Category Archives: Travelogues

Land of Amazon, Samba and Carnival – l

In a very horrific sense, they were the lucky ones, for every two out of five captives died while being herded overland to the African coast for shipment to Brazil. A further 15% met their deaths in the dangerous crossing … Continue reading

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Wondrous South America

If Brazil has the Amazon River and Amazon jungle, which has been called the lung of the world, Argentina has the lofty Andes, including the highest peak in South America, and the rugged Patagonia, which some regard as the most … Continue reading

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Charms and challenges of “rainbow nation” – III

South of Cape Town, Chapman’s Peak Drive is one of the most spectacular drives in the world.  This 9-kilometre road with 114 curveswinds along the Atlantic Coast, between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, near the south-western tip of South Africa. Rising … Continue reading

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Charms and challenges of “rainbow nation” – II

But my excitement at reaching “God’s Window” after a long drive followed by a steep climb quickly turned into disappointment.  For some reason – and I hope it had nothing to do with me – God had pulled the curtains.

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Charms and challenges of “rainbow nation” – I

Spread over an area of 19,485 square kilometres, the park extends 360 km from north to south and 65 km from east to west, being 90 km wide at its widest point. Which makes this sanctuary for wild animals larger … Continue reading

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Swaziland – tradition, autocracy and corruption – II

A police spokeswoman said that women make it easier for rapists by wearing mini-skirts. “The act of the rapist is made easy because it would be easy to remove the half-cloth worn by the women,” she said.

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Swaziland – tradition, autocracy and corruption – I

Ever since first reading, many long years ago, about the traditional dance ceremony where the Swazi king selects a new bride to join his harem, I had been fascinated by this obscure and exotic country.  But I found Swaziland to … Continue reading

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Starving billionaires, thriving despot

The ruling clique continues to harp on its role in the liberation war against colonialism and white minority rule, which ended in 1980, and squeeze it of every penny it is worth even after three decades of independence. The former … Continue reading

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The “Smoke that Thunders”

In the hierarchy of waterfalls, Victoria Falls ranks at the very top, perhaps second only to Iguazu Falls in South America. The spray from the falls is visible from 20 km away, reason why it is called Mosi-Oa-Tunya in the … Continue reading

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Swahili, slavery, socialism and superstition – IV

There is such strong belief in the magical powers of albino flesh that albino men, women and children are hunted down for their body parts. In Tanzania, an albino body part fetches $3,000, a full body or a full set … Continue reading

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