About Cynthia Simpson

I am a fun loving woman who loves to explore new destinations and experiences. My philosophy in life is “Have suitcase, will travel” and I like to drag my family and friends along with me to share in the joy. Naturally, along the journey of “life” I like to endure in long, lazy lunches, delicious champagne, creamy chocolate and most important, lots of laughter.

G is for the GARDEN ROUTE and my next SECRET find

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Cynthia Simpson

Continuing on our journey down the Garden Route, I thought that for those not au fait with the route, I should perhaps first expand a little on the area before letting you into my next secret find.

The Garden Route in the Western Cape is one of the most scenic routes in the country and a main tourist attraction. If you had been one of my international clients, visiting South Africa, I would have definitely recommended that, had you the time, you explore this region as a priority on your trip. As for the locals, well, guys, if you have not spent some time at least once on this amazing route, I really do feel for you – you just do not know what you have on your doorstep and what you are missing.

Click HERE to read more about my secret find on a road less travelled on the Garden Route

Outeniqua Trout Farm - our lodge is at the top on the left

F is FLORA and our Fabulous Cape FYNBOS

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Cynthia Simpson

If you have never been to South Africa, and you were wondering what kind of floral kingdom it would have, perhaps, because you think of it as being hot and sunny, you assume that it’s pretty desert like and quite scarce in the flower department; well nothing could be further from the truth.

10% of the world’s flowering species are found in South Africa with the Cape Floristic Kingdom being one of the world’s six plant kingdoms. The others are the Antarctic, Australasian, Boreal, Neotropic and the Palaeotropic. This makes us the only country in the world where an entire plant kingdom can be found inside its borders.

Read more about this HERE and please send me some comments

The King Protea

E is for EAT!

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Cynthia Simpson

There is nothing more pleasurable than sitting around a table with family and friends sharing a meal. Whether it’s a lovingly prepared meal at home or a carefully planned dinner or lunch at a restaurant, there is something about the sharing of food that seems to relax people, makes them talk more, everyone just seems to be happier, in my case; the champagne definitely helps too….

In South Africa, our most popular way of entertaining on the weekend is to have a “braai” or barbecue. I definitely have “braai envy” when I catch that smell of the braai wafting over from the neighbors, my stomach begins to growl in a very unfeminine way and it does not then need much encouragement from my side before hubby will have the fire going,

To continue reading click HERE

D is for Dagga Boys

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Cynthia Simpson

In South Africa, cannabis is commonly known as “dagga’ (dah-ga) but do not be deceived into thinking that “Dagga Boys” are therefore some guys smoking it up on the street corner.

When you are on safari and overhear your game ranger mention that he is going to follow up on the “Dagga Boys”, he is definitely not referring to cannabis.

Dagga Boys (pronounced Dagger as in the knife and therefore different to the slang word for cannabis) are what the male Cape Buffalo are known as – specifically the older bulls.

Read more of this HERE and please do make comments if you wish – I look forward to them!

B is for Baffled, Bewildered and Bemused…

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Cynthia Simpson

“B”….mmmm…. as it is always fun to learn about another country’s linguistic heritage, I thought I would share some slang words we use here in South Africa beginning with “B”. I can immediately think of at least eight off the top of my head and I would think there are more.

I am an English speaking South African, but we use many Afrikaans and also some African words as slang, in fact, our language is literally peppered with such words so much so that I always make a very definite effort when chatting to tourists or foreigners not to use slang as otherwise I think they would assume we are speaking some sort of dialect….

Click here to read more of this post and leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

C is for Cape Town’s (in)famous Doctor

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Cynthia Simpson

Cape Town has a wonderful Mediterranean climate with mild winters and pleasant summers. With eleven hours and more of summer sunshine, basking on the beach, hiking in the mountains, cycling around the Peninsula, watching another gorgeous sunset or just relaxing in your garden are the order of the day. Not always though…..

Down here in “slapstad” (sleepy city) as the people up country call Cape Town (obviously they are just jealous and wish they could live here too), something else which we are (in)famous for is our strong south- eastern wind, which is known locally as the Cape Doctor or the south easter.

Continue to read and comment on this post HERE

B is for Battlefields

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Cynthia Simpson

Northern and central KwaZulu Natal has some of the most beautiful landscapes in South Africa, it all looks so peaceful, yet it was only between 100 and 130 years ago, that this area was engulfed in fierce battles, some between the British and the Zulus,

Isandlwana Lodge in the background with Zulu huts

others between the Boers and the British – all were to shape both South African and British history.

I am not sure why, but when I was at school, I was never particularly interested in the history of my country, it just seemed boring. So, when I first visited the Isandlwana Battlefield area about 11 years ago…….Click HERE to read more of this post and leave a comment

A is for Addo Elephant National Park

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Cynthia Simpson

South Africa is all about Adventure and, although other subjects sprang to mind beginning with “A”, the Addo Elephant National Park won hands down. Being a huge fan of elephants coupled with my love of the outdoors and our amazing National Parks also helped

The original section of the Park was found in 1931 to provide a sanctuary for the eleven remaining elephants in the area. Today, this finely tuned ecosystem is home to over 500 elephants including buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra as well as the unique flightless dung beetle.

Click here to read more about this post and leave a comment – I look forward to hearing from you.

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