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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Road Trip to Mpumalanga
Its Travel Tuesday and this post is to encourage us to take more road trip.
When I was growing up, I recall how my parents loved taking road trips. Their philosophy was, if you have a good working car, money for petrol and can afford a decent hotel, there’s really no excuse to take a road trip.
Fast-forward to my adult life, I’m fortunate that my +1 had a similar childhood and his family went on road trips.
When I think about it, the foundation of our relationship and getting to know each other came from the road trips we took. We are that couple that chose to drive 18h24 min (1773,5 km) – Johannesburg to Namibia for one of our travel adventures. That’s one of the the many remarkable, breath-taking adventures we took.
So when he suggested a road trip to Mpumalanga, I loved the idea. Road trips are not about the destination, they are about the company and most importantly the things you do and get to see along the way.
Our check list for road trip:-
- Good working Car, Tyres in good condition, iPod, Camera, Snacks, Books and Sunnies.
The day we left, the weather was perfect – cloudy with spots of rain in certain areas.
What we did?
When we arrived in Mbobela (Nelspruit) the weather was not great, it was raining. Fortunately for us, it was not our 1st visit to Mpumalanga, we had previously visited most of the scenic landmarks.
We did still manage to do a self-drive past Sabie – Pilgrims Rest – Graskop – The Pinnacle – Gods Window – Wonder view. When the rain eased in some areas, we managed to stop at Mac Mac Falls, visited Pilgrim Rest and had pancakes in Graskop.
Mac Mac Falls 
Anyone travelling to Mpumalanga for the 1st time, I highly recommend you spend at least 1 full day exploring the Panorama route, and do visit God’s Window, Wonder view, the Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes.
Where we at?
When I travel with my +1, we really do keep it simple from a food perspective, he is not a big fan of dining, he does it for me.
We had lunch at Kuzuri, a gorgeous restaurant surrounded by the natural beauty of the Lowveld bush in a tranquil setting at the Botanical Gardens. The inside dining area is quite formal and the outside is perfect for a relaxed breakfast, lunch, supper or sundowner.
The staff were warm, welcoming and friendly. The service was good but not very attentive, I ordered a vegetarian spring rolls and was given chicken spring rolls, my +1 ordered a cola tonic and lemonade and he was given a passion fruit and lemonade.
The menu has something for everyone and great to see a selection for vegetarians. I created a vegetarian tapas which was great except the halloumi was extra salty. My +1 enjoyed his vegetarian wrap.
2. Harrie’s Pancakes Pannekoek
While in Graskop, we decided to have dessert at Harrie’s Pancakes Pannekoek. As the name suggest, this place is all about pancakes – savoury and sweet but they do have other food items on the menu.
The place is pumping with tourist coming in and out. Timing at this place is everything, we arrived just after a big group of tourist had left and managed to get a table.
The pancakes are fresh and taste really good. The service was ok, and the pricing of the food is decent. This is one of those places that you have to stop at when in Graskop.
Where we stayed?
We were based in a lovely Tuscan style hotel in Nelspruit, La Villa Vita.
Nestled in a in a quiet residential area in picturesque setting, the hotel is ideal for guests travelling for leisure and business. The hotel has meeting facilities, wedding venues and comfortable accommodation.
Accommodation
La Villa Vita has 21 rooms all offer a flat-screen TV with selected DSTV channels, air-conditioning, minibar, tea-and-coffee facilities and private bathrooms.
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi, a gorgeous pool, gym, spa, restaurant, Bar/Lounge, private Jacuzzi.
The hotel is surrounded by nature reserve and it’s extremely peaceful. We enjoyed our walks in the garden and just lounging by the pool with a pool. A perfect place for some R&R.
TS!
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Wrong turns that lead to hidden gems – Milk Bar Rosebank
Love it when I take a wrong turn and stumble across hidden gems. In this instance, I stumbled across a place called Milk Bar an African-retro styled café located on Keyes Avenue in Rosebank. I decided to grab a bite to eat and catch up on my emails.
I’m an adventurous eater but having adopted a vegetarian lifestyle, I’m constantly disappointed at the limited selection one finds at restaurants. When I saw the menu at Milk Bar I was impressed to see that they have a nice selection of vegetarian options and a wide range of food that caters to a wide range of taste buds.
I opted for the vegetarian bunny chow, so I asked the waiter how big it was, he told me that it was a Rosebank size bunny chow and not Durban size or the type you find in the hood:-) He was not kidding!!
Rosebank size vegetarian bunny chow To drink, I opted for the Iced lemonade and mint drink which was extremely refreshing. Milk Bar is lovely place to unwind, I like the fact that it’s different in a very awesome way.
Milk Bar also has other locations:-
- Pritchard Street in downtown Joburg,
- Kramerville design district in Sandton – 6 Desmond St, Kramerville
Another Splendid Experience!
TS!
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Tree Natural Concepts
I stumbled upon Tree Natural Concept this morning in between meetings in Umhlanga. ‘Tree Natural Concept is a wellness concept store combining tree yoga, a beautiful holistic yoga studio, and tree café, a café serving coffees, smoothies, juices and light meals.’
Decided to grab some brekkie and do some work while waiting for my next meeting. I had the Foundation (Mashed avo, poached eggs on toast) the food is clean, healthy and tastes really good. They have a great menu selection.
Love the look, its clean, fresh and earthy. I will definitely be back here, it’s my type of meeting/working environment. I do hope I can fit it a bit of Yoga when back in Umhlanga.
- The shop location – Ground floor of the Protea Building, Corner of Lighthouse Road & Ridge Road, Umhlanga Village.
The staff are friendly, helpful and serve you with a smile.
I’m truly falling in love with Durban again and its great to see that they are adopting a healthy lifestyle and opening these amazing places.
Another Splendid Experience!
TS!
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The city by the bay – San Francisco (California, USA)
After spending 3 days in San Jose for my clients workshop, stopping in San Francisco before we went back home was what we needed. When one thinks of the iconic symbols of San Francisco, the following come to mind -The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Cable cars and the houses from Full House (yes I grew in that era) known as the Painted Ladies.
San Francisco is the fourth-most populous city in California, after Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose, and the 13th-most populous city in the United States. – source wikipedia
Where we stayed?
Our accommodation was booked at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, we wanted a hotel that was centrally located and could give us access easy to the city’s attractions. The hotel lobby is a constant buzz, when entering for the 1st time, one would think they were entering a busy mall.
The staff were welcoming and after our awful experience at the Hilton Hotel in San Jose, it was truly refreshing to arrive at a hotel and have no issues with our booking. Things worked out so well, I even scored a room upgrade and stayed in the Deluxe Suite. The room was overkill for me, I felt lost but enjoyed the space and the magnificent views of the city.
City views from my room The room has living/sitting area, equipped with flat-screen TVs, high-speed Internet a mini kitchen with minibar and tea and coffee making facilities. The bathroom was ok, for the size of the room they could have used the space better and has a bathroom that has a stand-alone shower not inside a bath. I’m not a fan of bath shower with shower curtains.
Hotel facilities and amenities
Spa, fitness centre, business centre, barber shop, hair salon, free Wi-Fi in the lobby, drug store, concierge and valet.
Dining
The hotel has a choice of three places to eat:-
- Bin 55 restaurant, located in the hotel lobby – offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Mission Street Pantry also located in the hotel lobby – deli type concept perfect for guests on the go.
- The View Lounge, located on the 39th Floor with spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline – offers small bites and signature cocktails.
Overall great location, well run, friendly staff and comfortable stay (thanks to my upgrade)
What we did?
There’s so much to do in San Francisco, so it’s imperative to have an idea of what one wants to see and do. My suggestion is plan in advance, it does make it easier to navigate through all the things that can be done.
We opted to go on the Big Bus tours, but before we got on the tour we had an idea of the key things we wanted to see. What I like about the Big Bus Tour is the flexibility of being able to get on and off at your own pace, while on the bus you also get to learn about the city through their narrated guide and It also allows you to see a lot more sights in a day.
Sadly thou, due to popular demand we missed out on going to Alcatraz Island.
Our drive to Golden Gate Bridge 
The Golden Gate Bridge 
The cable car, an icon of San Francisco Another highlight of our trip was visiting Sausalito, a small town situated across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. (Another town that reminds me of Knysna in the Western Cape, South Africa) Views from there across the bay toward San Francisco are just amazing.
The town is equipped with restaurant, art galleries, souvenir shops and hotels. A place where I could see myself living. I just like the simpleness of this town. We noticed that there were a lot of tourist cycling. I found out that cycling was popular with tourist, they usually hire a bike, cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge, and then down into Sausalito.
Where we ate
Unless I’m travelling with foodies, I tend not to make food a priority and really prefer the simple meal options. The people I was travelling with were also not fussy as to where we ate.
- A deli/café in the lobby of San Francisco Marriott Marquis. They have a wide selection from sandwiches to pizzas to salads to pastries and deli items. They are limited from a vegetarian perspective. I had the Chef’s grilled cheese and ham and requested they remove the ham. The grilled cheese sandwich was really good.
- The coffee is also good, a great break from Starbucks. Always good to try something new.
- Lobby Level – San Francisco Marriott Marquis, 780 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA
- 415-442-6134
- We came to realise that timing is everything with this place. Just as we were ordering our food the line got really long and were told that’s normal. They are known to have the best burgers and worth the wait. It’s a simple no bells and frills shop with very tight space.
- Unfortunately they don’t have a vegetarian’s burger option so I opted for a vegetarian burrito. The burrito was good and my travel companions loved their burgers.
- 737 bridgeway hamburgers, Sausalito, San Francisco, CA
- 415- 332-9471
- 737 bridgeway hamburgers, Sausalito, San Francisco, CA
- They don’t call it the view lounge for no reason, located on the 39th floor of San Francisco Marriott Marquis and offers spectacular views of the city through massive arched windows.
- The view lounge is more of a cocktail lounge and offers small plates of food for sharing. A great place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.
- 780 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (Downtown)
- 415-442-6003
San Francisco was really great experience and my travel companions were great.
TS!!
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San Jose – Silicon Valley (USA)
I love #FlashBackFridays I get to reminisce on my travel adventures.
When I learned that we were going to run an event at my clients head office in Palo Alto Silicon Valley -the home to the world’s largest technology companies. I was beyond ecstatic. Such a privilege to be awarded this opportunity.
The planning was tricky, we had very tight deadlines but we somehow managed to make it work. We would spend 3 days in San Jose for the workshop and 2 days in San Francisco.
As much as this trip was a long life dream, I write this post with a heavy heart. Emotionally it was the hardest trip of my life, a complete emotional roller coaster. I landed in the US on Sunday and early hours on Monday, the dreaded call came in. I learned of the passing of a dear friend and brother. We were so torn but made a decision based on the on information we had received back home. We stayed, and somehow managed to survive the emotional roller coaster. The day time was way better than the night time.
Where we stayed
Our base was San Jose, the third-largest city by population in California, the tenth-largest by population in the United States and a major technology hub in the California bay area.
Our accommodation was booked at the Hilton Hotel, I usually like to write a basic review of the hotels I stay at but our experience at the Hilton was not great.
On arrival we had issues with our booking, the staff working the afternoon shift were clueless and credit cards were billed incorrectly. The hotel rooms and bathrooms are old, the carpet in the room is questionable. The hotel is in need of a refurbishment.
This is the 3rd Hilton Hotel that just seem to have lost the edge slightly, the is no longer what it used to be. The only thing that I did like was the fact that their Affinity Restaurant & Bar had a Starbucks, I could have my morning coffee fix before going to work.
What we did
The purpose of the trip was a 3 day client workshop at HP Headquarters, 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, California.
We were well received by the HP local team, all our requirements were met with a smile and were made to feel at home. The HP Customer Centre is high tech, love the fact that they use their products for everything. Its great advertising mechanism.
The screens (bottom image) are the HP ENVY Curved All-In-One The world’s widest curved All-in-One 
Using the Sprout (all-in-one desktop with built in projector, a touch-mat display, and advanced 3D-scanning hardware) in the meeting room – super cool! We got a tour of the facilities and products in the centre and got to see the original offices of the Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard. The entire experience was incredible.
Touring Silicon Valley
Our last day was spent touring Silicon Valley, our 1st stop was the HP Garage – the birthplace of Silicon Valley. Knowing the history of Silicon Valley, HP and seeing images of the garage, being at 367 Addison Avenue was an unbelievable moment.
HP Garage We also got to see the headquarters of LinkedIn, Facebook, Apple, Adobe, Intel and Google. We were fortunate to go inside Intel and we visited the museum.
Intel Museum 
Facebook Headquartes Google was another amazing experience, we got access inside one of the buildings thanks to one of the HP managers who had a meeting and invited us all to join him. Having watched the Intern, it was lovely seeing areas where he movie was shot.
Googleplex 
The Tyrannosaurs Rex skeleton named Stan which was discovered near Google’s headquarters. 
Different versions of Android, named after something sweet- kitkat, froyo, gingerbread, marshmallow, lollipop, honeycomb, eclair, ice cream sandwich, cupcake, donut, jelly bean. 
We then spent the afternoon at Stanford University and did the walking tour of the university.
The leafy campus in the heart of Silicon Valley has produced some of the most influential tech entrepreneurs since the beginning of Silicon Valley, starting with Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard in the mid-30s to the likes of Sergey Brin and Larry Page, the founders of Google, Marissa Meyer (Yahoo), Intel, Netflix, LinkedIn, YouTube…etc
‘Founded in 1885 by California Senator Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, in memory of their only child, Leland Jr., who died of typhoid fever at 15, the Stanfords determined that they would use their wealth to do something for “other people’s” children.
They decided to create a university, one that, from the outset, was untraditional: coeducational in a time when most private universities were all-male; nondenominational when most were associated with a religious organization; and avowedly practical, producing “cultured and useful citizens” when most were concerned only with the former.’
Image on the left is the Hoover Tower, a 285 feet (87m) structure on campus. The tower houses the Hoover Institution Library & Archives founded by Herbert Hoover before he became President of the United States. 
Views from the top of the Hoover Tower ‘Today Stanford University is one of the world’s leading research universities. It is known for its entrepreneurial character, drawn from the legacy of its founders, Jane and Leland Stanford.’ ** Source http://facts.stanford.edu/about/
Stanford has a warm feel to it and get why at times its referred to as the farm. Its a beautiful campus, full of trees, fountains, manicured gardens, great student facilities and lovely frat houses. They seem to have everything there: post office, Starbucks, eateries, libraries and some form of entertainment. It truly was an amazing experience.
Fraternity Houses Where we ate?
I was tasked with finding dinner restaurants while we were in San Jose. 1st night we had dinner at our hotel restaurant, the Affinity Restaurant & Bar – the only good thing about the Hilton. Their menu selection was substantial and catered to most people, the food was appetizing and the service was great.
Our 2nd night we had dinner at The Grill on the Alley, a well renowned Steak house. The food here was exceptional, they serve large portions of steaks, chops, fresh seafood and pasta. The vegetable were cooked well…overall amazing dining experience. Highly recommend it, its a tad pricey but we left feeling extremely satisfied.
On the last night we ventured out to Santana Row – an outdoor shopping mall in San Jose at times referred to at the Rodeo Drive of San Jose. We had dinner at El Jardin Tequila Bar & Restaurant, we could not come to San Jose and not have Mexican food. For me the atmosphere, service and vibe were great but I was not blown away by the food. We shared Nachos as a starter and I had a burrito which tasted ok. Apparently the Tacos were not bad, should have ordered those.
Santana Row 
Santana Row Even though we were in San Jose for business, the trip was great. My highlight was being in Silicon Valley, definitely a place that I would visit again.
Look out for my post next Friday, I will be blogging about our adventures in San Francisco.
Till next Friday, stay Splendid!
TS!
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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