iDale

I like to get away to the bush every chance I can. There is something incredible about being placed in the middle of the wild for a week with no fences, no security and no electricity – that’s life at Megwe Camp in the Tuli Block, Botswana.

Before I begin, lets just get one thing straight here… The zoo is fun. Pilanesberg is cute. Kruger is a little more real. But Botswana… it.  is. the. wild.

That’s why I was so excited when I was invited to join some friends and these fine animals for the past week!

We charged past border control straight into the bush

The moment we drove out of the Pontdrift border post we were viewing game – and it never stopped for six days solid, even when we were in the camp, which was a gorgeous set of four chalets nestled inside a natural wall of trees with a view down to a watering hole less than 100m away. There was a central kitchen area with a lounge and balcony which had a fridge and freezer powered by generator. Other than that there was no electricity available to us.

Each evening the camp was illuminated with lanterns for us and a large fire was prepared for our nightly braai. Of course we added so much wood to it the place nearly went up in flames at least three times. But that’s just life in the bush when you’re a pyromaniac.

Pumba and offspring were part of the arrival committee

Each day we had an optional morning and evening game drive with our personal guide “soccer”. This man was born in the region and lived and learned the land before becoming a certified ranger more than 10 years ago – what a champ. He even took us for walks into the wild and educated us on everything from footprints and nests to carcasses and birdlife.

One evening he took us up a hill to a famous protected area where we hung out by a baobab tree with wine and snacks watching the sun set in the african sky – utter beauty! The area was also full of artifacts from the very first settlers and anything we found was placed on a rock along with other findings from previous visitors to the site.

Cape Town's got NOTHING on this vibe

There is really no point trying to describe this indescribable trip. How do you clearly put across the feeling you get when you’re lying in bed and suddenly all goes silent before you hear the cry of a hyena in the silence of the night crawl down your spine? How do you paint a picture of sitting peacefully when suddenly you hear a dog bark? And I’m not talking about a dachshund. I’m talking about a 100% bloodthirsty wild dog who’s bark is filled with evil!

Well, you can’t describe it all, and that’s why I’ve put together a selection of photos I took using my new Nikon DSLR camera for you (more on that later). I can only hope they convey some of the incredible experiences I had while away.

Click here to look at more photos of my incredible Botswana trip…

Some bloke, Yelken Octuri, who designs interiors for Airbus just just blown me away with his Honeymoon space shuttle design for a bit of weightless you-know-what in space.

1. Launch into space

Space tourism is getting closer than most married couples do, so the Honeymoon space shuttle concept aims to offer a unique zero gravity experience for couples to reconnect or set the bar with.

2. Your love-pod is released into the galaxy

The Shuttle contains five capsules, each hosting a couple for a 48-hour flight – there’s also a specific mechanism that will keep you and your partner together to enjoy the pleasures of microgravity lovemaking.

3. Your capsule opens and gets into position with a view

4. Let the games begin

The capsules are dropped at an altitude of 200 km and once the flight is finished, each capsule follows an automatic and autonomous return flight…

5. A gentle landing before lighting up a smoke

Weightless Sex Warning

Like any form of aviation, the weightless bump and grind must respect a few rules. You’re not totally free in space and must know that any action triggers a reaction. So make sure you aren’t sent flying across the capsule and smashing into the wall (unless that’s your thing). Soft and gentle does it!

Think Star Wars theme music...

The new Bombardier Global 8000 business jet is quit simply the most desirable object on my list-to-have:

No, this is not the new Facebook for iPad.

Business aviation does not get better with an unparalleled combination of cabin comfort and unprecedented range capabilities such as LA-Sydney, Hong Kong-New York, and Mumbai-New York.

Mile high bliss

Just look at the comfortable cabins you’ll recline in while traveling at speeds just below the sound barrier.

At $65m you'll certainly have your own chef in the sky

What’s more it that next-generation GE engines developed for this aircraft set the new standard for efficiency, with the lowest fuel burn and lowest emissions in its class. So it’s the best for emissions out of a bad bunch of planes.

Makes for bearable goodbyes

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and watch the intro on their web site: iamglobal.bombardier.com

I’ve never surfed in my life, but when I see photos like this I can only imagine the thrill these beach bums get when inside a a huge wave… mmm. Pretty!

Luggage is so boring! But with these great stickers, you can liven up your old bag and get some raised eyebrows from the airport officials (even if they are for the wrong reasons)…

If you’re not that risky and naughty, you could try the cash route…

Else, get your Pablo on…

If all else fails, smuggle an air hostess…

If you’re into covering things up with stickers, check out the range of Garage Doors to Die For.

Draw your attention to Navagio – located on the north-west shore of the Ionian island of Zakynthos:

Navagio is an isolated sandy cove and one of the most famous beaches in Greece… this has got to convince you that there IS a god!

It is notable because it is home to the wreck of the alleged smuggler ship Panagiotis… that’s why it’s often referred to as ‘Smugglers Cove’. Smuggle away…

Best you get yourself the Largest Yacht in the World or better yet, The Worlds Biggest Yacht, Really this time!

For me personally? I’ll settle with 86 Feet of Sea-Slicing Yacht Heaven!

Almost two years ago we saw Sandton City begin its transformation of a R1,77-billion ‘masterplan’, which includes refurbishment of the existing centre, addition of 30 000 m2 of new retail space, improved access and additional parking bays.

But the ‘masterplan’ part?? Behold…

You see the second building from the left? That’s the existing landmark tower that’s graced the JHB skyline for decades. That means the bad boy on the far left is new – 80 stories of glamour to be precise! I believe that may make this building the tallest in the southern hemisphere.

The not-so-well-known Lory Park Zoo in Midrand is amazing! I’m not a supporter of confined animals, but I was really impressed by the quality of the venue and the food that the animals are fed… “their coats are gorgeous!” one lady exclaimed!?

Check out www.lorypark.co.za

Don’t forget to see the Timotei Lioness Advert too.

Bringing the oomph and precision of Formula 1 to travel bags, Samsonite has announced its union with McLarenSport to produce a line of luxury travel bags that will not only ensure safety and security but also add style to your traveling….

Just look at these stylish okes!

Apart from being lightweight and durable, the trademark of Samsonite’s collection, the new line of luggage presents a high-end wheel suspension system that absorbs the impact of bumpy ground to protect the valuables inside the bag, quite reminiscent of the trendy F1 racing cars, which protect the valuable driver inside.

Produced under the “McLarenSport Samsonite Black Label Collection,” the bags (starting at $326) will be launched this year at all Samsonite stores worldwide. How sweet are the little F1 wheels???

If you were stranded in the middle of nowhere, this is what you would want:

Basically it’s a plethora of survival gear including waterproof matches, a surgical blade, an emergency blanket, emergency whistle, 50 ft. of fishing line with four hooks and sinker weights, five wound closure strips, a map compass, and three feet of duct tape, all of which is stored in a waterproof bag!

You can grab one for a puny $15 (about R125) Over here.