Welcome to my blog !
A place where I will share my personal anecdotes from my travel adventures and my vegetarian culinary experiences. A space where I will catalogue all things Splendid.
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January Book Review
- Heart the Lover – Lily King
- 5 Stars
…‘Love is crushing. Love is something you let yourself feel at your own peril, despite your better sense’…
I read this book on a Saturday, and I couldn’t put it down, it was that good. A deeply moving story with an intricate throuple.
The story follows a young woman nicknamed Daisy, later known as Jordan – a name given to her by Sam and Yash, her classmates in a literature course. The novel follows Jordan’s life from her senior year of college to adulthood, where she is married with children.
During her college years, Jordan spends most of her time with Sam and Yash, sharing long discussions about literature and bonding over card games. Friendships evolve into romance, introducing emotional complexity and difficult choices. These decisions, deeply influenced by questions of faith and life’s complexities, shape the course of their futures.
As the story shifts to a married Jordan, the impact of those formative years becomes clear. The choices made in college echo forward, altering their lives in ways that cannot be undone. When long-buried secrets resurface amid a terminal illness, Jordan, Yash and Sam are forced to confront the lasting consequences of their past.
Heart the Lover ripped my heart in half and left me shattered. This was my first Lily King book, and I loved her writing style; this story is told from a narrator’s perspective. The characters were memorable and the story telling gripped me from the first chapter. I fully understand the hype around this book and why it became a favourite for so many readers in 2025.
2. Before We Were Strangers – Renee Carlino
- 5 Stars
‘We were victims of bad timing. But here we are again.’
As I read Matthias and Graceland’s story, my heart ached for them in the best possible way, and I found myself cheering for them. Their bond felt like a once‑in‑a‑million kind of love, destined to endure every challenge and hardship that was thrown their way.
Matt and Grace meet in college on their first day at Senior College and become ‘Fast Friends’ – they become inseparable. Matt is an aspiring photographer, while Grace is a music major. Their bond is magnetic; they inspire and nurture each other’s creative gifts, and over time their friendship deepens into love, both believing it will last forever.
But when they’re each offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Matt accepts his without any hesitation, while Grace has her reservations. As they navigate the next phase of their lives, things fall apart – everything begins to unravel, there’s communication breakdown – time passes and life goes on.
3. Twice – Mitch Albom
- 4 Stars
‘You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.’
Twice is packed with so many meaningful moments, I could not put it down.
The book begins with Alfie (Alfred) Logan in Nassau, being interrogated by a detective for allegedly cheating and winning millions at a casino roulette wheel. During the interrogation, he reads from a notebook and relays the intriguing story of his life – spanning his time in Africa and America. We also discover that Alfie has a unique ability to go back and do things a second time, altering the outcome for better or worse. His love story pulls you in; it’s earnest, compelling, and filled with valuable lessons along the way.
When I was reading this book, I had a few moments of reflection and wondered; if I had the ability to go back, what moments would I choose to do twice? For me, there are two pivotal moments, and both involve using the time I had with people who were once dear to the fullest.
This is the third Mitch Albom book I’ve read. The first was Tuesdays with Morrie, which I discovered while navigating life with a terminally ill sibling. That book became the therapy I needed. Twice was just as profound for me, and it served as a powerful reminder to cherish the time we have with the people we love- real life has no do-overs.
4. The First Time I Saw Him – Laura Dave
- 3.5 Stars
The First Time I Saw Him is the sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me, it was selected as one of Reese’s Book Club picks for January and the novel generated significant interest, following the release of the Apple TV series trailer which will air on the 20th February 2026.
The book is a continuation of the story from Last Thing He Told Me. Although I haven’t read the original, I watched the TV series and found it gripping. Naturally, I was intrigued by The First Time I Saw Him and wanted to read it before the start of the TV series.
The story starts five years after Owen’s disappearance and focuses on Hannah and her stepdaughter Bailey, now living in Southern California. When Owen is spotted, Hannah quickly understands that their safety is at risk, and life begins to unravel for them. Hannah mission is to keep Bailey safe. The story delves into the past, I enjoyed getting to know all the other characters and the intricacies of their connections. The one theme that stood out for me in this book, is family and the lengths people go to protect their loved ones.
The book is fast paced and easy to get into. I’m still on the fence on whether reading the book before the TV series will have an impact. I guess I’ll have the answer once I’ve watched the TV series.
5. An Almost Perfect Summer – Jill Mansel
- 3.5 Stars
I’m a sucker for books set in small towns, I enjoy the escape and picturing the setting and getting lost in it. This book was fun to read from that perspective but felt the multiple characters that get introduced make it hard to stay engaged.
The story opens with Nella and Nick bickering over the last bunch of roses at a farm shop. Nick is a charming and attractive man who manages luxury holiday homes in a Cotswolds village, while Nella is a highly organized local whose life is abruptly disrupted when she loses her job due to circumstances beyond her control. From there, the novel unfolds through a series of events that gradually draw the two characters together.
Following her redundancy, Nick offers Nella a position at the retreat. Although there is an undeniable spark between them, Nella is determined to resist her growing feelings. As she begins working at the retreat, the reader is introduced to a range of intriguing characters, each with their own storyline. These narratives are thoughtfully interwoven, adding depth and variety to Nick and Nella’s developing relationship.
My only criticism is that I would have liked to see more development in Nick and Nella’s romance. That said, the novel remains thoroughly enjoyable, light-hearted, and entertaining.
6. The Beginning of Everything – Jackie Frase
- 3 Stars
Even though I found the premise of the story in the beginning slightly unrealistic, I enjoyed the unfolding story of Jess and Gethin’s relationship. Jess has escaped a bad relationship and is homeless. She finds shelter and becomes a squatter. Gethin, the owner of the house, a kindhearted man, finds Jess in his home and lets her stay. Jess and Gethin get to know each other, and they become friends who develop feelings for each other.
I was proud of Jess for her bravery for leaving her abusive relationship. Gethin’s patience and kindness towards Jess was commendable.
This is a character-driven story, easy to read and get into. The pacing was good. If the premise wasn’t so unrealistic, I would have given the book 4 stars.
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Exploring Joburg’s Culinary Delights at Mila Restaurant
Food tells a story that imprints memories.
One thing about Joburgers — myself included — is that we truly appreciate the good life, and this was clear the day we headed out for a late lunch at Mila Restaurant at LXX in Sandton. From the moment we arrived, we stepped into an unhurried yet vibrant atmosphere, with patrons enjoying business lunches and others catching up with friends. My friend and I had recently revived our Ladies Who Lunch catch-up, and this outing felt like the perfect way to settle back into it.
The restaurant’s aesthetic exudes understated luxury—warm, elegant, refined, and welcoming.
Image Cred @Mila Restaurant 
Image Cred @Mila Restaurant As a non‑drinking vegetarian foodie, I’ve learnt to manage my expectations when it comes to mocktails. All too often, they’re served in plain glass tumblers that feel more like an afterthought than a crafted drink. So when my mocktail arrived beautifully presented and photo ready, I was pleasantly surprised. In that moment, I knew we were off to a very good start.
The food…shew…where does one even begin? It was that good. I ordered a selection of vegetarian dishes, and honestly, I savoured every single one. The Zucchini Keftedes was without a doubt my favourite meal.
The dessert was just as delicious and beautifully presented.
Left Image – Dakos Burrata; Top Image – Halloumi Ricotta Ravioli; Right Image – Zucchini Keftedes 
Dessert
Top Image – Hazelnut Tart; Bottom Image – Kafethaki Vanilla BruleOut of 10, I would rate our overall experience 9.
- Food gets a 9.
- Restaurant aesthetics and ambience gets a 9.
- Price gets a 7, the food is on the pricey side but on all fairness, eating out has become a tad pricey.
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2025 Reading!
“Something magical can happen when we read a good book.”
Books have a unique power to take us to places we may never physically go – they offer an escape. The stories allow our imagination to travel freely, introducing us to new ideas, perspectives and igniting our imagination.
Two years ago, I started being intentional with limiting my screen time. I then set a target to read at least 1 book a month. Fast forward to 2025 and I have managed to read 60 books. Fiction being the books I read most.
2025 books I read! What makes a book great in my view is when the story and the characters stay embedded in my heart and mind long after I have read the book. I will share brief review of the books that gave me that feeling. These books I couldn’t put down. In some instances, I found myself reading through the night.
I have picked 12 books for the number of months, this was a real daunting task but I managed.
The book review will focus on 3 things;
o Is the story enjoyable?
o Are the characters memorable?
o Is it a book that I can re-read?
Each book will be graded out of 5.
2025 Top 12 Reads! - The Wish – Nicholas Spark
• 5 stars- The story opens in 2019, where we meet Maggie, a renowned New York–based photographer who owns a gallery. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Mark, who soon begins working at the gallery. As Maggie and Mark grow closer, Maggie reflects on her past, taking us on an emotional journey of her past. The story shifts to 1996, when a young Maggie is sent away to live with her aunt. There, she meets Bryce, a warm-hearted boy wise beyond his years. A deep friendship forms between them, and it’s Bryce who introduces Maggie to photography. He becomes a vital source of support during a formative time in her life.
- The Wish is a complex story that addresses important societal issues and life challenges.
- Maggie as a character stayed with me for days, weeks and months after reading. I loved the setting and the story. This book, I couldn’t put down.
- Cant Get Enough – Kennedy Ryan
• 5 stars- After reading This Could Be Us and Before I Let Go, this book was one of my most anticipated reads for the year and it didn’t disappoint.
- Hendrix is a successful businesswoman and has phenomenal friends. She’s facing a few life challenges, her toughest being caring for her aging mother. She meets Maverick Bell, a tech billionaire whose chasing the next big thing in his life. Sparks fly. There’s instant attraction but Maverick is in an entanglement, which complicates their instant connection.
- As destiny would have it, his relationship comes to an amicable ending. This gives Maverick an opportunity to pursue Hendrix. The romance between them is shown beautifully – its smart, its uplifting, its loving wholeheartedly and supportive.
- What brings them together is a shared experience of having a family member who had or has Alzheimer’s.
- I love how Kennedy Ryan always builds awareness for a variety of topics in her books. I also enjoyed reading about black love shown in a positive light.
- Atmosphere – Taylor Jenkins Reid
• 5 stars- The story follows Joan Goodwood who gets selected for the NASA’s space shuttle programme in the 80ties. In the book, you get to relive Joan’s past and present while in the programme. You also meet the other canditates/ characters who are part of the programme and have an impact in her life in some shape or form.
- This is a voyage of discovery for Joan, not just in space but also her self-discovery. The story is fast-paced, gripping and heartbreaking.
- A beautiful tribute to the women who broke boundaries in the 80ties when women were only just being accepted into space programs.
- The story and the characters stayed with me for a long time after reading this book.
- We all want impossible things – Catherine Newman
• 5 stars- A book about two imperfect best friends since childhood, Ashley and Edith, who have been through everything together. As adults they are navigating a difficult time in their lives – Edith has terminal cancer.
- While the book is heavy and sad in places, it also celebrates friendship, relationships and love.
- We All Want Impossible Things reminded me of a quote that says ‘The only certainty in life is death.’ As much as the story is about the inevitable, the story is just as much about living. It is a story of full of life and laughter.
- Seven days in June – Tia Williams
• 4.5 stars- This story is not a simple love story; its romantic, it’s compelling and layered in past traumas and survival.
- It follows two writes, Eva, a single mom and Shane, a successful bad boy of the literary world. They have a romantic past. When they reconnect after fifteen years, they have chemistry; it’s steamy, its messy, its complicated as they have to confront their past.
- I loved this book. I’m a sucker for second-chance romance and Tia Williams delivered with the portrayal of the characters and their flaws in this book.
- Love Marry Kill – Zukiswa Wanner
• 4 stars- Two couples, one steamy love affair and a hitman. ‘Till death do us part’ means different things to people. This book is an emotionally layered love story with twist and turns. This book is a page-turner, which dives into the messiness of infidelity and the length people will go to keep what’s theirs.
- A great read.
- Fabrics of love – Lebo Mazibuko
• 4 stars- Fabrics of Love needs to made into a Limited Series – goodness this was such a pleasant read. Growing up in Soweto, the character, the setting was so relatable.
- The story follows the lives of the Ntoi family, with a particular focus on its women. At the heart of it is Buang, the formidable matriarch who works tirelessly to keep the family together – she’s a fierce protector, she is resilient and sadly has been hardened by her past. Then there’s Prettygirl, the vibrant life of a party – a familiar township character full of charm and energy. Her sister Rosemary is book-smart, focused, and disciplined; she is driven by ambition and purpose. Then there’s their cousin Moipone, a quiet and timid young woman who carries unseen scars from her childhood.
- Through the eyes of these women, the story explores their journeys as they chase their dreams while confronting culture, family secrets, love, relationships and the weight of past trauma.
- A multi layered captivating book. I loved how Lebo Mazibuko brought to light the vibrancy of Meadowlands (Soweto).
- One Golden Summer – Carley Fortune
• 4 stars- I stumbled upon this on Instagram, there was a lot of hype around it, and my curiosity was immediately sparked. I then had to read the 1st book, Every Summer After.
- Carley Fortune has a gift for painting the picture of a magical summer. As much as I loved Percy and Sam’s story in Every Summer After, I connected even more deeply with Charlie and Alice’s journey. This is a story steeped in nostalgia – One picture. Three teens. A yellow boat. Its where past summers collide with present-day choices, and a beautiful friendship slowly unfolds into a deeply emotional summer romance.
- Charlie is charming and self-assured. Alice gives more than she receives, she puts everyone before herself. Charlie helps Alice step out of her shell and Alice helps Charlie deal with his deep regret. They complement each other in so many ways and have the most hilarious banter. Their chemistry felt natural and warm.
- Overall, this was a fun, emotionally rich read, one that truly captures the magic of the lake. As the story reminds us, ‘Good things happen at the lake.’
- Things we left behind – Lucy Score
• 4 stars- This is the third and final book in the Knockemout series. Sloan and Lucian were my most anticipated couple in the series and Lucy Score didn’t disappoint.
- I absolutely loved Sloan and Lucian’s relationship, especially their sharp, entertaining banter. As adults, they may claim to loathe each other, but neither can deny the sparks between them. Their history adds so much depth to the story – from childhood friends, to sworn enemies after an incident that shattered their bond, and finally to lovers.
- Sloan is feisty, witty, and warm-hearted, with dreams of a traditional happy ending – a loving husband and children. Lucian, on the other hand, has become powerful and wealthy, capable of making anything happen, except committing to the idea of family, which he firmly resists.
- I love how Lucian would do anything for Sloane even when he insistent that he didn’t like her. It warmed my heart that they got their happy ending.
- While I didn’t particularly enjoy the crime subplot, it was expected, as it featured heavily in Things We Never Got Over and Things We Hide from the Light. Still, it was a joy to return to Knockemout. I have a soft spot for small-town settings – even fictional ones, as they stretch the imagination and transport you to places you may never otherwise experience.
- Tell me everything – Elizabeth Strout
• 4 stars- It follows a friendship between 90 year old Olive Kitteridge, Bob Burgess whose the central character, a lawyer and acclaimed writer Lucy Barton.
- Through quiet, intimate conversations, Lucy and Bob reflect on their lives and what might have been, while Olive and Lucy share stories about people they have known.
- The true allure of this book lies in its richly drawn characters and their complex inner lives—because human beings themselves are deeply complex. Woven through the narrative is a mystery that gradually unfolds, drawing in characters who carry their own layers of history and emotional depth.
- This book is beautifully written. Although I haven’t read the previous novels in the series, I found it easy to follow and completely captivating from start to finish.
- What a way to go – Bella Mackie
• 3.5 stars- A murder mystery with a humour all in one.
Anthony Wistern is a wealthy, charming, philander with a dysfunctional family set to inherit his fortune. Upon his untimely death, each of them becomes potential suspects. - The characters are self absorbed and not really likeable but they make a good story.
- A murder mystery with a humour all in one.
- The love we found – Jill Santos
• 3.5 stars- A sequel to The Light We Lost, which I would highly recommend reading before starting this book. Ten years have passed, and a great deal of life has unfolded since the end of the first story.
- This sequel is rich with blended family dynamics, hidden truths, and the challenge of confronting the past while learning how to move forward. It explores the reality that people are imperfect and that life is often complicated and messy. The story continues with Lucy a single mother juggling the needs of her children, her life after Gabe and finding love again.
- The story is emotional, it’s moving and it’s well written.
I’m chuffed with what I have been able to accomplish with my reading.
I’m chuffed with what I was able to achieve this year. The goal has been set and I plan to continue in 2026.
- The Wish – Nicholas Spark
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Spain Travel Tuesday Memories!
It’s Travel Tuesday and Im really itching for an overseas trip…our currency at the moment is making it difficult to plan anything. I have decided to reminisce on a trip I took to Spain last year. There’s a quote that I read that says “Traveling, it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a story teller“… love being able to share my travel adventures!
2015 was a great year for my travel adventures. My trip to Spain with my girlfriends (my sisters from another mother) was really awesome. Initially, our plan was a trip to Italy but that never materialised. We just spent too much time trying to plan the perfect holiday and that resulted in us not finding dates that worked for all of us.
The idea to travel to Spain (Barcelona and Ibiza) was driven by a friend who at that time was itching to travel. She was so motivated, she actually planned the entire trip:-)
BARCELONA
The City of Gaudi has a good mix of a vibrant night life, culinary experience, distinctive architecture and culture. Why the City of Gaudi? There is amazing architectural works by Gaudi – La Sagrada Familia, considered Gaudi’s masterpiece which is still under construction. There’s also Casa Milà (La Pedrera) Casa Batlló, Parc Güell…to mention a few.
Where we stayed
Great simple hotel, conveniently located with easy access to the Plaza Catalunya and the famous Las Ramblas. Our arrival was not great, we requested early check-in but when we arrived our room was not ready. We were then given a voucher to shower at the hotel spa, when we got to the spa it was closed and only opened at 11am (We had arrived at 9h30am)
We were booked in their Triple Room (standard double room with an extra bed) The room felt a bit cosy, but we somehow managed.We loved the bathroom, it had a bath, a decent size shower and spacious.
The hotel has an à la carte restaurant, a bar, indoor patio with teka solarium terrace and gardens, gym, meeting rooms for events, swimming pool and free wifi.
Overall the hotel location is great, the staff were helpful and friendly.
What we did
We shopped, ate and partied…we failed dismally from touring Barcelona. The plan was to spend one of the mornings on one of the tours. The only saving grace for me was the fact that I have been to Barcelona and did manage to do a lot of the tourist activities.
On one of the mornings, I did manage to fit in a run and I also walked a bit on one of the afternoons, it was to see the city’s incredible architect.
Where we ate
Barcelona is renowned globally for food and the culture of eating- from your Tapas bar to your fine dining venues, there’s an abundance of places to eat. The places we ate:-
- This place is hidden in one of the streets, very close to the Las Rambla. The place was recommended by a friend who had an amazing experience there.
- Love the menu design – The food was great, they serve Tapas style dishes of very high quality. The service was excellent and the overall atmosphere was fantastic.
- Carrer de la Unió 17, Barcelona, Spain, +34 932 703 458
- We stumbled upon this place on one of our shopping endeavours, it’s the most convenient lunch place.
- The menu has a great selection, love the overall look of this place, it also has a nice relaxed vibe to it and the service was good.
- A great place should you want a break the traditional Barcelona Tapas or Paella meal.
- Barcelona Diagonal, Barcelona, Spain, +34 934 143 232
- This place was recommend to us by the hotel, we were looking for a simple place to grab lunch. Great Tapas selection and overall service was great.
- Plaça Universitat, 5, +34 933 176 488
You can’t go to Barcelona and not visit a rooftop bar, there’s plenty to choose from and all offer views of the city. We visited two bars that came highly recommended:-
- The La Isabela Terrace restaurant is located on the roof of H1898 hotel and has incredible views of the city. The hotel is situated at the next to the Plaza Catalunya, very easy to access.
- It’s a great looking bar, it has a warm vibe and lovely atmosphere. The service was not great but we enjoyed our late evening virgin cocktails. The bar is opened from April – November.
- Hotel 1898 – La Rambla, 109, Barcelona, Spain, +34 935 529 552
- Love the look and feel of this place – sheek, elegant,modern contemporary. It made up for the disaster of an evening we had trying to find a good place to have dinner. One would think that being in Barcelona we would not struggle however we found ourselves in the wrong area with places that had the worst service that resulted in us having dinner at Burger King.
- Arola is located at the Hotel Arts (Ritz Hotel) and has great view of the iconic fish sculpture known as Peix. It’s such a pity we missed out on a opportunity to have dinner there. Their menu looks really great…
- Hotel Arts (Ritz Hotel), Marina 19-21, Barcelona, +34 93 221 1000
We partied at Jamboree Jazz Club – a club that offers different style of music. Our timing was perfect, the evening we went was RnB and Hip Hop night. The overall vibe and was great. The DJ’s were pretty decent.
IBIZA
After 2 days in Barcelona we ventured to the island of IBIZA. We spent the day lounging by the beach and the night partying.
Where we stayed
We stayed at Ushuaia beach hotel – the ultimate party hotel. This place is great if you are looking for a party and beach combination. Ushuaïa has made a name for itself championing huge DJ names and creating the most amazing stage production. I was blown away by the entire production and scale.
The hotel has everything – restaurants, cocktail lounges, beachfront café, rooftop bar, outdoor pools, spa, fitness room, free Wi-Fi, and an outdoor stage.
We were booked in a double superior room, the room is open plan and I particular did not like the bath/shower combination. I guess it serves a purpose for people looking to just sleep, we hardly spent any time in the room.
What we did
We lounged around, partied and ate ourselves silly. We partied at our hotel and at Pacha…the party experience was incredible and very different to how I would go out when in Johanneburg.
The overall trip was EPIC…it really was an amazing catch-up session with my girlfriends. Barcelona and IBIZA are a perfect holiday destination for friends looking to have a good time. The entire experience was SPLENDID!!
TS!!
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Arbour Café and Courtyard
I’m a big fan of small, hidden cafes that offer a relaxed atmosphere with creative décor elements.
This year I have decided that I want to do more features on some of these places paying particular attention to Johannesburg and Durban. I find that Cape Town seems to have an abundance of these places and they seems to have gotten it right when it comes to eateries and coffee culture.
I discovered Arbour Café and Courtyard through a friend who seems to have figured the type of places I like to grab a bite to eat and catch-up over coffee.
This French-inspired eatery has a lovely vibe and you have a choice of eating inside the restaurant or in their lovely courtyard that has ample space and even a small area where they host intimate functions.
The menu selection is substantial and they specialise in traditional crêpes and galettes (traditional savoury pancakes).This hidden gem is perfect for breakfast, lunch and meetups.
Another Splendid Place!!
TS!!
Address: Shop 6, 64 St. Andrews Road, cnr Wrenrose Avenue, Birdhaven
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7am – 4pm;
Tel No: 011-788-4111.
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Dubai Family Holiday – #TravelTuesday
My #TravelTuesday post is from a trip I took to Dubai .
My visits to Dubai have either been in transit or for business, the longest I have ever stayed there was 3 days and I was in training for most of my stay. I never really considered it as a holiday destination.
I had read about all these amazing things that one could experience but for some reason, it was never on my bucket list as a holiday destination. When an offer was put on the table for a family vacay to Dubai, I did not pass on the opportunity.
I must say, I was blown away by the sheer amount of activities available for families, couples and even friends – Dubai is a truly cosmopolitan City.
Where we stayed
We stayed at Jumeriah Beach Hotel, with spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf, the Burj Al Arab and its very own private beach. This hotel is indeed ‘The ultimate family lifestyle experience’
Views of the Burj Al Arab The hotel has a lot to offer:-
- There are 599 ocean-view rooms, 19 traditional Arabian styled beachside villas equipped with the latest technology and wireless internet.
- Six swimming pools and Complimentary access to Wild Wadi Waterpark.
- A Pavilion Sports & Leisure centre, tennis courts, watersports, Talise Fitness centre with the latest Technogym, PADI dive centre and a climbing wall.
- Talise Spa with saunas, massage rooms, hot tubs, Jacuzzi, steam room and plunge pool.
- Sinbad’s Kids Club.
- 5 sensual signature restaurants, including Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean, Latin American and Lebanese, a selection of casual restaurants and 3 bars.
Jumeira Beach Hotel has everything for everyone!!
What I like about travelling with kids is that they somehow unleash the inner child in a person.
We fully immersed ourselves with the all the available hotel activities. We swam, spent the day at Wild Wadi water park, experienced a bit of water sports and ate at the child friendly restaurant.
Overall the experience at Jumeira Beach was fantastic, great staff and great overall service.What we did?
We did venture out the hotel and tried out tried a few child friendly activities:-
- Ski Dubai – an indoor ski resort located at the Mall of the Emirates. Ski Dubai is suitable for all levels and has a lot to offer from tube slides, sightseeing in the chairlift, jumps to a 3,000-metre interactive Snow Park and Zip Wire…this indoor ski resort that has it all. You don’t have to worry about ski clothing or equipment either, Ski Dubai offers guests the use of winter clothing, ski and snowboard equipment.
- Atlantis the Palm Aquaventure Waterpark – Another exhilarating experience with an abundance of waterslides. The highlight for us was the Dolphin encounter we did, we got to play and swim with the Dolphins – a truly once in a lifetime experience.
Other popular activities? - Dubai Fountains – ‘A captivating water, music and light spectacle in Downtown Dubai.’
- Burj Khalifa – The world’s tallest building and impossible to miss from the moment you arrive at in Dubai. The highlight being the observation deck with magnificent views of the entire landscape of Dubai.
- Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo – One of the largest suspended aquarium in the world, located on the Ground Level of The Dubai Mall. Experience the Underwater Zoo now!
- 4×4 Dubai Desert Safari Dubai with Quad Ride, Camel Ride, BBQ Dinner and Belly Dancing – Venture out to the dessert of Dubai and embark on the exhilarating camel ride or quad biking experience followed by dinner in the dessert.
- Shopping Experience – Depending on what you are looking for, Dubai offers a varied shopping experience; The Dubai Mall, the Mall of Emirates, Global Village, Deira Gold Souk, Wafi Mall…etc
I found the Dubai Mall a bit overwhelming, I do love the fact that the malls close late.
Dubai has a lot more on offer, ultimately it all depends on the type of holiday and experience you are looking for.
Best time to travel is November – March which works out well for families looking for a different holiday experience.
TS!
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Coffee, Food, Vinyl – Hard Pressed Cafe
The one thing that I love about Cape Town is the variety of coffee places one can go to. I stumbled upon a place called Hard Pressed Café on Bree Street in Cape Town. Coffee, Food, Vinyl are the core philosophy of this place.
The coffee is great, I particularly love the Vinyl section in the store. It’s a great place to start collecting some old time classic vinyl.
From a food perspective, there’s ample to choose from; they have bagels, croissants, sandwiches, salad and many I particular like how they names some of their food. I had the Elvis Pesto – scrambled eggs, pesto, feta on toast.
Overall experience was splendid – friendly staff, good food, great coffee and awesome music.
TS!!
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Paris in Hartbeesport (Harties)
Whilst driving through Harties, we discovered French Toast Koffie Kafee a quaint little place with a touch of Paris.
Beautiful peaceful setting, with French music playing in the background to create the Parisian café lifestyle.
The café even has a mini replica of the Eiffel Tower, Love lock bridge similar to Pont des Arts bridge (which sadly have been removed from the bridge in Paris), Le mur des je t’aime, lit. the I Love You Wall, an outdoor movie cinema…
Mini replica Eiffel Tower 
Le mur des Je taime – I love you wall The food was good, the service is slow , don’t go there hoping to grab a quick bite to eat. It really is about the entire experience and ambiance that they have tried to create. Will definitely go back to try their wide selection of French Toast.
Mother duck with her ducklings A must for anyone driving past, living or visiting Hartbeespoort.
Contact Details:
Tel: 078 592 6953
Email: info@frenchtoastharties.co.za
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 7:30 – 17:00
Address: Hartbeespoort Aquarium, R511 R27, Hartbeespoort, 0216
About Me
“Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.
My love for travelling was ignited by my parents, they opened our eyes to the world of travel and encouraged us to explore the world.
A lover of all things Splendid. I love travelling, I love discovering new places and experiencing how other cultures live. Amazing memories are created through experiences, no matter how small or big.
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SPLENDID EXPERIENCES 