries above marked
in YELLOW. It is advisable to send your mail to the applicable respondent above and copy it to Benjamin. |
The fabulously enthusiastic Beth
Pound is now managing Tujatane Trust School. Watch this space in the next newsletter for more details
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Livingstone Island News
We wish to inform you that the Morning Breezers excursions will
be sub divided in two slots, giving guests longer on the Island.
All morning slots we are holding will have the opportunity to
move onto the new timings, or we can hold the original booked
time if the guests cannot spend longer on Livingstone Island
due to other activities booked.
This current change for the Morning Breezer will continue most
likely through March, 2009 depending on the amount rain we are
receiving as the river steadily rises until we close the Island.
(Expected to close around the end of March or first week of April,
2009 at present)
08:00hrs
The 1st Morning Breezer pick up will be from the Royal Livingstone
Jetty at 08:00hrs and return to the jetty at 10:00hrs. The two hour
activity costs $60 per person (16 pax Maximum) and we will offer
Fruit Punch, Fresh Fruits, Coffee, Tea, Tonga Eggs Benedict with
Creamed Spinach, Hollandaise with Crispy Bacon, Muffins & scones.
10:00hrs
The 2nd Morning Breezer pick up will be from the Royal Livingstone
Jetty at 10:00hrs to return to the jetty at 12:00hrs. The two hour
activity costs $60 per person (16 pax Maximum) and we will offer
Fruit Punch, Fresh Fruits, Coffee, Tea, Tonga Eggs Benedict with
Creamed Spinach, Hollandaise with Crispy Bacon, Muffins & scones.
10:00hrs
The Afternoon excursion pick up is at 12:30hrs from the Royal
Livingstone Jetty; to return to the jetty at 15:00hrs. The two
hour and 30 minutes activity costs $115 per person (16 pax Maximum)
and we will offer Zambian Bean Soup with Sweet potato leaves and
Fresh Tomato Papatta bread, Leaf Salad with Rocket, Couscous with
Sunflower seeds and Groundnuts, Tomato, Cucumber and Feta salad,
Roasted vegetable platter, Local Zambian Relish, Chicken Kebabs,
Beef scallops with Garlic and lemon Pecan steamed Pudding with
Fudge sauce.
15:30hrs
The Afternoon High Tea excursion pick up is at 15:30hrs from the
Royal Livingstone Jetty; to return to the jetty at 17:30hrs. The
two hour activity costs $90 per person (16 pax Maximum) and we
will offer Tea savory Open Nutty brown buns with smoked salmon,
Cream cheese with cucumber julienne, Puff ratatouie tartlets with
toasted nuts, Pastry with Spicy chicken and chickpeas, Triple
Chocolate Brownies and Choux Pastry with Crème Patisserie.
Zambian Immigration dos and don’ts
Please advise all guests to make very sure of their immigration status
well before their departure to Zambia. There have been a number of
occasions recently where nationalities from a couple of countries
were assured that they could purchase a visa from the embassy at home
– only to find out that they could NOT on arrival!!!
While the Zambian Department of Immigration Website has
most of the current information this is one situation where it
really is better to be safe rather than sorry!
Tongabezi IN CYBERSPACE
Judy and Mike love Tongabezi and Livingstone Island
Tongabezi is the # 2 in popularity for Livingstone hotels on Tripadvisor
Our latest Tripadvisor review was not ideal. We love all our usual positive comments, but we also treat all constructive criticism with immediate attention.
Meanwhile please relax, sit back and enjoy…
The top 10 funniest traveler posts on Tripadvisor from recent years:
1. Not So Great Expectations
"I could have done without the blood-stained mattress and the
(actual) chunk of poop on my bedspread, but I didn't expect the Hilton."
2. Rest in Peace
"I spent the night in the (hotel) room and experienced a friendly spirit.
This presence got into bed with me, an old lady, she was nice and I just
patted her on the head and we had a comfortable restful sleep. I think I
will ask for a different room next time."
3. Mime Over Matter
"The neighborhood is filled with aggressive mimes, including one sitting
on a toilet bowl (how creative). Room cards are changed for no reason
and you cannot understand why you can't get into your room. All in all
it was a very unpleasant stay."
4. Deep Thoughts
"Time could be spent pondering over the meaning of some of the many
safety signs around the complex. Out of the several we managed to
identify, the two we found to be of greatest use were 1. Not to step
on any crocodiles whilst bare foot, and 2. No ugly or spotty children
to frequent the pool."
5. Is That Really What You Meant?
"I echo the sentiments of the previous reviewer. The ambience is lacking
to be sure, but the food is like angels copulating on your tongue."
6. Freezing Over
"Sleeping in the street during a blizzard would be better than staying
at this hell-hole. The place should be imploded."
7. No Accounting for Taste
"Subject: Crab Trap Restaurant. We enjoyed our experience at the Crap
Trap. The food is very good with nice size portions and reasonable
prices (especially for the shore). The only down side is the wait."
8. A Sore for Sight Eyes
"Food not special and the couple that lives there with their dog are
very 'homey' and 'folksy' types. Not for everyone. The premises are
well kept, but some private parts we could see thru open door were not."
9. Leave It to Beaver
"Imagine awakening at 4:00 am to the sound of loud footsteps in the
stairwell, only to realize that someone is drunk and knocking on your
hotel door saying, 'Beaver...it's me. Let me in, Beaver.'"
10. The Last Laugh
"In fact, I told the management there that I was putting a review on
your website about their poor service and they laughed at me and said
go right ahead, nobody reads the TripAdvisor site."
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SERIOUS Special OFFERS!
Free House Upgrade Tongabezi Lodge 2009 Special:
In 2009 Travel Agents will spend more time than ever before
searching for compelling travel specials. Tongabezi has an
exciting offer for guests who prefer to be spontaneous – and
agents who like making an impression!
NOW All 2009 bookings made within 60 days of travel are
eligible for a FREE HOUSE UPGRADE to the value of a 15 – 20%
discount! Simply quote the words FREE HOUSE UPGRADE in the
subject of the e-mail confirming your booking. If a house is
available we will offer your guests a COMPLIMENTARY upgrade!
NOTES:
* Provisional bookings do not qualify although we will give
your guests 24 hours to confirm the booking if we receive an
enquiry to confirm the house.
** Please note that the published Terms & Conditions of
Tongabezi Lodge AND ALL AGREED COMMISSIONS apply.
Calling all agents...
Have you heard about the super special...
"Zambia's Classic Camps Special Safari"?
• 10+ nights – with savings from USD $1000 per person.
• Any combo of Robin Pope Safaris South Luangwa, Chongwe River
Camp, Tongabezi, (note CRC is closed mid Nov-March)
• Minimum 2 guests
• Minimum 3 nights per camp
• Minimum 10 nights
• Minimum 2 of the destinations must be included
• Valid for travel period 01 Jan – 30 June 2009
Tongabezi Lodge and Jaci's Lodges Madikwe 2009 Special:
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Costs
are per
double
room
per
night ** |
Jaci's &
Tongabezi
Cottage |
Jaci's &
Tongabezi
House |
Jaci's &
Tongabezi
Nut
House |
Jaci's &
Sindabezi
Chalet |
Jaci's &
Sindabezi
Honeymoon
Chalet |
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January |
US$ 879.50 |
US$ 979.50 |
US$ 1079.50 |
US$ 844.50 |
US$ 879.50 |
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February |
US$ 809.50 |
US$ 909.50 |
US$ 1009.50 |
US$ 774.50 |
US$ 809.50 |
|
March |
US$ 879.50 |
US$ 979.50 |
US$ 1079.50 |
US$ 844.50 |
US$ 879.50 |
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April |
US$ 879.50 |
US$ 979.50 |
US$ 1079.50 |
US$ 844.50 |
US$ 879.50 |
Transfer Oliver Tambo international – Jaci’s US$ 250 per person
per transfer.
Transfer Livingstone International – Tongabezi/Sindabezi US$ 35
per person per transfer
International flights depart daily from Oliver Tambo to
Livingstone International.
** Please note that the published Terms & Conditions of Jaci’s
Safari Lodge and Tongabezi Lodge AND ALL AGREED COMMISSIONS
apply.
Rates for Singles and Children are available on request.
Tongabezi Lodge and Sausage Tree Camp April / May 2009 Special:
10 Night Safari
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Sausage Tree
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6 nights
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2995 |
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Tongabezi Cottage |
4
nights |
1350 |
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Total* |
4345 |
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8 Night Safari
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Sausage Tree
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4 nights
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2450 |
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Tongabezi Cottage |
4
nights |
1350 |
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Total* |
3800 |
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* Please note that the rates are in
US$, are per person sharing and the published Terms
& Conditions of Sausage Tree Camp and Tongabezi
Lodge apply.
Return flights between Lusaka and Sausage tree ARE
included
Flights between Lusaka and Livingstone are NOT
included.
Rates for Singles and Children are available on
request.
Lunar Rainbows in March
The next lunar rainbow viewing will be on the 11th March 2009.
Join us at eight in the evening on the 10th, 11th and 12thth of
March for a trip including wines, soft drinks, beers and spirits
served at The Falls
For all the Lunar rainbow dates for 2009 & 2010 please have a
look at our website
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Hopefully these lines will offer better communication links with
Tongabezi.
Please note these are in use with immediate effect.
Lodge +260 213
327450 •
Fax +260 213 327483
Direct Reservations number +260 979 312766
• UK Number 0871 4081258
SKYPE username is “Tongabezi”.
HIGH RES IMAGES
High Res images can be downloaded from our website by going to
the
following link -
http://www.tongabezi.co.za/hires/
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