New research finds materialistic people are less happy in large part because of their lack of gratitude.
There are several theories regarding why materialistic people feel less gratitude. …
The dunes are MINE, all MINE. 🙂
(via io9)
Long Walk to Freedom is an autobiographical work written by South African President Nelson Mandela, and published in 1995 …
The book profiles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison. Under the apartheid government, Mandela was regarded as a terrorist and jailed on the infamous Robben Island for his role as a leader of the then-outlawed ANC. He has since achieved international recognition for his leadership as president in rebuilding the country’s once segregated society. The last chapters of the book describe his political ascension, and his belief that the struggle continues …
His childhood name was Rolihlahla, which is loosely translated as “pulling the branch of a tree”, or a euphemism for “troublemaker“.
Indeed, many of the most winning anecdotes are stories of how the now sainted man bungled, cheated or lied.
Mandela oversaw the formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate crimes committed under apartheid by both the government and the ANC, appointing Desmond Tutu as its chair. To prevent the creation of martyrs, the Commission granted individual amnesties in exchange for testimony of crimes committed during the apartheid era. Dedicated in February 1996, it held two years of hearings detailing rapes, torture, bombings, and assassinations, before issuing its final report in October 1998. …
Though Mandela was influenced by his older contemporary, Gandhi, he did not subscribe to Gandhi’s non-violence. Nelson felt that non-violence worked in India because the British government was reasonable. But that it would not work in South Africa government.
I’d previously read the interesting and controversial book by his warder/censor James Gregory, Goodbye Bafana: Nelson Mandela, My Prisoner, My Friend.
Mandela said that he actually didn’t know Gregory very well. But did state:
“He was one of the most refined warders. Well-informed and courteous with everybody. Soft spoken. Very good observations. I developed a lot of respect for him.”
They made a film I’ve not seen of Gregory’s book.
I’ve also not yet seen the 2013 British/South African biographical film – Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.
Walvis Bay … 85,000 inhabitants … the only natural harbour of any size along the country’s coast. Being rich in plankton and marine life, these waters also drew large numbers of whales …
I walked the “lagoon” for several hours, enjoying innumerable sea birds, pelicans and flamingos.
In 1990 South-West Africa gained independence as Namibia, but Walvis Bay remained under South African sovereignty. At midnight on 28 February 1994 South Africa formally transferred sovereignty over Walvis Bay and the Penguin Islands to Namibia …
Walvis Bay features the very rare mild variation of the arid climate. Walvis Bay receives an average of less than 10 mm of precipitation per year, making it one of the driest cities on the planet. Despite the fact that it has an arid climate, Walvis Bay seldom gets very hot or very cold, an extremely unusual feature for a city featuring this climate. This is primarily due to cold offshore currents near Walvis Bay.
Next time I’m planning on the adventurous 48km drive to Sandwich Harbour, a freshwater lagoon surrounded by dunes, and a favourite amongst anglers and ornithologists
I was hosted 3 nights at the lovely and unique Rossmund Golf Resort just outside Swakopmund, Namibia.
This course, designed by Gary Player, is one of the most interesting desert layouts in the world.
Only one problem — all those pesky Springbok on my Greens. 🙂
You get relief if your ball lands in a Springbok “hole” — but NOT if it lands in Springbok poop.
Put it on the “list”.
Lake Windermere is has the longest maintained ice surface in British Columbia, named ‘The Whiteway‘ this ice surface is used by skaters, skiers, anglers, cyclists, pedestrians, and more. Over the winter months each year the lake plays host to curling bonspiels, hockey tournaments, snow golfers and recreational users.
The video features an original score by local band the Dandelions, called “Take Me There”.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Thanks TC.
Gymnastics coach Joe Softich from Washington State and I were invited to join in the weekly friendly tourney at Rossmund Golf Resort, Swakopmund..
His team won. Mine took the … silver medal.
Bowls or lawn bowls is a sport in which the objective is to roll biased balls so that they stop close to a smaller ball called a “jack” or “kitty”.
National Bowling Associations were established in the late 1800s. In the then Victorian Colony (now State of Victoria in Australia), the (Royal) Victorian Bowling Association was formed in 1880 and The Scottish Bowling Association was established in 1892 …
Today the sport is played in over 40 countries with more than 50 member national authorities. The home of the modern game is still Scotland …
Lawn bowls is usually played on a large, rectangular, precisely levelled and manicured grass or synthetic surface known as a bowling green which is divided into parallel playing strips called rinks. …
End of day, it seemed (like Curling) that Bowls has more to do with drinking Jaegermeister than … sport. 🙂
Loving it, so far. 🙂
Even if I can’t reach vertical on handstand any longer.
The Zambezi (also spelled Zambeze and Zambesi) is the fourth-longest river in Africa …
The Zambezi’s most noted feature is Victoria Falls. …
The river flows swiftly through the Batoka Gorge, the current being continually interrupted by reefs. It has been described as one of the world’s most spectacular whitewater trips …
March is very high water. The first 10 rapids after the falls too dangerous, all that water quickly compressed between towering walls of black basalt.
We put in at rapids #11. Came out by cable car near rapids #24.
One portage was required, around a dangerous bend.
Here’s a promo video from this epic adventure. Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.
Or a short clip of a couple of the BIG waves.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Though the rapids we took on my day ranged from only Class 2 – Class 4, I took some damage during my 3 raft flips. And drank plenty of Zambezi River.
I posted a few more photos.
Actually, I did in the leg climbing up into the truck on the way to the put-in. 🙂
Not inexpensive at about $175 for the day (PDF). But I didn’t hear any complaints. 🙂
Safari Par Excellence – Rafting
related – White-Water Rafting on the Zambezi River
Mozambique is a huge country, twice as long as California.
Tourists mainly visit for the sea. Beautiful beaches and diverse water sports.
I was in Maputo volunteering for the International Gymnastics Federation, my 3-day coaching course hosted at the nation’s main Faculty of Physical Education and Sport.
After it finished, I stayed one extra night with my host Edmundo Ribeiro.
Maputo is considered one of the most interesting and friendly African capitals.
It has a lazy tropical feel yet is scattered with high rise buildings. We took a Sunday afternoon driving tour of the relaxed capital city.
The beach was packed on a Sunday.
The highlight was a seafood feast at Restaurante Costa do Sol, a “Maputo classic”.
Edmundo’s daughter in a popular city park.
How to finish the day?
ICE CREAM, of course.
Unlike South Africa, affluent citizens are not nearly so conspicuous. You have to search them out. They live here.
I’ve met people who contracted malaria in Maputo. But over 5 days there in March I saw only 2 mosquitoes.
Maputo is infamous for random police checks, especially of tourists. The usual request is for a small bribe in exchange for the return of your passport. Savvy travellers carry, instead, a notarized copy of the passport. And ask to be taken to the police station when stopped.
I was carrying my passport when Edmundo got waived over for a random police check. … As it turned out, the lights were not working on one side of his vehicle. It was not random. After paying a small bribe, we drove on.
It’s less dangerous than JoBurg, overall.
Excellent.
Ranked #2 of 68 attractions in Johannesburg:
… architecturally interesting and packed with thoughtful, often brutal, reminders of South Africa’s history.
It’s only 25min drive from JoBurg’s OR Tambo international airport if you ever have a layover.
Rick McCharles 