They make movies here. It’s a land that gave birth to one of the worlds greatest crooners and one of the worlds greatest songs. Below are some links to my story, published in The Starfish and also by Have A Go Newspaper. This is a love story. This is a story about Puglia, a land with towns that one junior reviewer of my work described as, ‘being full of towns with funny names’. He’s right. Puglia does have lots of towns with names you just want to keep on saying, not just for the memories but for the mood it puts you in, just like humming a few bars of ‘Volare’.
Romantic comedy, Blended, starring Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler, was partially filmed in South Africa and my daughter Matilda’s love for this movie and her desire to travel to the locations from the movie have led us to The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City in South Africa.
I have never arrived at a hotel before that has made my jaw drop and put a smile on my face at the same time. The Palace of the Lost City is spectacularly over the top in every way. It is awash with a sense of style that could be a movie set but is genuine and authentic in its attempt to impress you. Combined with the mesmerising architecture and décor are staff who laugh and sing through their day as they attend to your every whim.
As we approach the hotel over a small bridge we can see that between us and the entrance is ‘Cheetah Hunt’, the larger than life bronze sculpture depicting two cheetah pursing a small group of impala. It’s the first of many exclamations from Matilda, “It’s just like it is in the movie!” The sculpture is large and dramatic, fitting seamlessly in with the style of everything around it.
CHECK-IN & BEYOND
The check-in process is quick and easy with a broad counter and many staff to assist you. The check-in takes place under a 25 metre high ceiling dome painted with frescos of African wildlife while underfoot a marble floor flows towards the Crystal Court, the palatial dining area of the Palace of the Lost City.
Large parts of the hotel have atrium spaces that allow views across the various floors and out to the Sun City valley below. As we’re escorted to our room we pass by the atrium space where the statue of Africa’s most famous elephant, a massive bull called Shawu, commands your attention.
THE ROOM
Our room overlooks a dense belt of jungle that can be explored using various paths but also brings with it a warning sign in our room to not leave our balcony doors open otherwise monkeys may ransack your room. The room is spacious, luxurious and includes excellent information about the facilities and attractions to be found in Sun City. There is plenty of room to unpack our bags, plenty of room to stretch our legs and a bathroom big enough for a teenager to declare, “This will do just nicely.”
FOOD
Our buffet breakfast each day is held in the Crystal Court of the Palace of the Lost City and where many of the meal scenes in Blended were filmed and where comedian and actor Terry Crews performed much of the movies music.
For one of our lunches at a restaurant overlooking the Valley of Waves we meet some of the people who worked on the movie Blended and can be seen in several scenes. Over a monster pile of sticky ribs, Matilda is spellbound by a series of first-hand accounts from someone who actually appeared in her all-time favourite movie.
The next day we sit with the owner of the Sun City microbrewery to listen to his accounts of the cast and crew he met from the movie so while Matilda filled her boots with even more Blended stories I filled mine on delicious ciders and ales.
Sun City has food options in delicacy and price for everyone. From the Crystal Court High Tea at the Palace of the Lost City to the shopping mall food court there is something for everyone at any time of the day.
THE VERDICT
The Sun City Resort is a complete resort. It is absolutely and truly able to substantiate all claims of having something for everyone. It is infinitely explorable and enjoyable for all ages. It offers extreme adventure, a little adventure or no adventure if you just want to enjoy some poolside time, excellent shopping or world class golf.
Accommodation ranges from recently refurbished budget hotels to the top of the valley ultra-luxury experience of the Palace of the Lost City.
Matilda’s bucket list travel experience separated some movie fact from fiction. We stood on the spot where the ostrich riding scene was filmed but there is no ostrich riding activity available. We drove down the old airstrip where Drew Barrymore undertook her parasailing adventure, nearly missing a rhinoceros on her rapid descent but there is actually no parasailing available behind a four wheel drive.
Matilda discovered in South Africa that fact is greater than fiction. A vast and beautiful landscape filled with adventure, luxury, laughter and excitement that only the real world can create.
South African Airways is the flag carrier airline for South Africa and flies regularly to Johannesburg’s O.R Tambo International Airport and from there it is a two and half hour drive to Sun City Resort.
For accommodation deals, seasonal packages and airport transfer prices to Sun City Resort, contact your local travel agent.
The following story, as published by Karryon (www.karryon.com.au), shares with you the exploits of my daughter and I in a remarkable part of South Africa:
As my daughter Matilda and I touch down on a little airstrip in the Madikwe Reserve in South Africa for a safari with Sanctuary Makanyane Luxury Safari Lodge, the next ten minutes are as imprinted on my mind as the birth thirteen years ago of the girl beside me. Every second as vivid, exhilarating and heart thumping as life can throw at you.
Just seconds after departing the airstrip an impala leapt lightly to the side of the track and the gasps of Matilda led our guide, Kaiser, to turn his head to check if we were OK.
Imagine our behaviour less than ten seconds later when a big bull elephant was standing alongside the track. A real elephant in the real wild. Then at our first river crossing we saw zebra, waterbuck, warthog, impala and a monitor lizard. I was looking for Elton John to start singing the Circle of Life.
CHECK-IN & BEYOND
As we approach the Makanyane Safari Lodge I notice a gathering of people at the entrance and think that we must have arrived at a busy time with people checking in and checking out, the usual commotion of a hotel reception area.
Remarkably, the gathering was the management team of Makanyane Safari Lodge, out to welcome us. I had thought a free iced tea on arrival at some of the South East Asian resorts I’ve visited was pretty flash but this was taking things to another level.
Furthermore, it wasn’t because I was travelling with the most gorgeous girl in the world, it is just what they do for all of their arriving guests, for which there are no more than sixteen at any time. For the next few days we experience not just a luxurious way of life but a level of service that was more akin to friendship than customer service.
THE ROOM
Accommodation is spread across just eight luxurious suites that are more like small houses. Each suite is well spaced from the others and built from thatch and stone. The air-conditioned bedroom and bathroom have floor to ceiling windows overlooking a river but I highly recommend the outdoor shower to instantly get you back to nature.
While they are mostly intended to be occupied by couples, the suites pass the rigorous privacy test of a father and daughter. There is plenty of space to do what needs to be done without cries of, “Gross!”
In between game drives and meals, we sit and watch the environment that is just outside our suite. We spot snakes in the trees, monitor lizards, birds and monkeys while other travellers we meet have watched zebra, elephant and kudu make their way along the riverbank in front of their window.
FOOD
(Pic provided shows our lunchtime feast of chakalaka, ostrich skewers, bocconcini and bush tomato salad, potato and egg salad and lamb samosas with mint chutney)
For meals at the lodge there is always plenty of choice and Matilda and I are quick converts to South African cuisine. We loved the gamey flavour of ostrich skewers and tang and spice of chakalaka and love saying it almost as much as bobotie. Chakalaka is a vegetable relish that can used alongside anything while bobotie is a spicy mince dish that is baked with an egg topping.
Matilda and I are warmly included in forming a larger group at mealtimes despite her being the only child at the lodge and all of the other guests being honeymooners. She probably hears a few stories that aren’t quite age appropriate but having heard some of her exclamations upon getting close to roaring lions and charging elephants perhaps I need to reassess her ability to understand the world around her.
THE VERDICT
We depart Makanyane Safari Lodge in much the same way as we arrived, in the company of the staff who embrace us. Around our vehicle are the friends we have made and as we take a final look at the faces who have pampered us, fed us, protected us and taught us, I hope they truly understand the impact they have had on our life. Experiences that I hope my daughter will describe to her children one day and inspire them to add this remarkable land to their travel bucket list.
The Sanctuary Makanyane Luxury Safari Lodge is located within the lost world of the Madikwe Reserve and is one of the few Malaria free safari locations in South Africa.
Madikwe Reserve is in South Africa’s North West Province, close to the border of Botswana and just a short flight by light aircraft from Johannesburg. It is surrounded by a ridge of hills and well protected by antipoaching patrols.
South African Airways is the flag carrier airline for South Africa and flies regularly to Johannesburg’s O.R Tambo International Airport. From the airport, it’s a one hour flight with Federal Airlines to the Madikwe Reserve or a three hour drive, renting a car from the airport.
Prices at Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge start from ZAR 7,500 per person per night, twin share, for 1 – 3 nights, including all meals and drinks (excluding premium brands) and transfers to and from the airstrip to the Lodge plus a choice of daily shared game viewing activities.
But for even better savings, take advantage of Sanctuary Retreats’ extended stay offer 2018, when you stay at one or more of our properties including Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Loge depending on your season of travel.
Stay 4 – 6 nights and save up to 30%.
Stay 7+ nights and save up to 40%.
Terms and conditions apply.
For more information about Sanctuary Retreats visit:
South Africa has very strict anti-child slavery rules. It is important to ensure that if you’re travelling as a single parent with a child to South Africa that prior to your travel you complete the immigration form and have it correctly signed by a valid certifying agent and, if possible, correspondence from the other parent of the child that certifies permission to travel to South Africa.
Be conscious of the timing and detail provided in social media posting of your safari experience as poaching is a serious issue throughout Africa and any notification of where an animal is located may be of use to poachers.
Great discussion on the ABC Saturday Breakfast Show about the lure of the regional shows – the agriculural shows – that can get city folk hitting the road for a day trip or weekender.
Regional shows have big tractors, big roosters and rams and if you’re lucky, big scones and mock chicken sandwiches in the CWA tent.
A wander through sideshow alley with spruikers enticing your participation with great calls of, “Don’t be bashful, don’t be shy, step on up and have a try!”
Just remember the golden rule on the Dodgems/Bumper Cars; “One way ’round only drivers, one way ’round only! Left hand down, left hand down is the only way ’round!”
The file above is from a conversation on ABC radio, The Breakfast Show with Charlotte and Jamie, about virtual reality tourism. I hope you enjoy listening to it.
Virtual Reality Tourism has the potential to shake up the travel industry in a lot of good ways.
I had the opportunity last year with my son to be the first to experience the Virtual Reality Roller Coaster at Legoland Malaysia and the combination of reality and virtual reality made an entirely new sensory experience that was exciting and wonderful.
Over the years, I’ve described to people on radio, to students in classrooms and to my friends and family the experience of trekking the jungles of Borneo, retracing the footsteps of Australian and British Prisoners of War. While slipping on a pair of goggles in the comfort of your sofa will not give you a sense of exhaustion and emotion, it will give you an experience that is different to listening to reading. Seeing in your goggles the clinging vines, sucking mud, slippery slopes and rocks will inform your mind and help create new ways to understand a story you have been told or read about.
Virtual Reality tourism may create a whole new binge opportunity. Rather than spending the whole day watching every series of a favourite tv show, you could scuba dive all day long and all around the world, or wander the great museums of the world.
The cultural sensitivity of many areas may create amazing virtual reality opportunities, such as climbing Uluru.
Virtual reality tourism will help those with disability and affordability issues to join in experiences they may otherwise not be able to do. Virtual reality tourism will enable the tourism industry to offer more, on a scale that is inclusive and safe.
I wish I could claim the line, “A very vroomy experience,” but I can’t. The honour for that line belongs to my son, eight year old Tom Parry and the first kid in the world to experience the shock and awe of the new Legoland Malaysia Virtual Reality Roller Coaster.
This ride is a real roller coaster and a real virtual reality experience. You’re strapped in to a real world roller coaster and then the goggles come over your face and you’re completely immersed in the world of Lego. Look back at the people in the seat behind you and you’ll see a Lego world. Look above you to the real world blue sky above Legoland and you’ll see a Lego world. Look to the sides, look to the front and you are completely Lego-bound.
The ride has just opened and to experience this and other attractions head to Legoland Malaysia, located in Johor Bahru.
GETTING THERE
Many airlines fly from Australian capital cities to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, including Qantas, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, AirAsia and Singapore Airlines. Legoland is a one to two hour drive from Singapore’s Changhi International Airport or a short domestic flight from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru.
STAYING THERE
Make the experience complete by staying at the Legoland Hotel. An Adventure-themed room will cost from AU$216 and each room has its own treasure hunt, Lego bricks to build (and step on) and all guests have entry to the Legoland Theme Park and Legoland Water Park one hour before the gates open to the public. An adult one-day ticket combo includes entry to the theme park and water park and is about AU$60. A child one-day ticket combo is about AU$40.
Enjoy listening to the story below about getting those Easter long weekend travels booked before it’s too late. I’ve suggested a road trip and a rail trip that will get you out of Perth for a couple of days.
In the centre of Dryandra at the Barna Mia Sanctuary, little critters shuffle, scuff and scurry under a wonderful canopy of stars.The locals are friendly
Picture Above: The Australind, from the heart of Perth to the heart of Bunbury in just two and half hours (you can even buy snacks).
To help plan your road trip to Dryandra or rail trip to Bunbury I’ve attached some website addresses below:
Enjoy listening to my story below about a wonderful way to spend just a couple of days in Singapore:
Welcome to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel overlooking Marina Bay, just a few minutes walk from everything you need in just two days; shops and attractions
Chris Parry Writes For Us 